The Bluewave Alliance drives the Sponge-Port project to renature port environments using sea sponges and artificial intelligence
The initiative is taking place at Port Marina Palamós alongside Ocean Ecostructures and CEAB-CSIC, made possible through the support of ISDIN and the Fundació Banc Sabadell. Through the pre-seeding of local species such as Chondrosia reniformis, the pilot project aims to purify coastal waters and turn degraded artificial structures into true havens for biodiversity.
.JPG)
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.
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.
Related content
Science, education, and ocean literacy at the annual European Marine Science Educators' Association 2026 Conference
The Bluewave Alliance supported and actively participated in the European gathering held in Barcelona to promote ocean literacy. During the sessions, key children's outreach projects such as "Peques por el mar" and the children's book "Keni, la pequeña ballena" were presented, highlighting early childhood education as a crucial pillar for Mediterranean conservation.
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.
Community in action on World Cleanup Day: over 1,300 cigarette butts and 18 kg of waste removed to fight invisible pollution
A new beach cleanup led by the Bluewave Alliance and ISDIN mobilized volunteers along the coast once again for World Cleanup Day. In just over an hour of coordinated work, the team removed over 18.5 kg of waste and more than 1,300 cigarette butts, highlighting the threat posed by small-scale waste contaminating beaches and marine ecosystems.
Mission Talbot explores the Talbot Bank, a Mediterranean underwater refuge supported by the Bluewave Alliance
Led by researchers and filmmakers Andrea and Marco Spinelli, this scientific campaign analyzed a seamount located between Sicily and Tunisia. Following the expedition, initial observations reveal an ecosystem with low human pressure, abundant biodiversity, and an exceptionally preserved food web.
.jpeg)
The Bluewave Alliance and Olivia Mandle premiere the Searching for HOPE audiovisual project to highlight marine conservation success in Turkey
This new outreach initiative journeys through the Marine Protected Areas of Gökova and Datça-Bozburun alongside the Mediterranean Conservation Society (Akdeniz Koruma Dernği), led by Zafer Kizilkaya. The first two installments of this nine-part short video series are now available, demonstrating that Mediterranean regeneration is an achievable reality.
