Barcelona celebrates recovery of 100 marine species one year after Olympic Port regeneration project

The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, celebrated that more than 100 marine species have been recovered in the Barcelona coast one year after the inauguration of the renovated Olympic Port.

“Not only did it not have a negative impact on this natural environment, but we made the most of the project to reverse the situation of the seabed to introduce life,” the mayor explained during a Tuesday press conference.

Some 50 artificial reefs anchored in the Olympic Port last year have become a refuge and breeding area for species such as mollusks, crustaceans, and sponges, as well as plenty of fish.

Fishing and diving will not be allowed in the area in order to protect this flourishing marine life.

Collboni said that the people of Barcelona should be proud of the work done in the port, even though citizens cannot see it in person.

As part of the biodiversity regeneration project, 20 gabions with mollusk shells were submerged in the area, which have favored the proliferation of native fauna and flora, especially the development of fish larvae and invertebrates common in ports.

The Olympic Port of Barcelona reopened on July 21, 2024, after four years of construction works and with 20,000 square meters dedicated to the 'blue economy', nautical companies and restaurants.

With this reopening, an end was put to nightlife in the area after years of complaints from residents, while it also hosted the 2024 America's Cup sailing competition.