Aquatic invasive alien species of freshwater and estuarine systems: Awareness and prevention in the Iberian Peninsula
OBJECTIVES
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.
ACTIONS
Preparatory actions
- DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT COMMUNICATION PLAN.
- DIAGNOSIS OF THE SITUATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN THE EARLY WARNING AND RAPID RESPONSE (EWRR) FRAMEWORK.
Implementation actions
- TRANS-IBERIAN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ADRESSED TO MANAGERS & DECISION-MAKERS, NGOs AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY.
- TRANS-IBERIAN COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION AND TRAINING CAMPAIGN ADRESSED TO KEY GROUPS.
- TRANS-IBERIAN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN ADRESSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC (CITIZENS)
- AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COLLECTION OF IAS DATA.
Monitoring the impact of the project
- MONITORING THE VISIBILITY OF THE PROJECT AND THE TRENDS IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC, EXPERTS AND INSTITUTIONS TOWARDS IAS.
- EVALUATION OF THE EWRR TOOLS EFFICIENCY.
Communication and dissemination of the project and its results
- GENERAL COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF THE PROJECT AND ITS RESULTS.
- REPLICABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY: DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS AND LESSONS LEARNED.
Project management
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The LIFE INVASAQUA project will:
- Reduce the introduction and negative impacts of IAS on aquatic environments and their native species in the Iberian Peninsula. This reduction will be due to the increase in public and stakeholder awareness and training.
- Improve and effective implementation of the EU Regulation on IAS by creating tools such as priority IAS management lists (black lists, alarm lists, etc.), facilitating the development of a Trans-Iberian strategy for IAS, developing codes of conduct and good practices, updated web platforms, courses and conferences on IAS, etc.
- Increase public information and awareness of the general public with more than 100 activities or events planned that will engage citizens thorough mobile applications, websites, exhibitions, etc.
CONSORTIUM
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).