Entity responsible for the project:
Tarragona Port Authority and Ocean Ecostructures SL.
Project description:
The Port Authority of Tarragona together with Ocean Ecostructures SL, a specialist in the development of regenerative technology, have carried out the installation and monitoring of the colonization of eight regeneration structures (Life Boosting Units – LBU) in the Port of Tarragona.
These biotopes are specifically designed to be installed on the docks of the Port, transforming them into active agents for the recovery of marine flora and fauna. The structures have been installed in three specific areas of the port: the Costa Dock, the Rioja Dock and the Andalusia Dock.
Through Bio Boosting System (BBS) regeneration technology, they function as fully functional and resilient small reefs that allow the natural functioning of these marine structures to be replicated through:
- Microfauna attraction system.
- Natural substrate to maximise the natural anchorage of benthic species.
- Space to take refuge and use to reproduce.
The BBS system allows monitoring and follow-up through a mobile application, with which the evolution of environmental benefits can be shared with the public.
The project is part of the actions designed in the Port of Tarragona Sustainability Plan and with this initiative the Port joins as a collaborator the SEAREG project, focused on the large-scale regeneration of the Mediterranean through the transformation of port infrastructures into eco-proactive agents.
Objective of the project:
The main objective of the project is to take advantage of the infrastructures of the Port of Tarragona’s own docks in an innovative way to regenerate marine biodiversity with the colonization and ecological succession of the “Life Boosting Units” (LBU) installed. These structures are designed to increase marine biodiversity, providing a safe habitat for various marine species, thus facilitating their reproduction and growth.
In the long term, these structures are expected to provide a healthier environment for marine life and improve the environmental quality of the port, which is why the Tarragona Port Authority is studying the possibility of installing more LBUs in the port area.
Expected benefits of innovation:
Increase in marine biodiversity and regeneration of marine spaces in the Port of Tarragona, with the corresponding increase in CO2 fixation that will contribute to the fight against climate change.
The continuous monitoring of these structures that has been carried out so far has made it possible to verify that biodiversity has increased in the areas of the port where they have been installed.
This action aims to regenerate marine natural capital and, at the same time, have a positive impact on the regeneration and reforestation of the sea, the reduction and early detection of invasive species, achieve a biodiversity ‘bank’, increase marine biomass, reduce pollution and recover the capacity to capture CO2 and generate oxygen.
Featured images of the monitoring of LBUs:
Illustration 1: Count of the number of species found in the Port of Tarragona. Indicated, in blue, the biodiversity of the LBUs and, in turquoise, that of the walls, which acts as a control sampling. Species data are observed through plate methodology and visualization of recordings with ROV.
Project information links:
Publication date:
July 24th, 2024
