Scrutinising Costa Blanca reefs 

ALTEA is included in the Institute of Coastal Ecology’s latest project, Effects of climate change on Levante-Baleares reefs. 
The study, which has the backing of the national government Biodiversity Foundation attached to the Environment Ministry, continues until February 2021 and is being carried out off Altea, as well as the remainder of the Marina Baja coast, Ifach, Cabo de las Huertas and Tabarca Island. 
The first phase of the survey will consist of identifying the colonies of vermetidae – worm snails – and corals native to the Mediterranean. 
Sensors will be installed for continual monitoring of the reefs for indications of climate change, the Institute explained. 
The results will be analysed to evaluate losses in these colonies and the degree of bleaching and mortality affecting the corals. 
“All these species are very vulnerable to variations in sea levels and temperature,” said Miguel Angel Sanchez, who heads the Environment party at the Diputacion, Alicante’s provincial council, which as in the past, is collaborating closely with the Institute on its latest project.