Arrels Marines: The Project Born to Protect the Lungs of the Mediterranean

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This local organization, led by its founder Josep Vives, has a clear mission: to safeguard the beauty and identity of the Balearic Islands. The best part? You too can be a part of this initiative!

By: Silvia Ruiz de la Prada Sanchis

January 25, 2021

Arrels Marines: The Project Born to Protect the Lungs of the Mediterranean

By Nicolau Cerdà Pons

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the past year, it’s that the planet is desperately calling out to be saved. And it’s asking for help from the very beings that have caused it the most harm: humans. We only need to look back at the months of lockdown to realize that the flora and fauna we live alongside are far safer without our presence.

We are not doing things right. Although many people act with the best intentions, a shift in mindset and education is crucial from the earliest stages if we are to avoid regretting our actions when it's too late.

This is where projects like Arrels Marines come into play, fighting daily to make this world a better place to live. Founded in July 2020 on the island of Mallorca, Arrels Marines was created to "protect and guarantee the future of a unique ecosystem through replanting, ecological awareness, and environmental education. We aim to become a leading entity in the protection of Posidonia oceanica, while also promoting active participation from both the local population and tourists in the development of a sustainable environment,” explains its founder, Josep Vives, in an interview with Traveler.es.

ARRELS MARINES, THE LOCAL PROJECT BORN OUT OF LOCKDOWN

When the COVID-19 health crisis hit, bringing with it a period of lockdown, Josep Vives —the central figure in this story and founder of Arrels Marines— was working in Bali for Plastic Bank Indonesia, a company fighting to end poverty in developing countries through its social plastic initiative. It was during this time that the 26-year-old International Business graduate and SSI DiveMaster made the decision to leave that life behind and return to his roots—back home.

Arrels Marines' Main Goal: To Protect the Beauty and Identity of the Balearic Islands

By Nicolau Cerdà Pons

“In Bali, I collaborated and coordinated various projects focused on the protection and reforestation of mangroves, as well as coral reefs. I loved what I was doing, until one day I asked myself why I wasn’t dedicating all this effort to protecting my beloved island and its Mediterranean reefs, specifically Posidonia oceanica. “At that moment, I decided to return and start working on Arrels Marines,” says Josep Vives.

Over the past few months, the project has solidified and grown steadily with each passing day. Today, there are eight members working within the organization. “We are a team made up of people from very diverse backgrounds and with very different stories, united by a common passion: the love for the Mediterranean Sea. Personally, I believe that variety is the key to success, and that’s exactly what I aimed for when I decided to create Arrels Marines—to build a team of individuals so distinct that we complement each other perfectly,” says its founder.

“Additionally, five of us are also deeply involved in the world of diving, spending almost more time underwater than on the surface. That’s why I firmly believe it is our responsibility to ensure a sustainable future for the waters that bring us so much joy,” he continues.

And the name chosen for the project? There are two reasons why they settled on this name, which translates to 'marine roots' in English. The first is because their work is primarily focused on Posidonia, a plant that, like all others, thrives on its roots. The second reason, as Josep himself explains: “In Mallorca, we have a saying that no matter how far we go, in the end, we all return to our beloved island, where our roots are—and will always remain.” So they couldn’t have found a better name to represent this initiative.

Posidonia: The Lungs of the Mediterranean

By Nicolau Cerdà Pons

These very same roots are also reflected in the logo, which depicts two lungs, symbolizing Posidonia as the lungs of the Mediterranean.

POSIDONIA OCEANICA IN NUMBERS

By Nicolau Cerdà Pons

We are dealing with the oldest living organism in the world, estimated to be 100,000 years old. With a surface area of 5.5 million square meters, more than 100 different species of organisms depend on this plant for survival. Additionally, as a plant, its photosynthesis is estimated to absorb 338 trillion kilograms of carbon each year, releasing it back as oxygen.

Needless to say, its survival is directly linked to ours. Yet, we continue to harm it with boat anchors, deforestation, overfishing, biological disturbances, irresponsible aquatic tourism, and, of course, sea pollution, which only accelerates climate change.

“That’s why it’s vital to foster empathy towards nature and respect for the environment. The population needs to understand the key role this ecosystem plays in our islands—not just its ecological value but also its importance to industries like tourism and fishing,” says Josep Vives.

In 2018, the Balearic Government drafted and approved a decree law to protect this distinctive Mediterranean plant, but much remains to be done. Organizations like Arrels Marines are leading the charge in this effort.

“Beyond our marine reforestation work, at Arrels, we aim to provide the necessary tools to develop critical thinking and a more holistic understanding of the climate crisis through education,” adds Josep Vives.

The best part? You can also 'adopt' Posidonia! The organization has created an initiative that allows people to symbolically own a small piece of the Mediterranean by adopting plants from their replanting stations. Adoptive participants receive regular updates on the plant’s condition, along with an adoption certificate that includes the coordinates of its location, allowing them to track it whenever they wish.

“Humans have this flaw of only wanting to protect what we love, so with the adoption program, we aim to help people fall in love with Posidonia,” concludes Josep.

THE TIME IS NOW

Yes, the damage has already been done, and we are dangerously close to the point of no return. But there is still hope if we begin acting responsibly and consciously in our daily lives. Every action has consequences, so why not make our footprint on the planet as beneficial as possible?

At Arrels Marines, 2021 is full of plans. In the words of its founder: “We are working closely with several educational centers in Mallorca, developing environmental interpretation plans to start educating in classrooms as soon as possible. We are also conducting studies and assessments in new areas that have been degraded and could therefore be ideal for establishing replanting stations. Additionally, we are collaborating with the Cleanwave Foundation to create a Mediterranean underwater garden in Formentor, Pollença.”

“In the medium and long term, we aim to continue developing our environmental interpretation plan and work with more centers and institutions, including the University of the Balearic Islands. Regarding reforestation stations, we hope to have five fully operational in Mallorca by the end of 2021 and, by 2022, expand to the rest of the islands,” he continues.

Shall we get started as soon as possible?

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