PERIOD: 2018-2023
LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE / ES / 000515), financed by the LIFE program, seeks to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS) in the Iberian Peninsula by increasing public and stakeholder awareness through information, communication and training campaigns, and developing key tools to improve an early warning and rapid response (EWRR) framework for new IAS in freshwater and estuarine habitats.
The main objective of the LIFE INVASQUA project is to raise awareness of the Iberian public and stakeholders involved with the problem of IAS on aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the project aims to develop tools that improve an efficient early warning and rapid response (EWRR) framework in the management of new IAS that may appear in freshwater habitats and estuarine habitats.
This project will increase the communication and dissemination of information on IAS and facilitate the knowledge exchange on successful environmental solutions and practices through the development of cooperation between interested parties. The specific objectives are:
Support and facilitate the implementation of the EU Regulation on IAS by creating synergies between knowledge creation and management. LIFE INVASAQUA will develop courses and training days, create priority management lists (Black List of Iberian IAS, Alarm List, etc.) and facilitate the implementation of a trans-Iberian strategy for the management of aquatic IAS.
Increase and improve Iberian capacity for early detection and rapid response in the management of IAS (EWRR) through awareness and training of key groups (surveillance agents, rivers and estuary users, educators and knowledge multipliers, etc.). LIFE INVASAQUA will develop codes of conduct on aquatic IAS, training and information campaigns, etc.
Raise awareness on the general public about the threats caused by aquatic IAS through a mass media communication campaign. Involve the public and relevant stakeholders in monitoring activities with specific training and information materials.
The LIFE INVASAQUA project will:
LIFE INVASAQUA is a knowledge transfer project developed in Spain and Portugal. It is coordinated by the University of Murcia and the participation of 8 additional partners: EFEverde (Agencia EFE), International Union for Conservation of Nature- Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, National Museum of Natural Sciences-Higher Center for Scientific Research (MNCN-CSIC), Iberian Society of Ichthyology (SIBIC), University of Navarra, University of Santiago de Compostela, University of Évora and the Associaçao Portuguesa de Educaçao Ambiental (ASPEA).