The port’s biodiversity under scrutiny
12 September 2022
Certified “Clean Ports” since 2014, the Old Port of Golfe-Juan continues to take its environmental approach very seriously, as illustrated by its decision to draw up an exhaustive inventory of its biodiversity. Aim? Find out more, to guarantee the best possible environmental stance.
Whether land- or sea-based, the biodiversity (meaning the specific diversity of species and the number of individuals) present exclusively within the port area is observed in close detail and recorded. The investigation undertaken by the port aims to identify the best solutions and equipment to be deployed to guarantee successful ecological restoration. Put simply, the goal is to recreate habitats for the different species, to protect biodiversity more effectively and foster its development.
A precise, high-quality study
Entrusted to two service providers – Agir Ecologique for the land study part, and Aquanaute Expertise for the marine dimension -, the specifications for this investigation were extremely stringent, to ensure the findings would be comprehensive and spot-on*. “We prospected all the basins in the port, which we split into nine separate areas of study. Our professional divers made their observations at depths of between one and four metres. With two dives per area, and an investigation that lasted five days in total, we were able to draw up a precise inventory of the Mediterranean flora and fauna present, and we’re currently compiling that information into a report,” explained Stéphane Jamme, who manages Aquanaute Expertise.
Finding the most appropriate solutions for each species
On land, the ideal solution is to build bug hotels and nesting boxes for birds. Underwater, the port already has seven nurseries for young fish on its southern seawall. They were built and installed by Jacques Moro – a pleasure boater at the port – using various materials such as authentic ceramics from Vallauris, and with help from a plastic artist from the potters’ village who is strongly committed to this worthy cause.
Read the full article in the Letter from the Port of Golfe-Juan #11
* The data collected through this study will be presented in a future edition of the Letter from the Port, and will also be available for consultation on the port website.
© Photo Stéphane Jamme – Aquanaute Expertise