At SUBMON we work to conserve marine biodiversity and to achieve a sustainable use of the marine environment, and we do so by promoting a change in the relationship between society and the sea, through on-site actions and using and transmitting knowledge.

Foundation date

2008

Members

Multidisciplinary team of 12 people

Location

Barcelona

Milestones achieved

  • More than 250 national and international projects carried out.
  • More than 5000 cigarette butts and more than 7000 plastic fragments removed during beach cleaning on our coasts.
  • More than 250 bottlenose dolphins identified in the Cap de Creus area, and more than 2500 miles sailed with “Dofins de Tramuntana”.
  • More than 17000 kg of waste removed and more than 50 hectares studied in posidonia conservation projects.

Risso’s Dolphin

Source: B. Tintoré, SUBMON

Ongoing initiatives

  • Scars Project: study and conservation of the Risso’s dolphin, one of the most unknown species in the Mediterranean.
  • “Dofins de Tramuntana”: study and conservation of marine ecosystems and the bottlenose dolphin in Cap de Creus with the collaboration of the fishing sector.
  • “Educamares”: educational project to disseminate marine Natura 2000 spaces to secondary and high school students on the coast.
  • “Som platja”: educational project that aims to improve the environmental state of the coastline and beaches, with the involvement of secondary school students from Catalan coastal municipal institutes.

Environmental education

Source: SUBMON

Removing hook (Olive Ridley)

Source: M. Parga, SUBMON

Current concerns

Mainly, the very little that the Spanish population knows about the sea and its species. We are almost completely surrounded by sea, and yet very few people know that our waters are full of species such as the loggerhead turtle or the common whale (the second largest animal in the world!), or extensive grasslands of marine plants that are only found in the Mediterranean Sea.

Upcoming objectives

  • Expand the knowledge that people have about the sea.
  • Generate a community of aware and active people who live the sea with commitment.
  • Reduce the impact that marine litter has on the environment.
  • Study the populations of cetaceans on our coasts in collaboration with fishermen, administrations, citizens and other sectors involved.

How can I help?

Spread the work of SUBMON. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

If you own a boat in Catalonia, help us study cetacean populations in our waters by sharing your sightings with us.

Sources of funding

Public funds, European funds, own funds and private funds.

Sea bottom cleaning

Source: SUBMON

Beach cleaning (Viladecans)

Source: SUBMON

A dream

That we learn to enjoy and the sea in a sustainable way.

Good habits

  • Promoting a responsible fish consumption –if it’s possible, from a local origin or a small-scale fishery.
  • Leaving the garbage (butts included) in a wastebasket, not the floor or toilet.
  • Always try to know which fund you are going to fund and avoid using Posidonia funds
  • Not touching and bothering any animal you see at the beach or coast.
  • For snorkeling, diving, kayaking, whale watching, etc., only use tour operators who follow good practices, and file a complaint if you see bad practices.

A disturbing reflection

The sea produces more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe and is home to 80% of the planet’s living organisms.

Did you know that 80% of marine litter comes from the land environment? These wastes reach the sea through different routes: sewers, rain, collectors, wind, etc., and that is why they are not exclusively the responsibility of the people who live on the coast, it is a global problem that is everyone’s responsibility.

A reflection for hope

Children, with their great ability to observe, learn, draw conclusions and educate their own parents, are the greatest hope that we have in the conservation of the sea. We need to focus our education and awareness efforts on them, without any doubt.

Underwater research work

Source: J. Sánchez, SUBMON