Volunteers recover Posidonia in Llançà for replanting after storms
Around thirty people participate in an initiative by the Submon entity to restore this protected species on Les Canyelles beach.
By Pere Roca Soler
••2 min read
IA
Image of Posidonia seagrass bundles on Les Canyelles beach in Llançà.
Around thirty volunteers have recovered bundles of Posidonia seagrass on Les Canyelles beach in Llançà, after storms washed them ashore, in an initiative by the Submon entity to replant this protected marine species.
The action, organized by Submon, has allowed the collection of dozens of bundles of this marine plant, essential for the Mediterranean ecosystem. The recovered specimens will be selected by the entity's technicians, who will be responsible for replanting them in the coming days. It is estimated that up to five years will be needed to verify if the plants root correctly and develop.
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"When there is a storm, the movement of the water is intense, and species like Posidonia slow down this force. This causes some specimens to be uprooted."
Before diving, participants received a detailed explanation of Posidonia's ecological role and the characteristics of Albera, the natural area where the beach is located. Equipped with wetsuits and diving gear, the volunteers worked to recover the uprooted bundles, aiming to facilitate the replanting task for technicians authorized by the Generalitat.
Posidonia is a key species in climate change mitigation, thanks to its ability to capture and store carbon dioxide in the sediment, as well as oxygenate the water. It also acts as a habitat and food source for numerous marine species, especially in their juvenile stages. It is an endemic plant of the Mediterranean, whose disappearance would have global consequences.
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"It is a very slow-growing plant, and therefore its recovery is also slow. Actions like this Sunday's serve to replant in specific spots and also to raise awareness among the local population about the importance of this plant."
This initiative is part of the European Blue Connect project, which seeks to improve the management of marine protected areas. In the context of the Albera Marítima, Submon's project aligns with the proposal of the municipalities of Llançà, Colera, and Portbou to create a natural park that includes the marine area of this stretch of the Costa Brava, combining ecological restoration with community involvement.