The ECOAQUA Institute of the ULPGC participates in the project, which seeks to improve the health of marine ecosystems, increase carbon sequestration and preserve biodiversity
With this initiative, Tenerife becomes a global testing ground to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative artificial reefs and regenerative aquaculture methods as new tools that contribute to the recovery of marine ecosystems
The Ocean Citizen project members gathered last October on the island of Tenerife to initiate some experiments on Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (AMTI) and environmental monitoring. In this project, funded by the Horizon Europe program and led by the University of Salento (Lecce-Italia), 21 members from 10 different European countries are involved. On the Canary Islands side, the Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (ECOAQUA) of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) and the company Cultivos Marinos Teide, which is a collaborating entity of the project, are participating.
The ULPGC receives from this European project a total of 547.375 euros to carry out its task research work, and two groups of the ECOAQUA Institute participate in it, the Aquaculture Research Group, through Gercende Courtois De Viçose specialized in Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (AMTI), and the Biodiversity and Conservation group (BIOCON), through Professor Ricardo Haroun and researcher Francisco Otero Ferrer.
The Ocean Citizen project, which will be developed over four years, from 2023 to 2027, covers a wide range of activities, including the assessment of geological, biological, physical, chemical and environmental factors, the construction and deployment of restoration structures, and ongoing monitoring. Moreover, it involves estimating the economic and social benefits that these restorative actions can bring.
The objective of the technical meeting which took place recently at the company Cultivos Marinos Teide, located in the Port of los Cristianos, and in which researcher Gercende Courtois de Viçose was present, was to strengthen ties between some of the members involved in the project and to share information as part of the evaluation, execution and follow-up efforts of the work packages to be carried out.
During the meeting, the existing marine aquaculture biodiversity in the study area, the design and planning of the implementation of AMTI activities and the installation of sensors to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of restoration activities were assessed. Throughout this year and next, field visits and periodic technical meetings will be held to monitor AMTI biomass production of various species and associated environmental parameters linked to biomass production.
About the Ocean Citizen project
The overall goal of the Ocean Citizen initiative is to implement regenerative programs and restorative aquaculture operations using ecoengineering techniques such as Smart Enhanced Reefs (SER) and Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (AMTI). This approach aims to promote ecosystem health, enhance carbon sequestration, develop sustainable production systems and preserve biodiversity. These actions are carefully designed to merge ecological objectives with social engagement, ultimately improving the resilience of local communities and diversifying economic benefits.
Ocean Citizen focuses on the study of marine forests, one of the ecosystems most damaged by human activity, which include grasses, algae, sponges, corals and gorgonians. Marine forests are usually located close to the coast- where almost 70% of the world’s population lives- which makes them more vulnerable than other ocean ecosystems. Threats come from both coastal exploitation and coastal modification in Spain. But marine forests are not only coastal. In fact, in the Canary Islands there are other marine forests also in the depths, such as the large extensions of black coral found at depths of more than 40 meters. Hence, this project will be developed both on land and in shallow, mesophotic areas and even continental shelves (90-100 meters deep)
AMTI, a form of aquaculture, combines two or more functional groups of organisms, from different trophic levels, that are connected through streams of nutrients. This strategy takes advantage of the ecosystem services provided by organisms from lower trophic levels (such as shellfish and algae), farmed in appropriate proportions, to mitigate the impacts of organisms from higher trophic levels (such as fish). This production system promotes efficient use of resources, helps reduce environmental impact, and supports regenerative efforts by diversifying the species produced.
More information: Beatriz Díaz – beatriz@mandarinacomunicacion.es – 620410871