Marine restoration is a set of actions aimed at recovering the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, reversing damage and recreating natural conditions so that marine habitats can once again function in a healthy and balanced way.
The Centre de la Platja (Barcelona City Council) connects the city with the sea through training, awareness-raising, and involvement in citizen science and marine restoration projects.
One of the most emblematic projects is Gorgonia Barcelona, a citizen science initiative promoted by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM CSIC) and the Catalan Federation of Underwater Activities (FECDAS). Its goal is to restore the seabed dominated by the gorgonian Leptogorgia sarmentosa, a key species for marine biodiversity. The project involves scientists, divers, schools, and local entities in a collaborative process that includes the collection, cultivation, and reintroduction of gorgonians into the sea. In parallel, the BCN Bajo Mar project, promoted by the BCN Port Innovation Foundation, is committed to the regeneration of the seabed through technological innovation and the promotion of the blue economy. The project begins on Sant Sebastià beach—one of the most biodiverse in the city—and seeks to actively involve the local community in marine restoration.
These projects are part of a broader framework: the international Ocean Cities Network. With the support of UNESCO and coordinated in Barcelona by the ICM-CSIC, this network promotes marine restoration as part of a broader urban transformation that includes planetary health, cultural diversity, and global justice.
Thus, the Beach Center becomes a strategic hub for the restoration of marine nature from an urban perspective, demonstrating that citizen science can be a powerful tool for regenerating ecosystems and reconnecting society with the sea.
The Centre de la Platja is open to the public from April 1 to October 31, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a program of diverse activities for everyone.
