The importance of Posidonia for the marine environment

The Posidonia Oceanica is a marine plant that forms extensive meadows between the surface and 40 metres deep around the Balearic Islands. These underwater forests can host a great diversity of species and are of vital importance for the ecosystem.

Posidonia meadows, also known as seagrass, are a refuge for many species and produce oxygen daily in addition to trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere thus creating tons of biomass per year. In the same way, they come to form structures known as barrier reefs, which today are scarce in the Mediterranean, but have great importance and longevity.

The Posidonia protects and defends the beaches. In winter, the accumulation of its leaves on the shore helps to stabilize the bottom and decrease the effect of the surf on the coast and maintains the quality of the sand. In addition to that, the shells of the epiphytic calcareous organisms of the leaves of this plant are integrated into the accumulated substrate generating beaches of whiter sands.

The fact that Posidonia is intolerant of changes makes it an excellent indicator of water quality. If the Posidonia meadows are healthy, means that the quality of the water is very good.

Although it’s protected by different regulations and since 1992 has been considered an area of priority interest for the EU, it is unfortunately also under threat. The increase in activities in the Balearic waters endangers the conservation status of the Posidonia through direct impacts such as anchors, uncontrolled anchoring of boats, pollution of water from outflows and discharges and mass fishing.

The Posidonia meadows are the lungs of the sea as they absorb enormous amounts of CO2; indeed, about half of the oxygen we breathe is produced underwater. These meadows are responsible for the transparency of the Mediterranean waters and the beauty and biodiversity of their landscapes. For the last 5 decades, data indicates that between 13% and 40% of seagrasses have been lost. This is an alarming statistic as sea grass grows very slowly, at a rate of just 2cm per year.

It's therefore essential for us all to take urgent action to take care of Posidonia and its marine ecosystem and spread awareness among our yachting community in Mediterranean waters.

This concerns us all – if there is not enough green, we cannot enjoy the blue!

So, here you have some tips to help us protect the Posidonia:

• Know the regulation regarding ecological mooring buoys, assistance services and anchorage surveillance such as those existing in the natural marine parks around the Balearic Islands.
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• Sail with navigation charts and use the available apps that indicate restrictions in protected areas where yachts cannot moor and release anchor.
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• Always use ecological products onboard, both personal items such as soap, shampoo and sunscreen, and eco-friendly cleaning products for the yacht.
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• Discharge sewage carefully in designated locations.
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• If you are going to fish, use methods that respect the seabed.
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• Spread the word and share this post!
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Further information

You can check the Posidonia meadows on a map on the following websites:

Balearic Marine Hub

App Posidonia Maps

And of course, if you are navigating or planning to navigate in areas rich in Posidonia, contact Evolution Yacht Agents in palma@evolutionagents.com for detailed advice on mooring and navigation.