The Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area (Brindisi) and the adjacent Natural Reserve were the setting for a packed series of events on July 21 and 22, on land and at sea, involving children, young people, and adults in exploration and citizen science activities, as well as diving in the beautiful seabed, kayaking, and e-bike excursions. The two days activities  were part of the European LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project, aimed at promoting and raising awareness of the marine sites of the European NATURA2000 network.

The activities were organised by Federparchi with the Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area – Natural Reserve Consortium and with the participation of project partners Triton Research and LIPU, as well as in collaboration with the Italian Lega Navale and Thalassia.

On Monday 21st, at the Casa del Mare in Punta Penna Grossa, Torre Guaceto, the “hunt for nurdles and the secrets of the sea” took place, a citizen science activity suitable for children and adults. On the fine sandy beach of the Natural Reserve, young and old searched for and collected small plastic residues that are particularly harmful to birds and turtles, as well as pollutants. This was followed by great interest and excitement for “science on the beach”, where a practical demonstration was given of how to use the CTD probe to check the quality of seawater.

On Tuesday 22 July, numerous activities were organised to “Discover Torre Guaceto: cycling, paddling and diving in the Natura2000 network with Life A-MAR”. Eco-tourism routes both on land, with e-bikes, and at sea, with kayaks and snorkelling. A large group of eco-cyclists explored the entire Natural Reserve on e-bikes, stopping at the most important points to learn about the biodiversity of the protected area. Meanwhile, at sea, diving and snorkelling took place to discover the beauty of the marine area and the species clearly visible in the crystal-clear waters of the marine protected area, while a group of canoeists explored the coast by kayak. All activities were carried out in the company of biologists and experts in the field to learn, through direct experience, about the importance of ecosystems on land and at sea.

The LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project, led by Federparchi, aims to raise awareness and promote the marine sites of the NATURA2000 network, focusing on the marine sites of the Mediterranean in Italy (288) and Spain (272). The aim is also to reduce the impact on the sites by guiding the approaches and behaviour of stakeholders (fishermen, divers, tour operators, boaters, organisations) and the public (residents, tourists, fishermen, boaters, divers, etc.).

Federparchi is the leader of the project, which also involves Triton Research, LIPU and Fundación Biodiversidad, a public foundation of the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. The Cinque Terre, Tuscan Archipelago and Asinara National Parks are participating as co-funders of the project.

The LIFE programme is the tool used by the European Union to finance nature and environmental conservation projects to  protect of biodiversity,  fight against climate change and support transition to clean energy and the circular economy.