The Maritime Museum of Barcelona (MMB) and the Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC) highlight the impacts of invasive species in the Mediterranean through an exhibition. “Marine Invasive Species. The Silent Threat” is open for free at the Museum’s Mirador space. Guided tours by CEAB-CSIC researchers will also be available in January, February, and March.
The Mediterranean Sea faces a global challenge threatening its native species and ecosystems, as well as local economies: the arrival of non-native organisms that establish themselves and become invasive. These species, both plants and animals, displace or even eliminate native species, severely alter habitats, and significantly harm local ecosystems. They also directly affect people, causing economic damage to sectors such as fishing and tourism.
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Organized by MMB and CEAB-CSIC, the exhibition showcases the devastating effects of this growing phenomenon, emphasizing the importance of conservation and marine ecosystem management to enhance resilience. It also highlights the need for action at all levels to reduce the entry and establishment of invasive species, a problem worsened by globalization.
The interactive exhibit explains how globalization, navigation, aquaculture, and artificial canals contribute to the spread of invasive species and emphasizes how climate change accelerates the proliferation of organisms that disrupt natural habitats and displace native species.
A Challenge for Biodiversity and the Economy
The exhibition presents key examples such as the spread of the rabbitfish, which devastates algae communities, or the Asian algae Rugulopteryx okamurae, which causes significant losses in the fishing industry and high beach cleaning costs. It also highlights the Black Sea case, where the Mnemiopsis leidyi species, similar to a jellyfish, collapsed the fishing industry in the 1980s.
Innovative Solutions to a Global Problem
The exhibit also explores creative strategies to tackle this issue, such as the culinary use of species like the blue crab or the pharmaceutical applications of toxins from species like the pufferfish.
Visitors can learn about preventive measures, such as monitoring ports and strategic areas, and citizen science initiatives for early detection of new invasive species.
With accessible content and educational resources, the exhibition invites families to become scientific teams to better understand the impact of these species and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
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Practical Information
“Marine Invasive Species. The Silent Threat” runs until June 8, 2025, at the Mirador space of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, open from 10:00 to 20:00. Admission is free.
Free guided tours, led by CEAB-CSIC researchers, are available with prior registration due to limited spaces:
- Thursday 23/01/2025 – Led by Marc Rius, a researcher specializing in the ecological and evolutionary consequences of human activities on marine ecosystems.
- Thursday 20/02/2025 – Led by María García, who works on prevention and monitoring of invasive species. This session will include a sign language interpreter.
- Wednesday 26/03/2025 – Led by Xavier Turon, an expert in taxonomy, population dynamics, and genomics of benthic invertebrates.
Time: 17:30 to 18:30 h. Registration, here.
L'entrada Marine invasive species, a silent threat ha aparegut primer a CEAB.