The Generalitat Valenciana and Fundación Oceanogràfic have released 1,800 juvenile common sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) into the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Reserve, continuing a joint conservation programme designed to strengthen wild populations along the Valencian coast.
The young sea urchins were bred and reared at Fundación Oceanogràfic’s facilities in collaboration with the regional Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Livestock and Fisheries. Before release, each individual measured more than 2.5 cm in diameter, excluding spines, a size considered suitable to improve adaptation and survival in the wild.
Restoring an essential Mediterranean species
The release forms part of a conservation project that covers the entire life cycle of the species, from captive breeding and juvenile rearing to carefully planned releases in protected coastal habitats.
The aim is to reinforce natural populations of the common sea urchin, a species that plays a crucial ecological role in maintaining the balance of Mediterranean coastal ecosystems but has declined in several areas of the Valencian coastline.
The operation took place in the protected waters of the Marina Alta, with support from the City Council of Dénia and the Coast Guard Service, which facilitated access to the release site.
Scientific monitoring continues
The Cabo de San Antonio Marine Reserve was selected because of its favourable environmental conditions and its long-term scientific monitoring programme carried out by Fundación Oceanogràfic and the Generalitat Valenciana.
Surveys following previous releases have confirmed the presence of sea urchins in the same areas where they were released, demonstrating successful adaptation and providing valuable information for the continuation of the conservation project.
The technical team will carry out further dives in the coming weeks to assess the condition of the 1,800 newly released sea urchins and continue gathering data on their survival and development within the marine reserve.
