Vellmarí – Protecting the Great Meadow of the Mediterranean
In line with its ocean commitment, Blancpain collaborates with Vellmarí and its founder, marine biologist and National Geographic explorer Manu San Félix. Their mission is to protect and develop the Great Meadow of the Spanish Mediterranean and its Neptune Grass, Posidonia oceanica, by replanting the destroyed Posidonia, educating and changing the mentality of the people, and initiating action for the protection of the Spanish Mediterranean and the Posidonia, with the goal of preventing further damage being caused. To achieve these goals, Vellmarí has set forth two projects: The Great Meadow and Reserva30.
The Great Meadow
The submerged Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea are a natural reserve for fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, as they are places for spawning, shelter, and food. They also cause the waves to break with less intensity on the beaches, preventing the loss of sand. For years, and until the anchoring of ships in the Mediterranean Sea was regulated, many of these meadows have been destroyed. The Great Meadow is a project to plant Posidonia oceanica to recover the lost Posidonia in the Parc Natural de Ses Salines, located between Formentera and Ibiza. In 2024, 10,000 Posidonia oceanica will be planted through a program of volunteers. The restored area will cover about 7,000 m², thanks to this project, which is also being supported by IMEDEA (Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies).
Over the last two years, more than 10,000 posidonia plants have germinated from fruits collected from the coasts of the island of Formentera, which arrived driven by the wind and currents. The objective of the restoration is to spread this message: “How easy it is to destroy and how difficult it is to recover. That's why the most important goal is to protect what we have.” Based on this idea, Vellmarí, with the support of Blancpain, launches its next campaign: Reserva30.
Reserva30
Reserva30 is a campaign whose aim is to collect as many signatures as possible from Spaniards in support of the Declaration for the Mediterranean, whose objective is to recover the Mediterranean Sea through sustainable fishing, water purification, and the creation of marine protected areas, promoting the protection of 30% of the Spanish Mediterranean. Reserva30 takes the initiative proposed by the Campaign for Nature as its starting point, with a resolution signed by 196 countries, including Spain and the rest of the EU, that aims to ensure that 30% of the planet is declared protected by 2030. According to Vellmarí, there are numerous studies that demonstrate the benefits of marine protected areas where fishing is not allowed, both in terms of the ecosystem and for local fisheries, which will see their profits and catches increase in a short time span. The Reserva30 campaign aims to ensure that marine areas are set aside where fish can grow, reproduce, multiply, and finally leave the protected areas, thus favoring fisheries.
Vellmarí affirms the importance of promoting real protection so that “paper marine protected areas” do not continue to be created. In 95% of the marine protected areas in the Mediterranean Sea, there is no difference in the restrictions imposed inside and outside the reserves. That is why only 0.2% of the Mediterranean Sea is closed to fishing. Raising awareness among a large part of the population is essential to achieving environmental goals of this magnitude. Today, the many activities for exploration and conservation of the oceans, passionately driven by Blancpain globally, have borne fruit, contributing to a significant increase in marine protected areas worldwide, with 4.7 million additional square kilometers.
About Vellmarí & Manu San Félix
Manu San Félix is a dedicated marine biologist, photographer, filmmaker, and is known for his relentless efforts in ocean conservation. His passion for our seas is evident through his active involvement in numerous conservation projects and education initiatives with Vellmarí, aimed at protecting marine ecosystems. One of his most significant contributions is his involvement with the Pristine Seas project, a National Geographic initiative, supported by Blancpain. Since 2008, Pristine seas seeks to identify, study and protect the last wild, untouched places in the ocean. The project combines exploration, research and media to create compelling cases for the establishment of marine reserves. As a part of this initiative, Manu San Félix works alongside scientists, policymakers and local communities to promote the preservation of critical marine environments.
Vellmarí was created in 1993 on the island of Formentera, Spain, founded by Manu San Félix. The objective of Vellmarí is to generate a change of mentality in the way we manage our oceans. The Mediterranean Sea meets the ideal conditions to do so. With the support of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, Vellmarí carries out two campaigns: The Great Meadow and Reserva30.