To protect something you must know it – where it lives, what it eats, what it needs to thrive. That’s why conservation starts with observation, and why if you happened to be in the Algarve in mid-September, you might have seen a bunch of wet people with nets, sample pots and guide-books.
The Alvor Estuary in southern Portugal is strikingly different to the surrounding coast. For over 40 years, A Rocha has been working with others to protect it from ecologically insensitive development, studying bird, moth, orchid and other populations as a key part of the strategy. In September, for the first time we turned our focus to marine species and habitats, as a team of marine scientists from across the world gathered for a “AquaBlitz” – like a bioblitz but in the water!
Over five days they spread across four sites, netting, digging, trapping, and then identifying species with the help of guidebooks and photographs to build up a picture of what watery creatures can be found in the area.
From this research, they have identified key marine projects which will help them to continue to safeguard the estuary. The team has donated field equipment to A Rocha Portugal to continue the marine research, and connections with universities and local partners will facilitate visits from marine biology students – inspiring the next generation of marine conservationists.
A Rocha Portugal’s developing marine conservation work will contribute to the global A Rocha Marine Conservation Programme. Find out more here.
