Regenerating Marine Life: A Step Towards More Vibrant Ports
Ocean Ecostructures, in collaboration with Bluewave Alliance and ICM-CSIC, is driving a pioneering project to restore marine biodiversity in the Port of Barcelona. The pilot project applies innovative technology to regenerate gorgonian communities in port environments.
At Bluewave Alliance, we are proud to share the latest developments from the Marine Biodiversity Regeneration Pilot Project, being carried out by Ocean Ecostructures and the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) under the SEAREG project.
This initiative was born with a clear purpose: to preserve and restore benthic communities that could be impacted by future construction works in port environments. To achieve this, the Life Boosting Unit (LBU) technology developed by Ocean Ecostructures is being applied, enabling the scaling of restoration techniques for emblematic species like gorgonians.
Key Project Developments:
- Installation of six LBU units at the North Entrance of the Port of Barcelona.
- Various phases of installation of Leptogorgia sarmentosa fragments, starting in December 2023 and scheduled through May 2025.
- Validation of the gorgonian attachment system with a 77.3% success rate.
- Development of new planting systems that do not require human intervention, allowing for a more agile and scalable implementation.
- Continuous monitoring of individual survival and growth.
This pilot project represents a significant milestone in the ecological transformation of port environments, providing real and sustainable solutions for the recovery of marine biodiversity. We will continue moving forward with determination to regenerate life in our seas.
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