As part of the Climarest project, funded by the EU with €8.5 million, a team of researchers from the Marine Research Centre (CIM) of the University of Vigo and the University of Alicante released 300 juvenile lobsters (Homarus gammarus), measuring between 4 and 8 centimetres, into the intertidal zone of the Toralla Marine Science Station. This initiative marks the start of efforts to restore and repopulate this species in the Vigo estuary. The project focuses on developing tools and pilot programmes to support the restoration of coastal ecosystems across regions from Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean to Madeira Island.
The release, conducted at low tide in collaboration with the Galician Institute for Aquaculture Training (Igafa), took place in a rocky intertidal area filled with crevices, which researchers identified as an “ideal environment for juvenile settlement”. The operation was led by Professor Jesús Souza Troncoso from the CIM’s Coastal Ecology Research Group, EcoCost.
An Ideal Site for Monitoring and Education
The proximity of this rocky intertidal zone to Ecimat allows for close scientific and educational monitoring. This habitat, characterised by numerous crevices, is expected to significantly enhance the juveniles’ survival. According to the project team, the involvement of around 30 Igafa students in the process not only provides hands-on training in marine conservation and restocking but also promotes scientific outreach and citizen engagement. The site’s accessibility further facilitates periodic monitoring to assess the project’s success, contributing to the long-term management and conservation of the species.
A Blueprint for Future Marine Restoration Projects
The primary goal of this initiative is to help restore local lobster populations. Researchers will monitor the juveniles’ behaviour post-release, including their ability to utilise the rocky habitat and seek shelter in crevices. This data will determine the suitability of this habitat for future restocking efforts. “The project aims to test and document a methodology for juvenile restocking and monitoring that can be applied in future marine restoration projects both in Galicia and other coastal areas”, the researchers noted.
Lobsters with Genetics from the Rías Baixas
The juvenile lobsters were bred at Igafa using commercial baskets submerged under bivalve farming installations for 6 to 14 months, reaching lengths of 4–6 cm. The CIM research team highlighted that the juveniles’ genetics come from adult specimens native to the Rías Baixas, ensuring their ecological compatibility and adaptability to the release site. This approach maintains local genetic continuity and enhances resilience during settlement.
Given the juveniles’ small size, long-term monitoring will involve direct visual observations, weather and logistical conditions permitting. Observations will focus on their behaviour during the initial hours and days post-release, with regular follow-ups to track their presence and progress.
A Pan-European Initiative
The Climarest project, “Coastal Climate Resilience and Marine Restoration Tools for the Arctic Atlantic Basin”, involves nearly 20 institutions across seven European countries: Norway, France, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. From December 2022 to November 2025, the project partners aim to develop guidelines for ecosystem restoration and resilience-building in coastal climates.
In Spain, the project includes the University of Vigo, through the CIM’s EcoCost group led by Jesús Souza Troncoso, as well as the Universities of Málaga and Alicante. This lobster restocking initiative was carried out by researchers from the University of Vigo (Jesús Souza Troncoso and Paula Dabán Losada) and the University of Alicante (Laura Leyva Díaz, Pablo Sánchez Jerez, and Estela Carbonell Garzón).
Source: DUVI
