A milestone for the Mediterranean: 100,000 posidonia shoots replanted in the Balearic Islands alongside the Vellmarí Association
This historic achievement marks over five years of continuous work restoring the Balearic archipelago's underwater meadows. As one of the foundational projects driven by the Bluewave Alliance with ongoing support from ISDIN since day one, the initiative proves that long-term commitment turns purpose into real impact.
At the Bluewave Alliance, we have reached a deeply meaningful milestone in our marine ecosystem restoration journey: the replanting of 100,000 shoots of Posidonia oceanica in the waters of the Balearic Islands. This accomplishment comes after more than five years of continuous effort alongside the Vellmarí Association, led by marine biologist, explorer, and Bluewave ambassador Manu San Félix.
This moment holds special significance for the Alliance as one of the very first projects we brought to life. Thanks to the sustained support of ISDIN, who backed the initiative from its inception under their Love Your Planet commitment, the project has grown exponentially, demonstrating how strong, long-term partnerships drive tangible environmental transformation.
The blue lung of the Mediterranean Sea
Posidonia oceanica is an endemic Mediterranean seagrass that serves as a vital ecological cornerstone: it is an essential sanctuary for hundreds of marine species, a natural barrier protecting coastlines from erosion, and one of the planet's most efficient carbon sinks. A single square meter of posidonia can store up to ten times more $CO_2$ than the Amazon rainforest while producing nearly 20 liters of oxygen daily.
"Every posidonia shoot we plant recovers a piece of the Mediterranean, but above all, it connects a person to the sea," highlights Manu San Félix regarding the project's reach, which has engaged over 8,000 participants and trained younger generations through efforts like the Dive Camp.
The restoration relies on an underwater gardening method where naturally detached rhizome fragments are carefully secured to support forks on the seabed. This technique ensures root anchorage while allowing research teams to track meadow density and local biodiversity recovery over time.
Reaching 100,000 replanted shoots fuels our determination to keep working on the ground, proving that through solid alliances, regenerating our seas is entirely possible.
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