(en) Restoring Paradise

It is nine months since the initial clearance, only occasional maintenance is now needed and the effect is starting to show. Algae are growing on the rocks and the number of grazing fish is increasing. Just about everything else is growing from there up, though the butterfly rays are in the bay only for mating, and the turtles just seem to like the place.

David from Ocean Dreams Factory is passionate about the project. He explains later that it will be a few seasons before the undergrowth fully matures. To build fish stocks, he has been providing food in the form of fish-heads but not feeding by hand, just laying it on the bottom. His scientific advisors want to boot-strap the area's regeneration, not create a feeding site. Over the next year the feeding will be phased out completely. David asks divers just to dive, look and enjoy, and to leave everything else to him and his team.

The sea urchin is one of the most abundant species of invertebrates on the sea floors of the Canary Islands, and has become one of its biggest problems over the years. More than 60% of the ecosystems of the rocky coasts of the Islands have been affected by the sea urchin, whose uncontrolled growth rates have been favoured by the disappearance of natural predators leading to the formation of underwater deserts, “blanquizales”. Within these areas, the shelter offered by the cover of algae has been destroyed, and this in turn has adversely affected the local fishing industry and poses a serious threat to the conservation of the marine ecosystems in the islands.

The Ocean Dream´s Factory and Océano Sostenible have been working hard to recover El Puertito de Adeje, helping it grow into a haven for numerous species including 7 green turtles (Chelona midas), a species at the top of the list of protected species in the Canary Islands, seahorses (Hippocampus ramulosus), and Harlequin crabs (Platypodiella picta), among many others. 

This scenario clearly pointed the need to develop a marine stewardship scheme, with the appropriate management Tools.

FLYOVER - an experience in wilderness conservation and a way towards sustainable tourism.

Getting to know the uniqueness and value of our marine reserves, watching over the hard impact of diving activities over the environment and minimising its negative effects are the main targets of FLY OVER. This experience is aimed at both residents and visitors to the island, reaching over to a wide variety of divers, from beginners with no experience, to expert divers. It is in fact intended for anyone who wants to experience conservation first hand and wishes to interact directly with nature whilst at the same time respecting the needs of the amazing creatures found beneath the waves.

Supported by PADI Project Aware and Océano Sostenible, The Ocean Dreams Factory will immerse the visitor in a Marine Micro-Reserve experience, discovering the beauty of Costa Adeje, offering him both a helpful exercise in environmental assessment and a powerful preservation tool.

With a high level of service and security, in the hands of long experience diving instructors, beginners will “fly” underwater over the regenerated area, getting to meet the species that live there, and participating in research and conservation activities. This constitutes a gratifying addition to this unique offer in active eco-tourism, which makes it a new reference worldwide. An instructor will accompany each diver throughout the entire dive.

Thanks to its creator’s commitment to nature and environment protection, the benefits sre donated to finance Oceano Sostenible´s management, of the first regenerated Marine Micro-Reserve.

The Marine Learning Centre at EL PUERTITO DE ADEJE

Océano Sostenible collaborates with public administrations and private marine corporations in order to develop the creation of the first Marine Learning Centre at El Puertito de Adeje. Once established, this centre will bring an opportunity to develop management strategies of the marine resources, help preserving the area and aid setting the bases for the creation of a local sustainable model.  Once achieved, this would offer a chance for developing strategies to help regulate and manage the marine assets in a sustainable fashion, thus avoiding the degradation of the recovered areas in an effort towards the adoption of policies that will stand the test of time.  Applying scientifically based models that ensure the rational management of natural assets is not only essential to achieve this, but also sets a necessary emphasis on the educational aspects of the project.

The concession by the Ayuntamiento de Adeje of authority over territorial regulations to Océano Sostenible for the Marine Micro-Reserve, will ensure the promotion of environmental values and the optimization of such an important touristic asset. This initiative is without precedence.

Quoting Adeje’s Tourism Councillor Mr. Miguel Ángel Santos: “This pioneering and scientific initiative is an example of the council’s commitment to the environment, a pilot experience that will stimulate studies of our biodiversity, encourage the sustainable development of our marine surroundings and increase our knowledge about our natural heritage”.

The Marine Learning Center started its activities with the Honu Project in 2009. Ever since, it has put in practice multiple educational projects and activities. All actions have made a use of TIC techniques, creating distinctive developments of free software and using the World Wide Web to raise awareness and reach a much broader audience.

Océano Sostenible offers its support and full collaboration to scientific institutions wishing to study its environmental model, or carry out research projects inside the recovered area.

Océano Sostenible is a non profit association that works for the Ocean conservation. More information: info@oceanosostenible.org   ---  www.oceanosostenible.org

* Scientific Director of the Project: Ph. Francisco Javier Almunia         info@oceanosostenible.org

* Technical Director of the Project: David Novillo Gomez         david@oceanosostenible.org

* Contact: María Feduchi  : prensa@oceanosostenible.org

More information: www.oceandreamsfactory.com

www.oceanosostenible.org

See also this movie by Morganonline:

http://youtu.be/M28531ZSJSQ