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Examples of activities conducted: observation of the erosion of Mallorca’s beaches, the SASEMAR
agreement (Servicio de Emergencia en el mar), meteorological forecasting to identify the state of
halieutic resources (Bluefin tuna, jelly fish, sea turtles, mammals), coastal pedology, survey of pollution
from the mainland, providing data for hotel chains, sea traffic and maritime safety. Data are also
used for recreation (surfing), fishing and research purposes. SOCIB is connected to satellite systems:
GALILEO, IRRIDIUM satellite communication and the COPERNICUS programme.
SOCIB has been identified by UNEP as an example of good practice. It is part of the new “Medclic: the
Mediterranean in one click” programme, developed in cooperation with Fundación Caixa. “Medclic”
has the dual objectives of promoting research and bringing the benefits of new marine and coastal
observation technologies to society.
Website for the initiative: http://www.socib.eu
Website for Medclic: http://www.medclic.es/en/

6.3 Protection and study of marine meadows

In the Egadi Islands, the Ge.Ri.N Project (Natural Resource Management Project) carried out by ENEA
(the Italian Environmental Agency) with the support of the MPA, focuses on many environmental
matrices of potential interest, such as ground water and the coastline. They have a strong impact on
the flow of tourists, the accommodation capacity of small islands and sustainable development.
The Egadi Islands’ natural resources and distinctive landscape are in fact the key to the economic
development of the archipelago, which is heavily dependent on tourism. Their conservation is
therefore fundamental. The project’s tasks are based on the study of coasts and seabed, hydrogeology
and the epidemiological study of the territory. Particular attention has been paid to the management
of marine sediments and vegetable beached biomass (the “posidonia banquette”), in order to use
them for environmental conservation and compost production.
Posidonia oceanica (commonly known as Neptune Grass or Mediterranean tapeweed) is a species of
seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It forms large underwater meadows that are an important
part of the ecosystem. Posidonia is considered to be “the lung of the sea”, since 1m2 of the seagrass
produces 1.2 litres of oxygen, more than 1m2 of Amazonian forest. The seagrass also mitigates the
effect of erosion along the coastline. The fruit is free floating and known in Italy as “the olive of the
sea” (l’oliva di mare). Balls of fibrous material from its foliage (known as egagropili) wash up on nearby
shorelines.
The largest expanse of posidonia in the Mediterranean is in the Egadi. The MPA is currently working
with the Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” to develop outdoor furniture made from foliage.
An awareness-raising project will be implemented in order to explain the importance of posidonia to
tourists.

6.4 Rescue centre for Sea Turtles and Monk Seal Observatory

A centre has been established on Favignana and provides first aid for injured sea turtles. The centre
also operates as a seal observatory. The main work of rescuing and returning sea turtles to their proper
environment occurs elsewhere, but the process begins here.
The centre has a facility for small operations - preparing the sea turtles for transport to a rehabilitation
centre. The rehabilitation centre itself is on Lampedusa (where the turtles are brought via Agrigento).
Many sea turtles that have swallowed plastic bags or been injured in other ways have to be transported
from Agrigento to Lampedusa by plane. The turtles found around Favignana have to travel back from
Lampedusa as they must be released in the same place that they were collected.
Various sponsors and programmes have financed the centre, such as the LIFE+ Tartalife project, the
Ministry of Environment, Federparchi, and private sponsors – the largest of which is the Rio Mare
company – which have also sponsored the monk seal and bollards project. The monk seal centre at
Marettimo (Punta Troia castle) is an observatory, as monk seals prefer to avoid people.

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