If you have any questions, you can contact her by email (rosafreitas@ua.pt) or find her in the office 8.3.52. 

One of the articles that inspired us for this topic addresses how, in a study region in Brazil, local fishermen who practice traditional fishing arts were approached and deal with this problem daily, and how they have observed changes in the regularity with which these nets are found in the areas used by them for generations. It is also interesting how most of the traps found are nets used to catch a species that is protected and whose capture is prohibited, thus also highlighting how these nets, in addition to damaging the environment when abandoned, also allow the detection of illegal practices, something that in itself also raises awareness among local fishermen who, by complying with the law and knowing the ecosystem they have at hand, intend to see it corrected with sanctions for defaulters and the preservation of the environment that provides them with sustenance.

The other article that inspired us proved to be a way to recognize that this is a global problem, taking us to the Australian coast where the so-called ghost nets also proved to be a problem, having been detected in this study of more than 15 years with records of the nets sighted and collected. It concluded that despite the human efforts of the population and authorities to combat illegal fishing and clean the coast of this and other types of marine pollution, these fishing materials have been increasingly detected in the waters of the region instead of a greater presence of them being presented, indicating that humans continue, in their fishing activities, abandoning the equipment used and overriding any attempts to combat this environmental problem by society, thus being a warning for the urgent fight and attention that ghost nets need to receive.

We will be focusing on Rugulopteryx okamurae, Caulerpa prolifera and Sargassum muticum. These species have rapidly spread across European waters, including the Iberian Peninsula, due to human activities such as maritime transport and aquaculture.

Their expansion represents a major ecological concern, as these algae can outcompete native species, alter marine habitats, and disrupt local biodiversity. In addition, they can have economic impacts on fisheries, tourism, and coastal management by accumulating on beaches and affecting ecosystem services.

The choice of this topic is especially relevant today because invasive species are a growing global problem intensified by climate change and globalization. Understanding their biology, spread, and ecological consequences is crucial for developing effective monitoring and management strategies to protect the Portuguese coastal ecosystems.

Tema: “ Rugulopteryx okamurae e os Desafios das Zonas Costeira”

We chose to focus on the Angel Shark (Squatina squatina)  since it is particularly interesting for conservation. It is a unique benthic predator that once lived widely along the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts but has now disappeared from most of its range due to fishing pressure, habitat loss, coastal development, and impacts of climate change. Protecting this species is important not only for preventing its extinction but also for maintaining the ecological balance of coastal ecosystems, where it plays a key role as a top predator and indicator of healthy benthic environments.

• Paper 1

Moura, P., Garaulet, L. L., Vasconcelos, P.,

Chainho, P., Costa, J. L., & Gaspar, M. B. (2017). Age and growth of a highly successful invasive species: the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850) in the Tagus Estuary (Portugal). Aquatic Invasions, 12(2), 133-146. https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2017.12.2.02

• Paper 2

Coelho, P., Carvalho, F., Goulding, T., Chainho, P., & Guerreiro, J. (2021). Management models of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) fisheries in invaded European coastal systems. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 685307.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.685307/full

• Paper 3

Moura, P., Vasconcelos, P., Pereira, F., Chainho, P., Costa, J. L., & Gaspar, M. B. (2018). Reproductive cycle of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum): an intensively harvested invasive species in the Tagus Estuary (Portugal). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 98(7), 1645-1657.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-association-of-the-united-kingdom/article/reproductive-cycle-of-the-manila-clam-ruditapes-philippinarum-an-intensively-harvested-invasive-species-in-the-tagus-estuary-portugal/538FD73D70562552D7B389E610F84016

Seagrass are ecosystem engineers, they provide key services like habitat and nursery grounds for fish and shellfish, aid with carbon sequestration  (“blue carbon”), the filtering of nutrients and sediments, therefore improving water quality and they also help with coastal protection. However, seagrass populations of the Portuguese coast are facing a dramatic decline in distribution due to climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. 

~Why specifically on zostera marina? 

We chose to talk about the Zostera Marina because it is classified as critically endangered according to the EU Red List of Habitats in Portugal. By focusing on this species, we can link global environmental issues to a local problem that needs action now. Zostera marina is a key species for coastal ecosystems, losing it would greatly affect marine life and the benefits these habitats provide. It also helps raise awareness about the damage happening to coastal habitats and the importance of protecting and studying them. Besides this research showed that during restoration efforts, the zostera marina had the most positive results compared to the three other native seagrass species in Europe which makes it an interesting and promising species to focus on.

O nosso grupo é constituido pela Maria Pereira (n.º 131260), Mariana Cardoso (n.º 130948) e pela Neiva Garcia (n.º 130580)

We are Inês Costa (131250) and Laura Biet (130883).

We chose to explore Zostera noltei meadows because they represent a key component of Portuguese coastal ecosystems, particularly the Ria de Aveiro. These seagrass meadows play a crucial role in sediment stabilization, biodiversity protection, and blue carbon sequestration, thus contributing to climate change mitigation. However, in recent decades, their extent has decreased significantly due to anthropogenic pressures and environmental changes.

O nosso grupo é constituido pela Beatriz Simoes nº 131160, Joana Martins nº131227, Catarina Bispo nº134807

O nosso grupo irá focar-se nos efeitos da poluição luminosa nos corais das espécies Stylophora pistillata, Acropora eurystoma e Pocillopora damicornis.🪸

Bibliografia:

• Ayalon, I., Marangoni, L. F. de B., Benichou, J. I. C., Avisar, D., & Levy, O. (2019). Red Sea corals under Artificial Light Pollution at Night (ALAN) undergo oxidative stress and photosynthetic impairment. Global Change Biology. (DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14795)

• Tamir, R., Eyal, G., Cohen, I., & Loya, Y. (2020). Effects of light pollution on the early life stages of the most abundant Northern Red Sea coral. Microorganisms, 8(2), Artigo 193 (DOI:10.3390/microorganisms8020193).

O nosso grupo é constituído pela Beatriz Ruivo n°113099, Miguel Raposo n°130869 e Ricardo Silva n°113098.

Tema - Degradação e perda dos recifes de bivalves.

Joana Muas 130439

Daniela Alvarado 130887

Clara Gomes 131284

Here is some general info for the visit:

- Meeting time (both days): 16:15h

- Adress: Porto de Pesca Costeira de Aveiro, Apartado 27, 3834-908 Gafanha da Nazaré - Ílhavo

Doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1324600

Under certain environmental and oceanographic conditions, macroalgae can overgrow and accumulate in massive quantities on beaches, causing serious ecological and economic impacts. To address this problem, a citizen science monitoring platform was created to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of macroalgae accumulations along the beaches of Algarve in southern Portugal, with the aim to assess the extent of beach-cast events and their relationship with abiotic factors.

Overall, the citizen science campaign effectively involved the public, leading to the collection of important data on monitoring macroalgae accumulations. Through these findings, it was possible to pinpoint the environmental, atmospheric, and hydrodynamic factors that contribute to their development, movement, and buildup along the Algarve coastlines.

Sargassum muticum is an invasive macroalga widely distributed along the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula. Despite being quite abundant from Norway to South Portugal, there is little information about its patterns of distribution, particularly at a large spatial scale. In this article it was examined the spatial variation in the invasion success of S. muticum from rockpools, how the richness of native assemblages was related to its invasion success and how this relationship changed over different scales.  Results suggest that small-scale (centimetres to metres) processes contribute considerably to the heterogeneity of S. muticum invasion success.

The invasive brown seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae was introduced in the Thau Lagoon in the Mediterranean in 2002, originating from the northwest Pacific. In this article, the species presence was reported for the first time, in the southwestern Portugal, where it develops massive amounts of biomass, causing high socioeconomic impacts. The species spread rate and its effects on the intertidal macroalgae community were investigated based on observations before and after the invasion.

Rugulopteryx okamurae is species of brown algae found on Asian coasts whose rapid growth prevents other species from developing, colonising most of the rocky substrate on the seabed and leading to a loss of biodiversity. It causes an unprecedented massive increase in biomass and affects local fauna, the landscape and beaches. The algae has applications in the pharmaceutical industry, for example, and there are plans to use it as compost and fertiliser in agriculture or even in bioconstruction.

The Government has approved the National Strategy for the Management of Invasive Macroalgae of Asian origin, which is spreading at an alarming rate along the country's coastline, especially in the Algarve and Cascais areas.

The species Rugulopteryx okamurae is thought to have appeared in 2015 in the Strait of Gibraltar as an invasive species. It appeared in the Azores four years later, probably arriving in the hulls of ships, and within a few years it had taken over habitats on rocky surfaces on the south coast of São Miguel. In 2021, it was detected in Faial. In Cascais, the invasive species appeared last year and, in four months, 2,000 tonnes of the species were removed from just two beaches.

The relevance of this topic lies in its potential to exemplify how human presence can have an impact on the development of a species and how difficult it is to rehabilitate said species. The mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is a marine mammal, which inhabits beaches and coastal zones. As a top predator, seals play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and the health of marine food webs.

We chose this topic due to its importance in marine ecosystems and because we wanted to compare the conservation trajectory of both populations at Madeira and Cabo Blanco. After conducting research, we came to the conclusion that presenting the work on Mediterranean monk seal conservation aligned perfectly with both the task proposed to this assignment and our personal interest in marine mammals conservation, which boosts our motivation to pursue this work.

We are Asssau Nhanque (Nº 129327), Beatriz Cruz (Nº 114152), Gonçalo Meireles (Nº 108886), and Margarida Delgado (Nº 113928), and we will focus on the ecological imbalance caused by bycatch in industrial fisheries, exploring its effects on biodiversity loss, trophic (food web) imbalance, and implications for the carbon cycle.

We chose this topic because industrial fishing has a major impact on marine ecosystems, and bycatch, the accidental capture of non-target species, is one of its most serious yet often overlooked effects. It harms the marine environment by reducing biodiversity and disrupting food chains. By removing key organisms, bycatch also affects the carbon cycle and lowers the ocean’s capacity to absorb CO₂. Studying this topic is important to understand and address the “invisible” impacts of bycatch on coastal ecosystems.

Komoroske, L. M., & Lewison, R. L. (2015). Addressing fisheries bycatch in a changing world. Frontiers in Marine Science, 2(83). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2015.00083

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2009.01.003

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.564805

This study shows that Posidonia oceanica from eutrophic areas is more vulnerable to heat and excess nutrients. In a controlled experiment, plants from these areas showed higher mortality and lower physiological performance. The combination of warming and eutrophication intensifies these negative effects, compromising the species' resilience.

This review article identifies eutrophication (nutrient accumulation) as a main cause of the decline of seagrass meadows globally, explaining its mechanisms of action and the difficulty of recovering these ecosystems.

Escolhemos o tópico do impacto das águas residuais nos ecossistemas costeiros por se tratar de uma problemática que nos é próxima. Procuramos perceber os impactos dos efluentes nas zonas costeiras e nos seus ecossistemas, dado que já presenciámos o impacto negativo desta problemática na biodiversidade costeira das nossas localidades e porque apesar de já existirem medidas de tratamento das águas, esperávamos que nos dias de hoje com os avanços tecnológicos estes sistemas fossem mais eficientes e que já estivessem presentes em todos os pontos do globo.  

Artigos científico de referência: 

Reopanichkul, P., Schlacher, T., Carter, R., & Worachananant, S. (2009). Sewage impacts coral reefs at multiple levels of ecological organization. Marine pollution bulletin, 58 9, 1356-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.04.024. 

Wang W.F. (2024). Eutrophication mechanisms and their impacts on coastal marine ecosystems. International Journal of Marine Science, 14(4): 285-29.  doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0032 

Lecher, A. L., & Mackey, K. R. (2018). Synthesizing the effects of submarine groundwater discharge on marine biota. Hydrology, 5(4), 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology5040060 

Tuholske, C., Halpern, B. S., Blasco, G., Villasenor, J. C., Frazier, M., & Caylor, K. (2021). Mapping global inputs and impacts from of human sewage in coastal ecosystems. PloS one, 16(11), e0258898. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258898 

The first sighting, since 2021, of an angel shark off the Welsh coast shows that this critically endangered species still survives, but also reveals how rare and vulnerable it has become.

Its presence in shallow waters shows how the species depends on coastal habitats and the need for better protection of these areas.

This article explores how accelerated ocean warming influences the habitat use of the angel shark (Squatina squatina), classified as critically endangered. It focuses on populations around the Canary Islands, and the study reveals that males and females respond differently to rising sea temperatures, with females tending to avoid warmer waters, while males are more tolerant. As ocean temperatures exceed critical thermal limits (around 22.5 °C), females become less frequent in traditional breeding areas. We can see from these findings that climate change can cause behavioral changes and also spatial segregation within species, not forgetting the importance of taking into account the specific responses of each sex in the conservation of marine ectotherms.

The study focuses on the three species of angel sharks in the Mediterranean, which are Squatina aculeata, Squatina oculata, and Squatina squatina. All of these species are currently classified as “Critically Endangered” in the Mediterranean region. This is largely due to historical and current exploitation by trawling and other demersal fisheries, combined with some of their biological characteristics (slow growth, low fecundity) that make them vulnerable.

The north/east Mediterranean (specifically the Aegean Sea and Crete regions) has been identified as a crucial area for their conservation, however, there is still some uncertainty about their distribution, critical habitats, and overlap with management areas.

• Survival rates show that the first year of life is decisive as pups have 47% of surviving.

• Females in Madeira reach reproductive age around 3 years after those in Cabo Blanco, researchers believe it's due to food availability.

• Thanks to conservation efforts, the population has grown 3 times its size since the 1980s.

• Urges better fisheries and coastal zone management.

  
  

• Results showed clear segregation between populations at Madeira and Cabo Blanco.

• Populations showed low nuclear genetic diversity and high levels of inbreeding, with Madeira suffering the most from this aspects.

• The low genetic diversity of extant populations calls for

  the development of an ambitious programme that includes

  (i) increasing the size of colonies and populations and

  (ii) restoring genetic diversity and connectivity among

  extant populations.

• Rescuing the genetic diversity of MMS through the translocation of individuals among extant populations is a scientifically backed option to generate gene flow and promote the long-term recovery of the species.

• Workers from many areas were interviewed. (Fish farms, whale watching, wildlife rangers, scuba diving staff)

• Concluded that there was a direct correlation between education level and awareness on the dangers of aquaculture towards seals. Those with higher levels of education, usually in whale watching sector, believed the impact of aquaculture on seals was negative.

• Concluded that fish farmers, which showed to have very accurate information on seal sightings, show big potential as collaborators in citizen science.

• Urges for more awareness and the mobilization of a strategy to integrate citizen science to create more data.

The new Strategy establishes an integrated action plan that includes measures for monitoring, operational response, biomass recovery, scientific research, and institutional coordination, with the aim of mitigating the ecological, social, and economic impacts of this invasive macroalgae.

We are both divers so this topic is close to our hearts.

Biochemical characterization and potential valorization of the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamura (2024). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10811-024-03390-z

The study analyzes the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae, whose spread in southern Europe has caused ecological imbalances and economic losses, but also presents a potential opportunity for sustainable use. Researchers characterized the biochemical composition of the seaweed and its aqueous extracts, observing annual variations in nutrient, metal, protein, polyphenol, and lipid (especially terpene) contents. Polysaccharides (fucoidan, laminarin, and alginate) remained stable, with higher concentrations in the extracts. The results indicate that R. okamurae has potential as a biofertilizer, due to its mineral content (K, Ca, Fe, Mn), and as a biostimulant, thanks to its sulfur, polyphenolic, and polysaccharide compounds. Thus, the study proposes its agricultural use as a sustainable alternative to mitigate the impacts of the invasion.

This video shows a lively reef but unfortunately this isn’t what it looks like everywhere. On each dive careless divers or beginners make contact with the reefs, harming the corals. And with some dive sites having multiple ten-thousands of dives each year this ecosystem is at great risk.

Awareness and diving skills are often lacking which both are an important part of the problem.

Marine Drugs 18 (11), 560, 2020

Invasive seaweeds in the Iberian Peninsula: A contribution for food supply.

https://doi.org/10.3390/md18110560

The introduction of exotic species into marine ecosystems causes ecological and economic impacts. Among them, seaweeds represent an important group, with 407 introduced species worldwide. In the Iberian Peninsula, around 50 non-indigenous species have been recorded, some considered invasive due to their excessive growth and competition with other species. Nevertheless, these invasive seaweeds have industrial potential, as they possess high biomass and contain nutritious and bioactive compounds with nutraceutical value. This study aims to assess the records of these species and analyze their potential use in the food industry.

Doi: 10.3390/md19040178

In recent decades, algae have been recognized as sources of bioactive compounds with applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and other industries. At the same time, invasive algae pose ecological and economic problems, and their control is often costly and inefficient. This article suggests that valuing invasive algae as sources of bioactive compounds could help reduce their populations while providing environmental and economic benefits. It reviews the chemical and nutritional composition, extraction methods, and biological activities of five invasive algae in northwest Spain and discusses their potential use as supplements in aquaculture diets.

Through this programm they offer guidelines as "dos and don'ts" for a more sustainable pratice of snorkeling and diving speacially around this important ecossystem.

You can find more about this programm and their actions on https://greenfins.net/blog/diving-dos-donts/

Roche, R.C., Harvey, C.V., Harvey, J.J. et al. Recreational Diving Impacts on Coral Reefs and the Adoption of Environmentally Responsible Practices within the SCUBA Diving Industry. Environmental Management 58, 107–116 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0696-0

Directed Bottom Trawl Fishery: A

Baseline for Long-Term Monitoring

(1997–2014)

This literature review synthesizes evidence that climate change stressors are causing severe decline and loss of seagrass meadows globally. It concludes that these impacts are often worsened by human activities and calls for increased research and conservation to protect these vital ecosystems.

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0905620106

These paper shows that seagrass meadows are rapidly declining worldwide, threatening vital coastal ecosystems and biodiversity. Eutrophication is a key driver of this loss. Their loss disrupts fisheries, carbon storage and habitat stability. A science-based management is needed to protect and restore these essential marine habitats. An example in Mondego, Portugal, shows that improving water quality can restore seagrass ecosystems and their vital functions.

The article analyzes seagrass restoration efforts in the Mediterranean, showing that the decline of some species is real, but often exaggerated. The authors argue that natural recolonization is more effective than previously thought and warn of the ecological and ethical risks of poorly applied restoration interventions. 

This recent paper provides the first global, comprehensive assessment of carbon stored in seagrass biomass. It finds that seagrass meadows are exceptionally productive ecosystems and quantifies their significance. It highlights large, long-lived "persisted" seagrass meadows like Posidonia's as one of the most effective carbon sinks, unlike smaller, fast-growing opportunistic species.

Os impactos mais graves são ecológicos: a alga sufoca pradarias marinhas essenciais, afeta ouriços-do-mar e expulsa espécies nativas, comprometendo a biodiversidade local.

This paper talks about microsplastic pollution in ecosystems where monk seals live.

Highlights:

1. Microplastics are present in great amounts in monk seals and they can be different in composition.

2. It was the first evaulation of this type of pollution in the Atlantic

3. Physiology effects are still unknown but knowing they exist it's the first step to study their pathways and try to reduce this pollution.

• Top predators can be used as bioindicators of their ecosystem because they show responses to changes in their environment, either through adaptation or sustainability;

• How are these changes identified: movements, population dynamics and diet;

• Top predators are key species in top-down regulation.

Highlights:

• The mediterranean monk seal is the rarest seal in the world;

• The conservation of this species started in 1988 in Madeira

• In the Atlantic Ocean, there are 2 sub-populations of monk seals: the Madeira sub-population, composed of 22 individuals (2021 data) and the Cabo Branco sub-population (Mauritania), composed of 380 individuals (2021 data). 

Feng, L., Wang, Y., Hou, X. et al. Harmful algal blooms in inland waters. Nat Rev Earth Environ 5, 631–644 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-024-00578-2

However, the removal of this species represents a high cost for the Portuguese state in terms of investment in machinery and support equipment.

Millions of tons of sargassum pile up on beaches in Mexico and other parts of North America.

This accumulation causes environmental issues, it harms coastal ecosystems and public health problems, and when it decomposes, it releases gases that can affect breathing.

Cleaning it up is also expensive for authorities and hotels.

Innovative Solution – Sargassum Bricks (“Sargablock”)

Mexican entrepreneur Omar Vazquez turns the collected sargassum into building bricks.

The bricks are made with about 40% sargassum, mixed with other organic materials or soil from construction sites.

To produce them, the dried seaweed is shredded, mixed with soil, water, and other ingredients (the exact formula is kept secret), then pressed into molds.

Strength and Properties of the Bricks

Despite being “eco-blocks,” they are strong: tests show they have resistance comparable to traditional adobe bricks.

They also have good durability, with an estimated lifespan of up to 120 years.

Thermal properties: Sargassum bricks insulate well, helping keep homes cooler in heat and warmer in cold weather.

Social Impact

Omar has already built several houses with these bricks, many of which have been donated to low-income families.

It's a circular economy solution: it transforms an environmental waste problem (sargassum) into a useful construction material while also creating local jobs.

The project has gained international recognition, including from the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Potential for Global Expansion

The idea has potential beyond Mexico, there is interest in expanding this type of construction to other Caribbean regions or countries that face the same sargassum issue, like Portugal. This approach could serve as a sustainable, replicable model for turning marine waste into construction resources.

This algae was observed at various depths, showing a near-total dominance of the seabed in many areas, even during winter when its growth is usually reduced.

Despite the typical low winter expression (due to reduced light, nutrients, and grazing), R. okamurae was very present and abundant.

Dr. Zé Nuno provides explanations about the ecological implications: how this alga’s invasion is altering marine biodiversity, potentially displacing native species.

The video underscores the urgent need for monitoring and management, as this invasive species is affecting fragile benthic communities.

Os autores classificam-na como uma espécie-transformadora, porque altera profundamente a estrutura e funcionamento do ecossistema bentónico. A alga também demonstra grande resistência a condições adversas, o que facilita a sua expansão contínua.

In the study of Jiménez-Casero J. et al (2023), a field-based study was conducted to understand the impacts of nutrient loads in offshore Posidonia oceanica meadows. The results suggest that seagrass meadows closer to anthropogenic activity (nutrient discharges) are more likely to exhibit lower productivity and greater nitrogen accumulation.

• The species is one of the most vulnerable marine mammals in the world and has done an incredible recovery over the last decades.

• Main threats:

  • Terrestrial and marine habitat loss resulting in occupation of unsuitable habitats

  • Negative interactions with fisheries

  • Unpredictable threats (cave collapses and mass mortality events)

  • Pollution

• Priority conservation strategies:

  • Strengthening the legal

    framework for the protection of habitats

  • Effective protection of the species and its terrestrial and marine habitat

  • Scientific population and habitat monitoring

  • Rescue and rehabilitation of pups to increase neonatal survival rates

  • Public awareness and education

  • Monitoring and mitigating negative seal–fishery

    interactions

  • Expansion of the species’ current geographic range in the Atlantic Ocean

Hence, it's important we reduce these pressures so we don't end up losing this species.

Peninsula, West Africa

In this article, we found information about survival and reproductive rates for monk seals population in the Cabo Blanco.

• We see a trend to an increase of survival rate with years, except between first and second years.

• Adult individuals show high survival rates for both sexes although the values are slightly higher for female individuals.

• Reproductive rate is high and they start to reproduce at 3 years old and exceeded the 80% of reproduction rate between 6-17 yrs.

It's important to know this, so we can apply correctly and more efficient conservation measures

Using invasive-algae biomass for cosmetics could thus serve a dual purpose: help manage and mitigate ecological damage, and create sustainable raw materials for cosmetic industry, a kind of “circular economy”.

Project Life Madeira Monk Seal:

https://www.lifemadeiramonkseal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Eng_Laymans-report-LIFE-MADEIRA.pdf

Both projects share similar goals, which are the monitoring of the species in their most relevant habitats, use of effective conservation tactics, involvement of the community of Madeira and use of citizen science, mitigation of threats and rehabilitation of more suitable habitats.

Previously, the "Protection of the mediterranean monk seal colony of the Cabo Blanco Peninsula in Mauritania", also took place and concluded in 2016, focusing on surveillance to prevent human threats and train locals and coast guards in order to create awareness.

https://www.fondationsegre.org/protection-of-the-mediterranean-monk-seal-colony-of-the-cabo-blanco-peninsula-in-mauritania/

Welcome to the LIFE SeagrassRIAwild Project

Tools_for_seagrass_conservation_and_mana20160227-10394-1nzs00p-libre.pdf

Frontiers | Open Coast Seagrass Restoration. Can We Do It? Large Scale Seagrass Transplants

Towards a more integrative environmental assessment: Infauna as tool for Zostera marina conservation management | PLOS One

Seagrasses in coastal wetlands of the Algarve region (southern Portugal): Past and present distribution and extent - ScienceDirect

Resurgence of Zostera marina in the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, Portugal - ScienceDirect

Ecosystem-based management planning across aquatic realms at the Ria de Aveiro Natura 2000 territory - ScienceDirect

An integrated approach for the design of a marine protected area network applied to mainland Portugal - ScienceDirect

https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/

Out of Portugal

Restoring Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Habitats Using a Simple and Effective Transplanting Technique | PLOS One

Frontiers | Where, when, how and what seagrass to transplant for long lasting results in transitional water systems: the cases of Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera marina, Zostera noltei and Ruppia cirrhosa

Seed‐ versus transplant‐based eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) restoration success in a temperate marine lake - Cronau - 2023 - Restoration Ecology - Wiley Online Library

Restoration of seagrass habitat leads to rapid recovery of coastal ecosystem services

A new marine measure enhancing Zostera marina seed germination and seedling survival - ScienceDirect

Seed‐ versus transplant‐based eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) restoration success in a temperate marine lake - Cronau - 2023 - Restoration Ecology - Wiley Online Library

Comparison of seasonal growth responses of Zostera marina transplants to determine the optimal transplant season for habitat restoration - ScienceDirect

Effects of Restoration Through Nature-Based Solution on Benthic Biodiversity: A Case Study in a Northern Adriatic Lagoon | MDPI

1- Integrated Coastal Zone Management

2- Education and Awareness

3- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

4- Ecologically Sustainable Reef Fisheries

5-Shipping and Marine Pollution Control

6-Research, Monitoring and Economic Evaluation

This article analyzes the rapid spread of the invasive brown macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae over the last decade. Originally native to the northwest Pacific, this species has shown an extraordinary ability to invade and dominate coastal ecosystems in both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

The review highlights the exceptional expansion capacity of R. okamurae, characterized by its fast growth rate and high biomass accumulation, which allows it to outcompete native species. The alga has progressively expanded from initial introduction points, spreading widely across different marine environments in a relatively short period of time.

Environmental factors play a key role in the invasive success of R. okamurae. The article identifies temperature tolerance, high nutrient availability, salinity adaptability, and strong photosynthetic efficiency as the main drivers facilitating its establishment and proliferation. These traits enable the species to thrive under a wide range of environmental conditions, including those influenced by climate change and human activities.

The impacts of R. okamurae invasion are described as significant and multidimensional. Ecologically, it alters native communities, reduces biodiversity, and modifies habitat structure. Economically and socially, the massive accumulation of algal biomass affects fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and coastal management, generating high removal costs and operational difficulties.

Overall, the article emphasizes the urgent need for monitoring, management strategies, and further research to better understand the mechanisms behind the invasion and to mitigate the negative ecological and socio-economic consequences of Rugulopteryx okamurae in affected regions.

This article investigates how the invasion of the macroalgae Caulerpa prolifera and Rugulopteryx okamurae has altered sea urchin patch dynamics in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, a highly productive and ecologically important system in southern Portugal. Sea urchins play a key role as grazers, contributing to the regulation of algal communities and the maintenance of habitat heterogeneity.

The study shows that the expansion of these invasive macroalgae has significantly modified the spatial distribution, size, and structure of sea urchin patches. Dense algal mats reduce the availability of bare substrate and alter food resources, which in turn affects sea urchin behavior, movement, and aggregation patterns. As a result, traditional sea urchin grazing areas become fragmented or displaced.

The invasive species differ in their influence on sea urchin patches. Caulerpa prolifera tends to form persistent, compact mats that limit grazing efficiency, while Rugulopteryx okamurae, due to its high biomass and seasonal accumulation, can physically smother benthic habitats and further restrict sea urchin activity. These changes weaken the top-down control exerted by sea urchins on algal growth.

Ecologically, the alteration of sea urchin patches contributes to shifts in benthic community structure, potentially favoring the dominance of invasive macroalgae and reducing native biodiversity. The study highlights how biological invasions can disrupt key species interactions and feedback mechanisms in coastal lagoons.

Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding species interactions under invasion pressure, as the combined effects of invasive macroalgae and altered grazer dynamics may lead to long-term ecosystem changes in the Ria Formosa lagoon.