Marilles is committed to detecting the effects of climate change on corals

Marilles, in collaboration with Observadores del Mar (Sea Watchers), is working to identify the presence of corals in the Balearic Sea and help detect the effects of climate change on these species, which are essential to the balance of marine ecosystems.

During September and October, diving centres across the islands host the OdMClimate surveys to detect signs that climate change is affecting corals in the Balearic Sea. To help locate them, anyone who spots a coral can take a photograph and upload it to the Observadores del Mar platform.

The aim is to gather as much information as possible about coral reefs and, therefore, to have more tools at our disposal to design the most appropriate measures for their protection.

Some of the corals you may find in the Balearic Sea include:

Mediterranean madrepora (Cladocora caespitosa) ‒ endemic to the Mediterranean and found at shallow depths.

White gorgonian (Eunicella singularis) ‒ inhabits dimly lit hard seabeds at depths between 10 and 30 metres.

Red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) ‒ found at greater depths than the white gorgonian and can grow up to one metre in height.

Red coral (Corallium rubrum) ‒ found on rocky seabeds, at depths of between 30 and 200 metres.

Check the census schedule here.