The Generalitat Valenciana, through the General Directorate of Science and Research (Ministry of Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society), will finance the creation of a Marine Observatory at the Montgó-Dénia Scientific Station, within the call "Thinkinazul: Strategy Joint Research and Innovation in Marine Sciences - Complementary R + D + I Plan - Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan ".
This project, whose main researcher is the professor at the University of Alicante and coordinator of the Montgó-Dénia Scientific Station, Cesar Bordehore, is called "Comprehensive Marine Observatory on the coast of Oliva-Dénia-Jávea for the conservation of biodiversity, observation of global change and promotion of the blue economy (OBSERMAR-CV) "and its purpose is to establish permanently over time -after a period of three years of direct impulse from the GVA- an Observatory Comprehensive marine on the coast of the municipalities of Oliva-Dénia-Jávea (between the port of Oliva and Cap de la Nao).
This Marine Observatory will analyze in the study area (almost 40km of coastline) both environmental and fishing data as well as socio-economic data by a multidisciplinary team of researchers belonging to the University of Alicante, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the Miguel Hernández University, the Institute Geológico y Minero and the CSIC, and will also have collaborations with other researchers from leading international institutions, such as the University of British Columbia (Canada) or the University of North Carolina (United States).
This stretch of coastline will become one of the best-studied stretches of the Spanish coastline, not only with the intention of knowing basic science aspects (for example related to the absorption of CO2 by the sea or the reduction of pH), improvement of water quality and marine biodiversity, determine current patterns and erosion of beaches and movements of sand, but also to propose coastal management models that optimize economic performance -both of activities such as professional fishing, or recreational and tourist activities related to the sea- and that it is sustainable over time and, in addition, compatible with the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.
The working group is made up of experts in fishing biology, Posidonia oceanica, marine pollution, hydrogeologists, mathematical modeling, sustainable tourism, applied economics, sociologists, and environmental and fishing law. On the other hand, the participation and transfer of information obtained to different agents directly or indirectly related to the sea will be promoted, such as the municipalities involved (Dénia, Xàbia and Oliva), the fishermen's associations, entities and tourism companies related to tourism, the recreational nautical sector, associations or foundations with a track record in conservation initiatives and the study of the marine environment - such as the Fundació Baleària or the Obesmar Association- and the different Regional Ministries with competences in the environment and the natural park, fishing, ports and infrastructures and the economy, and at the state level, both Coasts and the General Sub-Directorate for the Protection of the Coast and the Sea.
This project will also promote the extrapolation of solutions to improve environmental and socio-economic management to other areas, both national and international thanks to the integration of the Montgó-Dénia Scientific Station within the European network of Marine Scientific Stations and the European Marine Observation Network or the Integrated Carbon Observation System ICOS.
The project proposes three basic lines of action:
- Implement an in-situ monitoring system, through a program of periodic sampling (of biological and physical-chemical variables, monitoring of nutrients using stable isotopes of nitrogen and oxygen, and monitoring of emerging pollutants such as microplastics). Knowing the starting point of key parameters is necessary to analyze trends and address issues such as the resilience of marine ecosystems.
- Establish a network of sightings and observation of the sea based on citizen science, in which the general population and agents related to the marine environment (fishermen, sailors, sports marinas, diving clubs, employees of surveillance and first aid services in beaches, local police, etc.), which would systematically report the presence of both polluting elements (plastics, oil spills, etc.), as well as organisms that could pose a problem for the conservation of marine ecosystems (invasive species. eg Caulerpa cylindracea) or for the health of people (such as jellyfish), or the improper use of the coastline (anchoring in Posidonia oceanica meadows, etc.)
- Increase the knowledge of the general public and specific sectors about the marine environment and the blue economy. With special focus on the professional sectors related to the sea: professional fishing, nautical tourism (navigation, diving), and institutes and schools of the three municipalities.
- Carry out dynamic prediction models ("What would happen if ...") of the evolution of environmental and socio-economic variables in the study area, both taking into account aspects such as the conservation of biodiversity and economic activities linked to the sea (Blue Economy ). Opportunities for socioeconomic improvement, optimization of economic performance, minimization of environmental impact and improvement of relevant habitats will be proposed.
Scientific Stations linked to a high value territory
Environmental and marine research focused on a specific territory requires the mobilization of material and human resources that is impossible to address without nearby facilities that allow from obtaining samples and carrying out different analyzes in the laboratory, diving operations or the stay. of researchers coming from different points both in the Community and from other national and international centers.
Biological scientific stations (in this case mainly marine and environmental) are of great relevance for knowing the territory and facilitating the approach of applied research to field studies. This strategy of research centers and university teaching to bring research closer to specific areas of high environmental and socioeconomic value is followed by the best international research centers and they are established in unique areas, where it is worth dedicating an extra effort, and this coast is one of these points (this document summarizes the advantages of this type of field facilities "Enhancing the Value and Sustainability of Field Stations and Marine Laboratories in the 21st Century").
Within the coastal waters of the peninsula, the Oliva-Dénia-Xàbia coastline is one of the most heterogeneous areas due to the transition between the southern sandbanks of the Gulf of Valencia and the northern cliffs of the province of Alicante. It also includes several marine protected areas: the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Reserve, LIC Almadrava and the LIC Marina Alta, a relevant artisanal fishing fleet, an indisputable cultural value of the sea and a booming tourist-recreational use of the sea (navigation, diving).
Hello. Could someone tell me about those black, silky stones, that there are many on the sand of all the beaches of Denia, especially Las Marinas, what is that? Could it be tar, petrified tar?
It's just out of curiosity since I'm surprised by how many there are, it's also curious but the areas where there are more famous rocks are greyish, not reddish like in other places.
Thanks for reading the comment.
Greetings.
An interesting initiative for all, research must be a fundamental pillar of societies that want to progress.
With the natural attraction of this area, let's see if many more come and Denia becomes a benchmark for research. It would be very good news.