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Date Published: 16/12/2024

Cartagena Port expands Posidonia seagrass reforestation to fight climate change

The underwater Posidonia meadows are thriving in a pioneering sustainability project

The Port Authority of Cartagena is scaling up its ambitious Posidonia oceanica reforestation project following the success of initial trials. This initiative, launched in 2021, aims to restore meadows of this vital Mediterranean seagrass, known for its role in preserving marine biodiversity and storing carbon.

The pilot phase, conducted near Tajo de los Cuervos and Cala Cortina, involved planting 150 Posidonia fragments. After two years of monitoring, survival rates reached 69% at the first site and 98% at the second. Encouraged by these results, the port is now planning to expand the project by planting 6,400 new fragments over the next four years, covering one hectare of seabed—a 42-fold increase.

Posidonia meadows are essential for marine ecosystems, supporting over 1,400 plant and animal species, filtering seawater and storing organic carbon. They are also a key indicator of water quality, but populations have dwindled in recent years.

The process of replanting them involves collecting naturally uprooted Posidonia fragments during winter storms from areas between La Algameca and Cabo Tiñoso. Divers and scientists select and transport these fragments underwater to a preparation site at Santa Lucía dock. Here, the cuttings are placed in metal baskets coated with beeswax before being replanted in chosen areas, ensuring minimal disturbance to the marine environment.

The selected planting zones, including seabeds with sand, gravel, and dead Posidonia, provide optimal conditions for the seagrass to thrive. Transparency and water depth are also critical factors, enabling photosynthesis and growth.

This project positions Cartagena as a leader in sustainable port management. Developed with Laboratorios Munuera, a specialist in port water quality, the initiative builds on their success in the Balearic Islands, where survival rates exceeded 90%.

The Port Authority’s efforts have earned accolades, including the XIV Corresponsables Award and recognition from the European Ports Organisation and UN Global Compact Spain.

Pedro Pablo Hernández, president of the Port Authority of Cartagena, emphasised the project’s importance in combating climate change and reducing the port’s carbon footprint. The reforestation will span nearly two hectares, extending from the Escombreras dock to Cala Cortina.

Image: CARM

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