CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE PONTA DO ADOXE SEAGRASS MEADOW

Promote the Ponta do Adoxe seagrass meadow as a natural aquarium for the discovery of seagrass meadows.

Recognition of the Ponta do Adoxe seagrass meadow as a symbol of marine forest preservation and inclusion in the Natura 2000 Network.

START:
MaY 2021

END:
ONGOING

The conservation and restoration project for the Ponta do Adoxe seagrass meadow, in the Sado estuary, addresses two issues: the lack of recognition of the seagrass's value in marine reforestation and the absence of management in regulating its services, uses, and threats. In the early years of the project, we created scientific knowledge to characterize and monitor the seagrass meadow; we developed a recommendation to the government to include the seagrass in the Natura 2000 Network, promoted awareness of the importance of the seagrass ecosystem services to turists, the educational community, and decision-makers; we raised awareness among the maritime community, fishermen, and maritime-tourism companies about the best voluntary practices for navigation and management in the seagrass meadow. The impact of this work now allows us to collaborate with decision-making entities on the management of the seagrass's uses and threats, promote the sponsorship of entities and the educational community for its conservation and monitoring, and play a stronger role in influencing government and European entities to grant the seagrass protection status.

FUNDING:

An Ocean Alive’s initiative co-financed by th European Union, under the project LIFE23-NAT-PT-RESTORESEAGRASS, and by the Grândola City Council and by Continente Eco (2021-2023).

Recommendation – Preservation of the Ponta do Adoxe seagrass meadow and inclusion in the Natura 2000 Network (in Portuguese).

Flyer and Poster – Best Navigation Practices to Protect Seagrass Meadows.

Framework within the Sustainable Development Goals.