Port environments along the Mediterranean coast mark a new milestone in ecological restoration with the launch of Sponge-Port, a pioneering marine research effort led by the Bluewave Alliance in collaboration with Ocean Ecostructures and the Blanes Centre for Advanced Studies (CEAB-CSIC). The 12-month project, located at Port Marina Palamós, is brought to life thanks to the crucial backing and support of ISDIN and the Fundació Banc Sabadell, two organizations deeply committed to innovation and positive marine impact.

Sea sponges stand out as extraordinary bioremediation agents capable of filtering thousands of liters of water per day. Throughout this process, they purify microbial loads and release essential nutrients that reactivate the marine food web. Sponge-Port harnesses these natural capabilities by focusing on the species Chondrosia reniformis, utilizing experimental substrates designed to facilitate its attachment and settlement on port structures.

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Technical innovation and Artificial Intelligence monitoring

One of the most advanced aspects of the initiative lies in combining laboratory techniques with cutting-edge technology in the aquatic environment. The initial pre-seeding and installation phase is complemented by an underwater morphometric tracking system guided by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This tool allows non-invasive, real-time analysis of growth, reproduction rates, and ecosystem regeneration capacity at a microhabitat scale.

Sponge-Port’s ultimate goal goes beyond improving water quality in Palamós. The initiative aims to generate scientific evidence and a standardized methodology proving that port infrastructure can cease to be lifeless areas and instead transform into genuine engines for biodiversity, serving as a replicable model for other locations across the Mediterranean coast.