Malaga Province Environment Foundation – Grant Announcements
MARINE NURSERY FOR POSIDONIA RESTORATION IN MARBELLA
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VIVERO DE REFORESTACIÓN MARINA A PARTIR DE POSIDONIAS (P.O.) EN MARBELLA
Funding: €12,000
Grantee:Fundación Aula del Mar Mediterráneo (FAMM)
Duration: September 2025 – September 2026
Funding: €12,000
Grantee:Fundación Aula del Mar Mediterráneo (FAMM)
Duration: September 2025 – September 2026
Background:
The seagrass meadows along the coast of Málaga face constant threats from water
pollution, coastal development, invasive species, and the impacts of climate change.
Currently, only four marine protected areas exist in the province, and they do not cover
the full extent of these habitats, leaving many seagrass beds without any formal
protection.
The degradation of these ecosystems has severe consequences for marine biodiversity
and diminishes the vital services they provide, including water filtration, oxygenation,
and the natural protection of beaches against erosion. Moreover, these underwater
plants serve as powerful carbon sinks—known as blue carbon—making them essential
ecosystems in the fight against climate change.
pollution, coastal development, invasive species, and the impacts of climate change.
Currently, only four marine protected areas exist in the province, and they do not cover
the full extent of these habitats, leaving many seagrass beds without any formal
protection.
The degradation of these ecosystems has severe consequences for marine biodiversity
and diminishes the vital services they provide, including water filtration, oxygenation,
and the natural protection of beaches against erosion. Moreover, these underwater
plants serve as powerful carbon sinks—known as blue carbon—making them essential
ecosystems in the fight against climate change.
The project:
This FAMM initiative, which has a total budget of €60,000, will focus on studying and
conserving Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows in the Alboran Sea. The project’s
main objective is to create a 1–hectare Posidonia nursery in the waters of Nagüeles
Beach (Marbella). The nursery, (in collaboration with the University of Malaga and the
IEO–SCIC research centres) will be cared for and monitored for a minimum period of 10
years, aiming to create a marine reserve that promotes the enrichment of marine
biodiversity and serves as a setting for environmental education and awareness
activities.
conserving Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows in the Alboran Sea. The project’s
main objective is to create a 1–hectare Posidonia nursery in the waters of Nagüeles
Beach (Marbella). The nursery, (in collaboration with the University of Malaga and the
IEO–SCIC research centres) will be cared for and monitored for a minimum period of 10
years, aiming to create a marine reserve that promotes the enrichment of marine
biodiversity and serves as a setting for environmental education and awareness
activities.
Objectives
1. Create a participatory network of volunteers to collect fragments of Posidonia on
beaches
2. Recovery of sucessfully collected Posidonia fragments in aquariums
3. Creation of a 1–hectare Posidonia nursery on site: demarcation of the site,
installation of structures and measures to ensure medium–term survival of
Posidonia plants.
4. Awareness raising campaigns and beach–based environmental education
activities highlighting the nursery and Posidonia oceanica meadows.
5. Production of the nursery’s first monitoring report, including development of key
strategies for its long–term survival and proliferation.
Broader Impact:
Led by experienced scientists, this nursery will provide an optimal marine environment
to serve as the starting point for future Posidonia oceanica restoration along the coast
of Malaga. As a pilot initiative, it will establish the foundations for conserving this key
species in the Alboran Sea, defining the best conditions, timing, replanting techniques,
and conservation methods to ensure its long–term success.
THE FOOTPRINT OF THE SEA
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LA HUELLA DEL MAR
Funding:€8,698.50
Grantee:Asociación Iberozoa
Duration:September 2025 – November 2026
Background
The Malaga coastline is home to intertidal habitats rich in biodiversity and endemic
species. Although constantly exposed to pressures from coastal urbanisation,
pollution, and tourism, these environments are ideal places to discover traces of
marine life such as shells, seaweed, or even shark eggs—valuable indicators of the
health of our coasts and seas and the hidden history of the seabed. However, their
significance is often overlooked, and for those who cannot access the sea, swim, or
dive, these traces oder a unique window into an underwater world.
The Project
Grantee Asociación Iberozoa, formed by a new generation of naturalists in Spain, is
leading this citizen science and marine conservation initiative. To bring the Malaga
coast closer to those who cannot easily experience the sea, workshops will be held on
accessible beaches for schoolchildren and people with reduced mobility, in
collaboration with local councils and a network of volunteers. The ultimate goal is to
create a unique guide to marine traces along Malaga’s coastline. In addition, the project
will reach social and educational centres, hosting events to raise awareness, celebrate
marine biodiversity, and foster connections with other local organisations.
Objectives
1. Build a network of collaborators and volunteers, in partnership with local
councils, schools, and social organisations.
2. At least four excursions for people with reduced mobility, schoolchildren, and
local residents.
3. Develop a unique guide to traces of marine life to be found on Malaga’s coast.
4.Deliver educational sessions in social centres and schools, bringing the sea
closer to people.
5.Successfully host the III Symposium on Marine Biodiversity in Spain, coordinated
by Iberozoa.
1. Build a network of collaborators and volunteers, in partnership with local
councils, schools, and social organisations.
2. At least four excursions for people with reduced mobility, schoolchildren, and
local residents.
3. Develop a unique guide to traces of marine life to be found on Malaga’s coast.
4.Deliver educational sessions in social centres and schools, bringing the sea
closer to people.
5.Successfully host the III Symposium on Marine Biodiversity in Spain, coordinated
by Iberozoa.
Broader Impact
By integrating this initiative into the provincial programme of the Iberozoa Malaga
Delegation, the project will be replicated on other beaches and the guide will be shared
in more schools and social centres, as a key educational resource. It will also be
incorporated into Iberozoa’s project on 360º virtual dives in marine ecosystems, aligning both initiatives within a broader strategy for marine outreach—bringing the sea closer to vulnerable groups and Malaga’s population.
About Málaga Province Environment Foundation
The province of Málaga, boasts unrivalled natural wealth. Its diverse topography and
geographical location give rise to a unique variety of climates and landscapes. Among
them are the Sierra de las Nieves National Park and several other natural parks which
host an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. Saltwater lagoons provide breeding
grounds for thousands of flamingos each year, while the coast, clids, wetlands, and
dune systems provide essential habitats for resting and nesting birds, as well as
naturally protecting the shoreline.
The Alboran Sea boasts pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. This seascape serves
as a migratory corridor for cetaceans, encompassing four marine protected areas,
seagrass meadows and sea beds teeming with biodiversity.
However, Málaga’s biodiversity—on land and at sea—faces constant and growing
threats. Intensive agriculture, unsustainable tourism, urban expansion, and
unsustainable fishing practices, amongst other human pressures, continue to degrade
the province’s natural areas, wildlife, and the vital resources and ecosystem services
they provide.
Málaga Province Environment Foundation has been established to serve as a catalyst,
supporting grassroots initiatives led by local environmental champions to protect and
restore Málaga’s unique natural landscapes, its marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and
the extraordinary biodiversity they sustain. Our vision is a future in which the local
community of Malaga is committed, empowered and acts collaboratively with scientific
institutions, supported by the authorities, guiding the region towards a sustainable
lifestyle in harmony with its natural heritage.
The vast expanse of the province of Málaga, together with the diversity and severity of
the environmental impacts it faces, requires a broad and holistic approach from MPEF.
For this reason, our areas of interest are: Terrestrial Conservation; Marine & Coastal
Conservation; Direct Participation Towards Resilience and Mitigation; and Sustainable
Resource & Waste Management.
restore Málaga’s unique natural landscapes, its marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and
the extraordinary biodiversity they sustain. Our vision is a future in which the local
community of Malaga is committed, empowered and acts collaboratively with scientific
institutions, supported by the authorities, guiding the region towards a sustainable
lifestyle in harmony with its natural heritage.
The vast expanse of the province of Málaga, together with the diversity and severity of
the environmental impacts it faces, requires a broad and holistic approach from MPEF.
For this reason, our areas of interest are: Terrestrial Conservation; Marine & Coastal
Conservation; Direct Participation Towards Resilience and Mitigation; and Sustainable
Resource & Waste Management.
About Málaga Province Environment Foundation
