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PROJECTS
of the three pillars
Here you can see the result of the constant dedication of the Arrels Marines team. These are all the projects that we have developed (or are developing) together with other entities, to this day. We could not be more proud of the work achieved, but above all, of having had the opportunity to work with people and organisations that we deeply admire. These collaborations have been a true privilege and an inexhaustible source of learning and inspiration.
AITECHMAC
Application of artificial intelligence to study the distribution of marine macrophyte meadows.
"Artificial Intelligence TECHnology applied to marine MACrophytes"
This project arises from the collaboration between Arrels Marines and HEMAV, a leading technology company specialising in agricultural plot monitoring through artificial intelligence. The primary aim of this partnership is to explore the feasibility of integrating new technologies—such as computer vision, big data, artificial intelligence, and Earth observation—into the fields of marine conservation and restoration. The alliance seeks to create synergies between marine regeneration efforts and innovative technologies to facilitate the collection of large, relevant datasets for studying the distribution of marine macrophytes, their ecological benefits, and the main threats facing these ecosystems.
To achieve this, vast amounts of data, collected both remotely (via drones, ROVs, and satellites) and in situ (through diving campaigns), will be cross-referenced and analysed to: (I) generate marine distribution maps, (II) identify the key factors limiting coastal ecosystem recovery, (III) assess the health and functionality of these ecosystems, and (IV) enhance conservation and restoration efforts for marine macrophytes through more targeted, effective strategies. We are employing the innovative system developed by HEMAV, the LAYERS software, which was initially created to address challenges within the agricultural industry.
Given our current workload and the need to prioritise, we have decided to delay the active search for funding for a few months, focusing instead on the theoretical aspects of the project—its design and updates—to ensure that all the knowledge our scientific team has accumulated over the past years is integrated into the project. Meanwhile, we continue to seek collaborators in the academic and scientific communities.
Land and Sea Alliance
Seven land and sea organisations uniting to address the eco-social challenges Mallorca is currently facing.
The scale and complexity of the challenges we face as a society demand a holistic approach and stronger representation and involvement from local communities. Only through collective action can we effectively safeguard Mallorca’s unique Mediterranean ecosystem, beloved by so many. The island’s land and sea are deeply interconnected, making collaboration between terrestrial and marine organisations not just beneficial but essential.
Over time, we’ve realised that we share common challenges and internal dynamics as we work towards the same goal: a healthy, thriving Mallorca. Yet, too often, we’ve tackled these issues in isolation, as individual entities. This is where the Land and Sea Alliance steps in.
The Alliance is designed to bring together and amplify our individual strengths—knowledge, experience, and resources—to co-create meaningful solutions to the complex problems we collectively face. Throughout 2023 and 2024, we prioritised cultivating a supportive and collaborative process, ensuring that everyone involved felt valued and at ease. This foundation of trust and respect has been essential for genuine co-creation.
Although initial discussions about the Alliance began in 2021, the current steering group was officially formed in November 2022, following a pivotal meeting in Binissalem. At this gathering, attended by more than 20 land and marine entities, seven organisations took the bold step of forming a core team to propel the Alliance forward.
Today, the steering group is composed of five land-based and two marine-focused organisations: APAEMA, CERAI, Fundación Iniciativas del Mediterráneo, Permamed, Fundación Vida Silvestre Mediterránea, Save the Med, and Arrels Marines.
Our shared mission is clear: to pool our efforts and work collaboratively to drive the regeneration of Mallorca’s land and marine environments, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the island.
Bay of Pollença
The Bay of Pollença has been our home long before Arrels Marines; that's why so many of our efforts are focused here.
It is the place that taught many of us on the team to love the sea and dive into its depths, aiming to discover a new world that was once completely unknown to us, and has now become our safe haven. From the very beginning, when we decided to create Arrels Marines in 2020, we knew that a significant part of our work would centre on this bay. It allows us to continue exploring it, just as we did when we were children. But now, with a much more analytical and observant approach, we aim to understand what happens beneath the surface so that we can continue protecting it in the best way possible. These waters hold countless marine wonders and treasures, which captivate anyone fortunate enough to dive in.
For this reason, at Arrels Marines, we’ve always steered clear of catastrophising ('the bay is dead'), stressing that the Bay of Pollença is vast, and although some areas suffer from significant anthropogenic pressures and impacts—such as the inner bay, from the military base to the yacht club (where we conducted our first study)—not everything is as bleak as it might seem, and all is not lost. In fact, the issues in the inner bay (illegal moorings, spills, and pollution...) should serve as a call to action for the entire local community. We must demand that the relevant authorities take responsibility and, together, ensure that through care, awareness, and collective action, such impacts are never again allowed to affect the bay.
Posidonia bathing
A new approach to building a more respectful and conscious connection with shallow marine ecosystems.
The practice of Forest Bathing originated in Japan in 1982, where it was introduced as a way to recognise the therapeutic value of forests in counteracting the stress and anxiety caused by increasing urbanisation. Since then, this practice has spread across the globe, with official training and certifications now available for guides who are professionally trained to lead these activities and ensure their successful implementation.
Beyond the obvious benefits of spending time in forests, several scientific studies have shown that being around water, whether in the sea, rivers, or lakes, can significantly enhance both mental and physical health, while also promoting positive psychosocial and environmental behaviours. With this in mind, we decided to take action!
In collaboration with Trazos de Bosque and the Forest Bathing Association of the Balearic Islands, we adapted this methodology to the marine environment, creating Posidonia bathing. This coastal variation of the practice involves activities conducted on the beach and in the shallow waters, using a mask and snorkel. A certified guide with expertise in marine safety leads the group through a series of invitations designed to foster sensory, emotional, and imaginative connections with the coastal environment.
Through this activity, we aim to offer a new way of relating to shallow marine ecosystems—one that is grounded not in competition or exploitation, but in empathy and the bond we share with the natural world.
It’s worth noting that, after thorough research, it appears we are pioneers in this practice, as it had never been done in the water before!
Critical mass
We embrace life on two wheels and celebrate it by turning our commitment into a joyful, moving celebration!
At Arrels Marines, what we truly love is energising our community—keeping it active, connected, and thriving. We believe wholeheartedly in the power of building relationships and fostering solidarity to grow a network of like-minded individuals, all working toward a brighter future. While we may not have all the answers, we carry forward with the same passion and enthusiasm as on day one, confident that every small effort adds up to something meaningful.
Mobility has always been at the heart of this vision. The way we move impacts far more than we often realise—not just our environment, but also our quality of life, safety, and the social fabric of our towns.
Our critcal masses, now in their sixth edition (three in Pollença and three in Port de Pollença!), are a way to champion safer, more inclusive, and empowering modes of transport. We’re committed to a model that respects both people and the environment, underscoring the importance of moving consciously and responsibly. Each critical mass becomes a space for advocacy. While the specific causes vary, the core remains the same: striving to make our shared home better. Key priorities have included the need for safe school routes to protect our youngest riders and improved connectivity between Pollença’s urban centres to make everyday travel safer and more accessible.
Cycling is more than just a sport or a mode of transport—it’s a celebration of life, a way to share meaningful moments, and a means to strengthen bonds within the community.
As children, we learn; as adults, we often forget. Let’s remember together!
Cafè i Biodramines
A radio programme that’s more than just about the sea – a space designed to refresh perspectives.
In this laid-back (and critical) conversational space, we invite experts from a wide array of fields to explore constructive solutions to the everyday challenges faced by the Balearic Islands. With Cafè i Biodramines, our goal is to educate, inform, inspire, and entertain.
To date, we’ve aired over 30 episodes, delving into current topics and new approaches to tackling ecosocial issues. We’ve covered a range of subjects, including climate change denial and the far right, misinformation, marine conservation and regeneration, citizen science, sociocracy, mass-tourism, mobility, ecofeminism, and much more—all of which can be found on Radio Pollença, Spotify, and Ivoox. When we were first offered the opportunity to host this radio programme four years ago, we weren’t sure whether to accept. Yet today, we couldn’t be more satisfied: the show has allowed us to discuss our passions with people we deeply admire and from whom we’ve gained invaluable insights.
Talaia Nord Forum
An initiative for community stewardship of the Pollença coastline through open participatory processes.
Talaia Nord is the name chosen collectively by 40 participants during the III Forum held on 22 June 2023.
The Talaia Nord Forum is a citizen-led participation initiative facilitated by Arrels Marines in collaboration with Save the Med. This ongoing process began in November 2022 and, by 2024, will have hosted nine forums, approximately four per year. The initiative focuses on improving the management and care of Pollença’s coastline, encompassing both outer waters (northern and western areas) and inner waters (Pollença Bay). It is organised around a series of multi-sectoral discussion forums open to all.
These forums have led to the creation of working groups addressing key issues such as water quality, anchoring, biodiversity, protection frameworks, and public awareness. Additionally, community actions have been launched to influence public opinion and support decision-making processes aimed at improving specific areas of the municipality’s coastline.
The Talaia Nord Forum is part of the U Nord Blau project, a collaborative effort between Arrels Marines and Save the Med.
Underwater photography
We invite people to explore the marine environment from a new perspective: through the lens of a camera.
After nearly five years of environmental education initiatives, we’ve learned that adapting and innovating our workshops is key to reaching the widest and most diverse audience. After all, the marine ecosystem is experienced not only by those who attend conservation talks. With this in mind, we designed our underwater photography workshops (photosub) to offer participants a unique way to see the ocean—through a camera lens. Holding a camera changes the way we perceive the underwater world, revealing intricate details that often go unnoticed. By noticing these hidden aspects, participants can form a deeper and more meaningful connection with the marine environment.
As active collaborators with the citizen science platform “Observadors del Mar,” we’ve woven citizen science into these workshops, contributing to numerous ongoing research projects. These projects include monitoring exotic fish species, jellyfish populations, decapod crustaceans, Mediterranean fish, invasive algae, and seagrass reproduction, as well as studying pipefish and seahorses, protecting nacres, observing underwater deserts, tracking microplastics, detecting marine litter, and analysing fish populations affected by global warming.
These workshops go beyond raising environmental awareness; they empower participants to actively contribute to scientific research. It’s no surprise that underwater photography has become one of our most popular and impactful offerings.
Political advocacy
Given that everything is interconnected with politics, we believe it is essential to begin training in political advocacy.
As the climate, energy, material, and social crises intensify, our vulnerability becomes increasingly apparent, putting the future of everyone at risk. Reversing this situation will require courage. A paradigm shift is crucial—one based on a systemic, cross-disciplinary analysis that allows us to develop a comprehensive perspective. We need a new model that places equity, the preservation of life, the health of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and social justice at the heart of decision-making and action.
With this in mind, and recognising that politics influences every aspect of our lives—particularly in conservation and land defence—we decided to educate ourselves on political advocacy. Since then, we have submitted objections and proposed amendments to regional and national projects, such as the new Ports of the Balearic Islands plan, the Draft Law for the Integrated Management and Planning of the Balearic Coastline, and the PenBal2 (the electrical cable interconnection between Alcúdia and Castellón). We have also suggested the expansion of Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and contributed to drafting their respective management plans, among other initiatives.
At the local level, where Arrels Marines has its strongest presence, during the May 2023 municipal elections, we created a package of cross-cutting, multisectoral proposals for the political parties of Pollença. In total, we presented 65 improvement proposals across 10 key areas, including coastal management, mobility and urban planning, education, and food sovereignty. We also contributed to drafting the request for the management of the Bay of Pollença, which the Pollença Town Council sent to the Ministry of the Sea and the Water Cycle, as well as co-designing safe school routes in Port de Pollença.
We believe that political advocacy by third-sector organisations is essential to ensure that the needs and rights of all—human and non-human—are heard, considered, and incorporated into public policies, leading to fairer, more realistic, and inclusive laws. For these reasons, we will continue to work and educate ourselves in this field with conviction and a critical mindset.
We would also like to express our deep gratitude to the organisations that have been advocating politically for years, from whom we have learned so much (and continue to learn!), and who have set an example of perseverance and commitment.
Educational workshops
In the face of an unprecedented climate crisis, promoting critical thinking is essential to mitigate its impacts.
The Balearic Islands are highly vulnerable due to their reliance on external resources and an unsustainable tourism model. This vulnerability is further exacerbated by escalating climate, energy, and material crises, amplifying a fragility that threatens the future of all. In this context, it is crucial to equip people with the critical mindset and tools they need to empower themselves and actively contribute to reversing the current model. This is precisely the goal of our educational workshops.
We also recognise the importance of engaging everyone who interacts with and impacts the environment. That’s why our work extends beyond students in educational institutions. We strive to involve people of all ages through a wide range of activities, including citizen science workshops, kayaking trips, scientific diving, biodiversity initiatives, and many more.
In our commitment to making the sea accessible to all, we adapt our programmes to include often overlooked groups, such as the elderly and people with intellectual disabilities. We work to create inclusive and accessible spaces where everyone can enjoy the sea and actively participate in the conservation and protection of our environment.
You can find all the details about our ongoing activities on our social media channels. Don’t hesitate to contact us—we’d be happy to share more information. If you represent an educational institution, reach out, and we will gladly send you our activity dossier!
Racons Marins
Our "corners" in the Balearic Sea, where we are conducting research and restoration efforts on seagrass replanting.
This is a community-driven seagrass replanting project, focused on investigating innovative techniques and methodologies for restoring seagrass meadows, such as Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa, in areas with depths ranging from 0 to 15 metres. We are currently working with six different replanting techniques, four of which have been developed by our scientific team in collaboration with local sculptor Xabier Amonarraiz.
The main objective of this research is to identify the most effective replanting technique(s) so they can be replicated on a larger scale, both in our own projects and those of other initiatives. Furthermore, all the techniques we employ are non-invasive, as we only collect fragments of seagrass meadows that have been naturally detached by events such as storms or human activities like anchoring.
While this is a scientific research project, the involvement of the local community is crucial. For Arrels Marines, ensuring community participation at every stage of the process is key to the project’s success. This is why our seagrass replanting efforts are community-based, with local people taking part in all phases, from fragment collection to restoration, monitoring, and marine stewardship. Additionally, the replanting stations serve as both showcases and underwater laboratories, hosting numerous activities and educational workshops, such as citizen science and scientific diving, organised by our team.
The project’s primary goals are: (1) to develop new tools and techniques for seagrass replanting, (2) to restore areas degraded by human activities, (3) to restore blue carbon sinks, (4) to contribute to the regeneration of the Balearic Sea, and (5) to actively engage the local community through volunteering, workshops, and other participatory activities.
In the spring of 2023, Arrels Marines carried out its first seagrass replanting in the Alcanada area of Alcudia, successfully replanting 320 fragments of Posidonia oceanica, with the participation of over 20 volunteers. A year later, although it is still too early to draw final conclusions, the results are very promising: 85% of the fragments have successfully rooted in the seafloor, demonstrating that the techniques used—some of which had never been tested before—are working!
In 2025, our goal is to advance our research further. To achieve this, we plan to establish a new replanting station in an area with distinct biotic and abiotic conditions compared to Alcanada. This will allow us to compare the results and identify the most optimal conditions for future replanting efforts.
ReConnecta
An educational programme designed for a full school year, centred on learning through systemic analysis.
ReConnecta was created to provide students with a broad, interconnected perspective, helping them understand the links between environmental, social, and economic challenges in the Balearic Islands. It connects these issues to our lifestyles and the current socio-economic model. This understanding is vital for developing effective and sustainable solutions to these pressing challenges.
The need for a long-term educational programme like ReConnecta arose from recurring problems observed in one-off workshops, such as a lack of continuity, the fleeting nature of the educational message, and the absence of a holistic perspective.
ReConnecta spans the entire school year, promoting learning through systemic analysis and encouraging students to adopt a global and critical mindset. It equips them with tools to empower themselves and actively contribute to transforming the current socio-economic model. This learning journey begins by exploring 19th-century Mallorca, progresses to an analysis of the present, and culminates in reflections on a potential future, helping students understand where we come from, where we are, and where we want to go.
The programme is divided into three main components: (I) thematic sessions, supporting activities, and experimental field trips, (II) the “Eco-Logical” role-playing game, tailored for secondary school students and (III) Advocacy actions.
The advocacy actions component complements the theoretical aspects of the programme. Students apply the interdisciplinary understanding they’ve gained to explore the connections between environmental challenges and the socio-economic realities of the islands, moving from reflection to action.
Through a guided process, students receive the tools needed to lead and develop environmental, social, or cultural campaigns within their municipalities. Each student proposes and selects a topic that resonates with them, fostering personal involvement and collaboration to address issues they care about.
This work culminates in the third term with a community-wide event. This action, which includes participation from local political parties, other schools, and members of the public, allows students to present their proposals for improvement.
ReConnecta gives a voice to a group often overlooked: young people. It demonstrates that through activism, teamwork, and organised efforts, systemic changes benefiting society as a whole are possible. This experience fosters critical awareness and empowerment, showing students that their involvement can drive meaningful and positive change.
U Nord Blau
We aim to promote, alongside the local community, marine regeneration areas in the municipality of Pollença.
This initiative, led by Save The Med and Arrels Marines, seeks to develop and apply innovative approaches and methodologies for assessing the need and feasibility of creating new marine protected areas, while considering essential qualitative criteria such as ecosystem connectivity, coherence, and integration. The project also focuses on ensuring effective management through the use of new technologies. Crucially, it involves the local community through participatory processes (Talaia Nord Forum), engaging society in shaping proposals, strategies, management plans, and decision-making.
With this project, we seek to gather environmental and socio-economic data about the coastline of Pollença, while simultaneously mobilising, raising awareness, and involving key socio-economic stakeholders and the local community to foster a collective effort. These strategies are designed to support the development of new, more effective approaches to the protection and management of the municipality's coastline.
Through this, we are working together with the local community to strengthen and expand marine regeneration areas in Pollença.
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