A NEW STUDY CONFIRMS THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF MOORING FIELDS IN THE EMPORDÀ

A study by the Marine Environment Conservation Consortium has revealed the “positive impact” that mooring fields installed along various areas of the Alt and Baix Empordà coastline have on marine fauna and flora.
Through a specific protocol, experts analyze several aspects such as species proliferation and development, or the preservation of seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica).
One of the creators of the protocol, Boris Weitzmann, explains that they have been studying mooring and swimming zones for over eight years during the summer season, when “tourist pressure” is highest.
The goal is to define what they call “marine green zones,” protected by buoys. Weitzmann adds that the protocol provides a “global” vision of the entire area.

Mooring fields regulate navigation, protect swimmers, prevent seabed damage caused by boat anchors, and act as temporary marine reserves during peak tourist season in summer, since they are removed in winter.
These are some of the conclusions reached by the experts of the Marine Environment Conservation Consortium after analyzing several buoyed zones in municipalities across Baix and Alt Empordà.

Experts have worked in several protected areas of Calonge i Sant Antoni, Palafrugell, Begur, Palamós, l’Escala and Castelló d’Empúries.
Following the studies, a protocol was established as “the final piece” of a project that has been running for over eight years.

This protocol provides scientists with a foundation to evaluate the impact of different mooring fields along the Empordà coast.
By studying several parameters, experts obtain results that lead to a final score indicating how each mooring field benefits the marine environment.

“The goal is for this score to increase over the years or at least remain stable,” says Boris Weitzmann, one of the project’s coordinators, funded by European funds.

The study has also confirmed the positive impact of these buoyed maritime zones, which are managed by local councils and “protect” both swimmers and marine flora and fauna.

A good example is the Posidonia seagrass meadows. Weitzmann admits that initially they thought the buoys would be problematic and damage the seabed, but reality, he says, “is quite the opposite.”
“I had to eat my words. Having boats and buoys in a high-tourist-pressure area seemed negative, but what you see on the surface is not what happens underwater,” he emphasized.

One key factor, he adds, is that the buoy must be “properly fixed” and not move, whether it’s an “old” one with a concrete block or an ecological buoy anchored to a marine rock.
“The most important thing is that the chain doesn’t drag and remains fixed,” he concluded.

Weitzmann points out that one of the main challenges they face is an “unstable balance” between those who believe it is necessary to install as many mooring fields as possible to prevent boats from anchoring near beaches, and those who think there is no need to mark off areas accessible only by sea.

The creator of the protocol believes that it is often a “coexistence issue” and admits he is not in favor of placing buoys “everywhere,” partly due to their visual impact, especially in an area like the Costa Brava.

However, Weitzmann considers them “very important” in certain locations, as they “organize the space, make navigation safer — since dropping anchor always carries a risk — and, in turn, protect the seabed,” he emphasizes.

The Consortium notes that, although it has initially been implemented only along the Costa Brava in the Alt and Baix Empordà regions, the protocol can be applied to any part of the Catalan coastline where a municipality manages a buoyed marine area.

One of the towns that took part in making this protocol a reality is Calonge i Sant Antoni.
The local council points out that it is “very important” to raise public awareness about it.
“People see what’s on the surface, but they don’t know the seabed. If we spread the word and explain it, citizens will understand the importance of preserving it,” says Lídia Sánchez, the councillor for the environment.

In this regard, the council has organized several activities with biologists, residents, and interested tourists, where they go snorkelling —with mask and snorkel—.
Once in the water, participants discover various features of marine fauna and flora, while the biologists explain how the buoys help protect the marine environment.