As part of the Oasi Marina initiative promoted by Beiersdorf and announced last year, MEDSEA Foundation has completed its first Posidonia oceanica restoration intervention in Lacco Ameno Bay, on the island of Ischia.
The restoration activities, carried out in April and coordinated by MEDSEA in collaboration with the Regno di Nettuno Marine Protected Area, took place across two sites at different depths: one approximately 5 metres below the surface, close to the beach of Lacco Ameno, and a second site between 18 and 20 metres deep.
Around 2,000 Posidonia oceanica cuttings were transplanted across a total area of approximately 200 square metres of degraded seabed. The intervention targeted several non-contiguous areas within the bay where seagrass meadows showed signs of decline, mainly due to intense boating activity and tourism pressure.
Often referred to as the "lungs of the Mediterranean", Posidonia oceanica is one of the region’s most important marine species. Its meadows provide habitat for countless marine organisms, help protect coastlines from erosion, and play a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation. This marks the first seagrass restoration effort ever undertaken in Lacco Ameno, with the goal of supporting the recovery of one of the Mediterranean’s most valuable ecosystems.
One of the most innovative aspects of the intervention was the testing of bamboo stakes alongside the traditional metal supports used to secure the cuttings to the seabed. This more sustainable solution naturally biodegrades over time, reducing the need for future removal operations and minimising environmental impact.
To further support the restoration effort, new eco-mooring buoys funded by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) have also been installed in the bay and will be operational from this summer. These moorings will help reduce anchor damage to seagrass meadows and protect the restored areas. Lacco Ameno Bay is one of the most popular destinations on the island during the tourist season and is therefore subject to significant human pressure.
"This initiative represents an important first step towards a more sustainable management of the coastal area, balancing environmental protection, responsible enjoyment of the sea, and public awareness," said Antonino Miccio, Director of the Regno di Nettuno Marine Protected Area.
"For the first time, we are carrying out a restoration intervention so close to a beach, which creates new opportunities for education and public engagement," explained Francesca Frau, MEDSEA's Restoration Manager. "While always ensuring the protection of the ecosystem, the proximity to the shoreline allows us to make conservation efforts more visible and raise awareness among residents and visitors about the importance of Posidonia oceanica. The use of bamboo stakes also represents another step towards increasingly sustainable restoration solutions. We are pleased to collaborate with a company that invests in the future and takes concrete action to protect marine ecosystems."
"We are proud to support the Oasi Marina project, which makes a tangible contribution to protecting Mediterranean biodiversity and safeguarding valuable ecosystems such as Posidonia oceanica meadows," said Anna Grassano, General Manager of Beiersdorf Southern Europe. "This initiative is a concrete example of our approach to sustainability, supporting projects that generate value for local communities while protecting natural heritage. It is fully aligned with our global CARE BEYOND SKIN mission, through which we promote the wellbeing of both people and the environment through long-term, meaningful action."
Would you like to discover more about MEDSEA’s efforts to restore and protect Mediterranean seagrass meadows? Explore our campaign A Marine Forest to Save the Planet and get in touch with us.
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