Marine ecosystems undergo restoration through seaweed transplantation in Mexico and Spain

Marine conservation efforts are underway in Mexico and Spain to restore vital underwater ecosystems through seaweed and seagrass transplantation.

In Baja California, Mexico, scientists and local fishermen are collaborating to transplant giant kelp to expand underwater forests. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which threatens marine biodiversity and local fishing economies. The project involves divers moving fertile kelp specimens to new locations using cement-filled anchors to encourage natural spore release and regeneration.

In Mallorca, Spain, the Cleanwave Foundation organized a volunteer effort in Alcanada to collect over a thousand fragments of posidonia. Approximately 500 of these fragments were selected for replanting in the bay of Portocolom as part of the MedGardens Portocolom project. This effort is part of a broader goal to restore eight shallow bays in Mallorca by 2030 to improve marine resilience against global environmental changes.