As part of the EFFECTIVE project, Pilot Area 1 is demonstrating how innovative BioBoosting System (BBS) technology can support marine habitat restoration in low-impact ports and marinas. Located in the Port of L’Estartit (Mar de l’Empordà), the pilot combines ecological restoration with engineering innovation across several operational zones within the port. The team is testing Life Boosting Units (LBUs) designed to enhance biodiversity and provide substrate for the recovery of key habitat-forming species. Restoration actions include pre-seeded plates with Posidonia oceanica seedlings grown from beach-cast fruits, canopy-forming macroalgae (Cystoseira balearica and Cystoseira compressa) cultivated ex situ, and transplanted gorgonians (Leptogorgia sarmentosa). Survival, growth, biodiversity, and species abundance are being closely monitored. In parallel, the pilot is advancing plans for a large-scale artificial reef using the same BBS technology, covering site identification, reef design and stability testing, construction and anchoring, and long-term ecological and socio-economic validation.

Significant progress has already been achieved. During the week of 3–7 November 2025, 22 LBUs were successfully deployed at Club Nàutic L’Estartit across three zones: five units at the harbour entrance, nine at the central pier, and eight at the floating pier. In the floating pier area, an innovative clamp-based fixation system attached to cylindrical columns was implemented and validated, improving both stability and installation efficiency. Environmental sensors measuring temperature and light were installed in each zone to generate continuous datasets for interpreting ecological trends. In collaboration with CSIC scientists (ICM and CEAB), targeted restocking actions introduced five plates of Cystoseira and seven plates of Leptogorgia, carefully distributed according to ecological requirements. A comprehensive baseline monitoring campaign was also conducted, including ROV inspections, in situ multiparametric measurements, and water sampling for nutrients, microplastics, hydrocarbons, and other water quality indicators, establishing a robust reference for future comparisons.

Early monitoring results are encouraging. A follow-up survey carried out on 14 January 2026 assessed structural integrity and early biological colonisation. All units remain stable, with no signs of displacement or degradation, confirming the robustness of both the design and the innovative anchoring system under real operating conditions. ROV footage is currently being analysed to quantify biodiversity and colonisation patterns, providing the foundation for upcoming ecological assessments. Initial water quality analyses have also been completed, offering valuable environmental baseline data. Together, these early findings indicate that the pilot is progressing as planned and that the systems are performing reliably.

One of the main challenges has been navigating the complex authorisation and permitting processes required for marine restoration activities within regulated port and coastal environments. The team is addressing this through ongoing coordination with port authorities, environmental agencies, and local stakeholders to ensure alignment with regulatory frameworks and conservation objectives.

Looking ahead, the pilot will continue its scheduled monitoring campaigns to track structural performance and ecological succession. The analysis of the first ROV survey will deliver the initial biodiversity results, which will be shared through the EFFECTIVE digital platform via API integration between the Ocean Ecostructures system and the project infrastructure managed by CTN. This integration directly supports EFFECTIVE’s broader objective of connecting local pilot actions with a scalable digital framework, enabling data-driven decision-making, knowledge transfer, and replication across other pilot areas.In parallel, the pilot will expand its education and citizen science activities, including local school workshops linked to marine restoration efforts and CoaseaApp features. The site will also host a consortium meeting at Pilot Area 1, complemented by workshops and joint awareness-raising activities with Espai Medes, focused on marine conservation, community engagement, and sensitisation. By combining ecological restoration, digital innovation, stakeholder engagement, and policy alignment, Pilot Area 1 exemplifies the EFFECTIVE approach: transforming site-based interventions into measurable, transferable solutions that contribute to healthier marine ecosystems and more sustainable coastal management across Europe.