More Biodiversity: First Results from Marbella's Micro-Reefs

José Carlos García

Marbella

The marine renaturalization plan promoted by the Virgen del Carmen Sports Port in Marbella, through the installation of six biomimetic structures inspired by natural reefs, has begun to yield positive results in the recovery of biodiversity within the port enclosure. During an informative session with students from IES Sierra Blanca, attended by the mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, the technical team has confirmed the appearance and colonization of various species of microfauna and marine organisms.

Muñoz indicated that these micro-reefs, called 'Life Boosting Units', "are systems that perform periodic scientific monitoring, evaluating the evolution of the species associated with these structures, and analyzing environmental indicators linked to the quality of the marine environment." The monitoring is carried out using ROV technology, "underwater drones with analysis tools, which allow documenting the colonization process and studying the impact of these nature-based solutions within port infrastructures." The mayor emphasized that the dissemination of this "pioneering project" combining sustainability, innovation, and science "is fundamental to raising awareness about the importance of protecting and recovering our marine ecosystems."

Sustainability Strategy

The director of the port, Carlos Romero, pointed out that the installation of these biomimetic structures "represents a significant step in the environmental sustainability strategy of the port" and that the initial results obtained "confirm that nature-based solutions can be successfully integrated into port infrastructures, generating a positive and tangible impact on marine biodiversity."

The director of the Virgen del Carmen Sports Port stated that the goal "is not only to improve the ecosystem within the port enclosure but also to turn this space into a benchmark for blue innovation and responsible coexistence between human activity and marine conservation." Thus, he advanced that the scientific monitoring will continue over the coming months "to assess the evolution of the colonizing species and continue gathering information that allows expanding this type of sustainable solutions to other port spaces."

• More topics
• IES
• Marbella
• María Ángeles Muñoz Uriol
• Sustainability