During the last fortnight of August, the joint association of the Thau basin partners with the Thau Basin CPIE and launches an awareness campaign for the protection of eelgrass beds. This campaign aims to reconcile the various users of the basin with these fragile and incredibly rich ecosystems.What is an eelgrass bed?Like that formed by posidonia, the eelgrass bed is a true underwater meadow made up of flowering plants. Vulnerable, they require clear, high-quality water to develop. These plants that produce large amounts of oxygen and food play a role as shelter and nurseries (notably for the iconic seahorse). In the Thau lagoon, there are two species of eelgrass, the marine eelgrass and the dwarf eelgrass, which constitute one of the largest eelgrass beds on the Languedoc coast classified as a Natura 2000 site. Having notably regressed from the 1970s, these beds cover about a third of the lagoon’s surface, or 2400 hectares, and it seems they are regaining ground.
The awareness campaignBut these beds in Thau are subject to several types of degradation: trampling, uprooting by boat anchors, various pollutions… In order to reconcile different users, residents or visitors, and generally attract public attention to these ecosystems and their protection, a campaign is launched. Facilitators from the Thau Basin CPIE, an associative network working for environmental education and sustainable development, are present on the beaches of Balaruc-les-Bains, Bouzigues, and Marseillan-town until September 2, 2016. They will reach out to the public to introduce them to the eelgrass beds and the treasures they harbor, while discussing their fragility and the right actions to take. Numerous beach activities and snorkeling excursions are on the program, accompanied by fun discovery tools (models, booklets, comic strips).Mark your calendars– Fridays, August 19 afternoon, August 26 in the morning, and September 2 afternoon at Balaruc-les-Bains near the lifeguard station;
– Thursday, August 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pyramide beach in Bouzigues;
– Wednesday, August 24 and Friday, August 26 at Marseillan-town in front of the sailing club.
Morgane CONSTANTIN
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