"We want to bring the sea closer to people, but also bring people closer to the sea"

What is Arrels Marines?

Arrels Marines is a non-profit association founded in 2020 in Pollença. We’re a marine conservation organisation, but we also have a strong social and community component. Most of the people within the association are from here, from Mallorca, specifically from Pollença and Alcúdia. This gives us a deep-rooted link with the sea.

How did the initiative come about?

It all started quite far from here, in Indonesia. Some of us were working on conservation projects there. We loved what we were doing in the tropics, but one day we wondered why we weren’t doing the same thing at home. When we researched marine conservation projects in the Balearic Islands, we saw there was nothing like what we had in mind. So, we decided to go back and create Arrels Marines. I came back in February 2020 and, shortly after, the pandemic hit. Of course, it was perfect timing.

What does it mean for you to reconnect with your seaside roots?

Although we live on islands, we’ve come to realise that we are largely disconnected from marine ecosystems and the species inhabiting them. I myself, who am from Pollença, could see it: everyone loves going to the beach, to Cala Sant Vicenç, but most are not aware of the beauty that lies under the water. One of our main motivations is to bring the sea closer to people, but also bring people closer to the sea. For this reason, all our activities are hands-on in some way: getting in the water and seeing what’s there, which isn't always pretty.

What role does the local community play in your projects?

Community is a fundamental pillar. When we did our first marine replanting in 2022 in Alcanada, we designed the project so that people could help us from the very beginning: collecting fragments of Posidonia oceanica seagrass, identifying features of the sea floor and even participating in replanting tasks. The same thing is happening now at Cala Murta. Then, when the planting is done, we promote marine stewardship: the people who have taken part see the space as their own, and it’s much easier for them to protect it from a totally different perspective.

How do you approach education in times of ecological crisis?

We try not to be condescending by saying ‘we know everything and we’re here to explain it’. We want to encourage critical thinking based on objective data and practical experience. For example, when we take a group to the water we tell them: we’re doing a replanting project, but why do you think it’s necessary? What’s happened to bring us here? These questions help people to start reflecting and engaging in their own critical thinking.

What are your main projects right now?

We have three. The first is Racons Marins, which includes our marine replanting stations such as those at Alcanada and Cala Murta. These are spaces for restoration, but also for education: we take schools and adults there to do workshops, from planting to underwater photography, bringing science closer to the community.

The second is Capficats, our more activist side. The impacts on the sea are closely tied to the islands’ socio-economic model. That’s why we organise community activities, ranging from sustainable mobility to policy proposals. Our aim is to make them uplifting: making demands can also be fun.

The third is U Nord Blau, which we do together with Save The Med. It has a protectionist approach in the waters of Pollença and Alcúdia, with lots of scientific and community work. We gather information for the future management plan of the bays in collaboration with local, regional and state authorities.

How do you replant seagrass?

We start with fragments of seagrass that have been dislodged by storms or, in most cases, by the mooring of boats. We assess their potential and attach them to the sea floor with different techniques. Two of them have been developed by our scientific team together with a local sculptor, using local materials such as sandstone and ceramics. We plant the fragments in plots of one square metre, each with twenty fragments, then monitor them to see which technique works best and under which conditions.

Are you seeing good results?

It’s still early, because seagrass grows very slowly, but in Alcanada, two years later, we have a survival rate of 85%. It’s much more than we expected and very hopeful. Even so, we’re continuing our research and exploring other marine plants as well.

As well as conservation, you promote activities such as bike rides. What purpose do they serve?

The bike rides are part of Capficats. They’re an uplifting way to reclaim public spaces that have been taken over by cars for years. We want to promote mobility that’s kinder and more sustainable. We’ve done six so far, with people of all ages, and the support has been amazing.

You also have a radio show, Cafè i biodramines. What does this mean to you?

Yes, the fifth season starts in October. At the beginning we weren’t sure whether to take the plunge, but it’s been a success. It’s been fun, brought new people to the team and allowed us to hear from experts on many subjects. It’s a space for relaxed conversations about issues affecting the islands, as if we were having coffee in a bar.

How important is it for you to work with children?

It’s essential. We work with schools, but we also promote intergenerational learning. We want to bring back the knowledge of older people, such as fishermen, who know special techniques and places. And we can’t simply wait for children to solve the problems created by previous generations in the future. It wouldn’t be fair to unload that burden onto them. It’s also important to work with adults, who can have an impact on the environment today.

What has Aliança Mar i Terra given you?

This is a project between seven organisations: five on land and two at sea. It’s not easy, because each one has its own approach, but it is very rewarding. It’s helped us to learn and propose joint projects with a cross-cutting vision: on an island, the land can’t be understood without the sea, nor the sea without the land.

If someone wants to get involved, how can they?

We’re happy to welcome anyone. We have an office at Port de Pollença, open to everyone, and we can also be contacted via our website or social media pages. The main thing is that anyone who’s concerned about the sea should come along: there’s always a way to get involved.

How do you see the future of the Balearic Sea?

I’d like it to be like it was 100 years ago, although that may be a bit utopian. But if we reduce our impact, nature is incredibly resilient; we’d be amazed by its ability to recover and to flourish again. We might not be able to go back a century, but we could get back to where we were 50 years ago, which wouldn’t be bad either.