Obtention of the andalucía environment prize

Puerto Banús and professor José Carlos García Gómez receive the Andalusian Environment Award in the “Biodiversity” category for their study carried out for the protection and transfer of the Patella ferrugínea, a species of limpet in danger of extinction.

Thanks to the project carried out in conjunction with the University of Seville that seeks to rescue an endemic species of mollusk in danger of extinction, our marina has received the “Biodiversity” award.

On November 24th 2023, at the Córdoba Conference Center, the XXVII edition of the Andalusia Environment Awards was held, awarded by the Ministry of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy of the Government of Andalusia, which recognizes eleven companies and professionals for their work and commitment to the conservation, protection and dissemination of environmental values.

Among the winners are Puerto José Banús and Professor José Carlos García Gómez, professor of marine biology at the Faculty of Biology at the University of Seville, who received recognition in the “Biodiversity” category for their contribution to scientifically and technically solving the already chronic problem of management and handling of specimens of a type of limpet, called Patella ferrugínea, currently cataloged in serious danger of extinction and as protected as the Iberian lynx.

This innovative project has been carried out since 2021, with the help of the University of Seville, piloted by José Carlos García Gómez, head of the Marine Biology Laboratory of said university. This project has allowed the transfer of these limpets to an artificial habitat using an innovative technique that is carried out through rapid and manual extraction – in the relaxation phase and during the rising tide – transporting them on holding plates, with a high survival rate.

Thanks to this new method, future transfers will be allowed, duly justified, viable and sustainable, which will facilitate the future introduction of adult specimens into natural habitats where the species is absent, but where it previously existed.

Patella ferruginea, endemic to the western Mediterranean, is the most endangered intertidal mollusk on the list of the European Union Habitats Directive. The transfer of this species of limpet was a scientific challenge faced by port infrastructures that wish to carry out emergency, restoration or expansion of breakwaters.

This award comes at the end of a very promising year where Puerto Banús has also achieved other certifications and recognitions such as: the Blue Flag that is awarded to beaches and marinas for their compliance with environmental responsibility; the ISO 9.001 and 14.001 Quality and Environmental Management Certificates respectively; and recently recognized as the most sustainable marina in Spain by occupying first position in the Ranking of the Most Sustainable Spanish Marinas after the study prepared by the Sustainability Observatory.