Our current projects

Posidonia oceanica

Annual measurement of growth and density of the seagrass. Collection of data on the diversity and abundance of species present within this habitat.

Posidonia oceanica seagrass is an important habitat as it serves as a nursery for fish and many benthic species. It also protects the sandy bays by forming a natural reef which traps sand and calms wave action upon the shore.

As well as providing an important habitat for a great variety of marine species, seagrasses play a role in protecting our planet from the increasing build up of carbon dioxide. They act as a “carbon sink”, just like land-based plants, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thereby helping to slow down the effects of global warming.

Posidonia oceanica is a very slow growing seagrass which depends on clear water in order to grow and flower. Once it grew across the oceans of the equatorial regions but has only survived in the Mediterranean and southern Australia.

In the same way as the rainforests, seagrass meadows are threatened by mans’ insatiable need to expand, build and consume. Despite its protected status Posidonia oceanica is increasingly being destroyed directly by trawler-fishing, the building of new marinas and seaside complexes, and careless pleasure-boat anchoring. However, the greatest threat comes from land-based sources of pollution and especially nutrient loading into the sea from agricultural land and from fish-farms.

Plans have been approved for a fish farm in the Bay of Roses, with the potential to release excess nutrients which will threaten the Posidonia meadows over a wide area.

By observing and analysing the growth of this protected seagrass habitat and surveying fish populations, you will be helping to find the best ways to protect marine life and habitats from the dangers of increased tourism and human negligence.

Please look at the following page to familiarise yourself with some of the species found within the Posidonia ecosystem.

Fish surveys:

Diversity and abundance survey of fish species observed during a dive.

Detailed surveys of specific families of fishes, e.g. Syngnathidae (seahorses and pipefish), Blenniidae (blennies).

In addition to our seagrass monitoring and fish surveys, we regularly clean up any discarded fishing line or other non-biodegradable items that we encounter.

Eco-Dive volunteers normally do two dives per day for five days a week, so you will have two days to relax or get involved in some of the many other activities the area offers.

A schedule is established each week so that you can plan your time. The schedule will vary depending on the time of year, the weather, and the number of volunteers on the project.

Eco-Dive volunteers are met at Girona airport or a local railway station, depending on their mode of travel, and are collected for each day of Eco-Diving/training.

Eco-Divers are accommodated in clean and comfortable self-catering apartments where they share facilities with other volunteers. Bed linen is provided. Optional bathroom towel bales can be hired to reduce baggage weight.

The accommodation is self-catering, with full cooking facilities and local supermarkets nearby. Eating out in Spain is relatively cheap and the local cuisine is excellent. For example, it is still possible, in L’Escala, to buy a three course meal with wine and water for only 8.50 €uros. There are many restaurants and within easy reach of the accommodation.

Dive equipment can be hired or purchased at discounted rates.

APARTMENT SANTA ANNA MAGDA PARK BONA TUALA Price €uros pppw 248 298 343 Group Discounts    3+ 5%, 5+ 10% * * * Swimming Pool * *   Garden * * * Bed Linen * * * Optional Towel Bales €10.00 pp * * * Washing Machine * *   Unlimited Eco-Diving * * * Air + Weights * * * Eco-training * * * Survey tools * * * Local Dive Guide * * * Daily Transfers * * * Airport (Girona) Transfers * * * Option - PADI Open Water Course and Eco-diving (Two weeks) 756 806 851

(Towel Bale = 1 bath towel, 1 hand towel and a flannel)

FOR AVAILABILITY CHECK OUR CALENDAR HERE

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We encourage our divers to collect any rubbish they discover whilst diving. Each September we take part in the annual PADI Project Aware clean up campaigns.

 Irish and Belgian volunteers with rubbish collected.

It is quite amazing what volunteers find. In 2006 - apart from lots of fishing line and a fish that was released from a hook - we found 30 plastic bottles, 35 cans, an anchor, a sunken buoy and 40 meters of chain, an outboard motor, a bike, a chair, a mask, fins and snorkel set complete with its carrying bag, a fishing rod, and several pairs of sunglasses - which were modelled underwater! 

Even if you are not into counting fish, please help our marine conservation efforts by coming to help with our clean up operations.