Before going deeper into ResCap, a marine conservation programme that takes place in Cap de Creus (Girona), we would like to introduce you to the protagonists, the Gorgonians.
What are gorgonians?
Gorgonians, also known as sea fans because of the shapes their branching structures create, are octocorals. Sadly, many people think that gorgonians are marine plants because of their appearance, when in fact they are colonies of animals that form these structures commonly referred to as soft corals.
Gorgonians are found on rocky surfaces between 10m and 100m deep. Considered one of the main habitat-generating species of the deep Mediterranean Sea, they create extensive underwater forests of great value for marine ecosystems.
What are the threats to gorgonian populations?
Climate change, rising water temperatures, dumping of toxic substances in the sea or invasive algal species are some of the threats to gorgonians. But the main threat to these soft corals in the Mediterranean is by-catch, as their branching forms are easily entangled in fishing nets and pulled up from the seabed. This is a serious damage to marine health and biodiversity, as they are long-lived species with very slow growth and late sexual maturity.
To try to minimise this impact, a programme has been designed to conserve these marine ecosystems formed by the gorgonian meadows that fill the seabed of the Costa Brava with life and colour.
ResCap - Scientists and fishermen join forces to protect the seabed of Cap de Creu.
RESCAP is a Benthic Suspension Feeder research group pioneering the conservation and recovery of gorgonians with a double impact on the health of the seas. This project began in May 2018 and thanks to the team of researchers from the Institute of Marine Sciences of Barcelona (ICM-CSIC) and the cooperation with the fishermen's guilds of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués, the team of biologists manages to recover the gorgonians that have become entangled in fishing nets to later return them to protected areas.
How is it possible to conserve Mediterranean gorgonians?
The recovery process of the gorgonians after being rescued from fishing nets consists of checking their condition by keeping them in cold water tanks, fixing the fragments on boulders and finally releasing them from boats. The gorgonians successfully return to their new home at a depth of 65/80 metres, sliding like a badminton ball and surprisingly landing on their feet thanks to the weight to which they are attached.
Gorgonians have the capacity to reproduce asexually and through the fragmentation technique they manage to reintroduce a greater number of specimens. In this way, they not only minimise the impact caused by fishing, but also contribute to an increase in the population of these octocorals.
Very favourable and encouraging results
After monitoring the released gorgonians with a remote-controlled submarine, they have been able to corroborate the success of the ResCap programme with a survival rate of more than 85% of the gorgonians. For further analysis and data collection, each year they paint the gorgonian support in a different colour to be able to differentiate them.
A double objective: to conserve and raise awareness.
In addition to the success in the recovery of gorgonians in the Cap de Creus, the team of scientists involved in this project tell us about the surprising degree of awareness that fishermen have acquired since they started collaborating with ResCap and their greater involvement and concern in minimising the impact of their fishing activity.
How can you contribute to the conservation of Mediterranean gorgonians?
Alongside is committed to the health of our seas, and we want you to be part of the change. With the new line of solidarity jewellery we contribute 15% of the proceeds to ResCap, and thus contribute our bit to protect the gorgonians.(Find out more)