Unveiling of UICN Med and OMODA&JAECOO Partnership: Marine Grassland Conservation Initiative in Cabo de Gata, Mediterranean Launch, July 03, 2025
The Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar, located in Almería, Spain, was the venue for the launch of a new conservation project on July 2. This initiative, a collaborative effort between IUCN Med and OMODA&JAECOO, aims to protect and restore Posidonia oceanica meadows, a vital seagrass species crucial to the Mediterranean marine ecosystem.
The project's objectives include supporting the conservation and restoration of Posidonia oceanica, enhancing local environmental protection efforts, raising awareness about the importance of seagrass meadows for biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration, and involving community engagement and stakeholder collaboration for long-term stewardship and effective conservation actions.
Marine biologist, science communicator, and content creator Charlie Sarria participated in the event, contributing to raising awareness of marine conservation. Mercedes Muñoz Cañas, the coordinator of the marine program at the Mediterranean Cooperation Center, and Marianna Cherubini, the director of Marketing at OMODA & JAECOO, were also in attendance.
The first volunteer activity for the project took place on the same day, focusing on the protection of Posidonia oceanica in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar. A boat departure of the OMODA&JAECOO team was recorded to explore the meadows of Posidonia oceanica within the park. A photo was taken of the first volunteer activity by the Asociación Hombre y Territorio.
This joint initiative represents a strategic partnership to address environmental challenges in one of Spain’s most valuable marine protected areas, aiming to secure the ecological integrity of Posidonia meadows in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The collaboration project is part of a global agreement between the website and the Chery group, aiming to promote nature conservation under the slogan "Cherish Nature."
The Andalusian coast has been identified as a priority zone for action due to the ecological relevance of its Posidonia oceanica meadows and growing threats. The project is under the supervision of the Andalusian Government and the authorities of the natural park, aiming to become an example for new public-private alliances committed to marine conservation.
This new project marks the beginning of a series of activities planned for 2025, 2026, and 2027, including the installation of ecological moorings, co-management agreements, blue financing mechanisms, awareness-raising and communication actions, and training workshops. These actions are in addition to the various initiatives already underway by regional and local administrations for the conservation of the Andalusian coastline.
The launch event and subsequent activities are significant steps towards the protection and restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar, contributing to the preservation of marine biodiversity and the resilience of the coastline to climate change.
- Mercedes Muñoz Canàs, during the launch event, spoke about the importance of environmental science, particularly in relation to climate-change, as the project aims to protect Posidonia oceanica meadows, a vital seagrass species in the Mediterranean marine ecosystem.
- In alignment with the project's objectives, sustainable-living practices are encouraged, as the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and coastal protection – enhancements that can positively impact home-and-garden and lifestyle choices.
- The launch of this conservation project also signals a commitment towards long-term stewardship, with collaboration between IUCN Med and OMODA&JAECOO, and community engagement, as part of an ongoing effort to maintain the ecological integrity of the Posidonia meadows in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar, contributing to the broader field of environmental-science and marine conservation.
