Spain - Mero y Pulpo

THE MERO Y PULPO PROJECT

Restoring what people remember

The project operates under the name Mero y Pulpo (Grouper and Octopus). This is not merely a label – it is a deliberate reframing strategy for marine protected areas. Rather than “protecting areas,” the project focuses on restoring and replenishing keystone fish species that are important for biodiversity and Spanish culinary culture.

This reframing is central to the project’s theory of change. Traditional MPA language – habitat protection, biodiversity corridors, no-take zones – is perceived as abstract or restrictive in Mediterranean communities where fishing and cuisine are core identity markers. By anchoring protection in the recovery of species that people remember, cook, and culturally value, the project builds local support rather than local resistance.

An Ecological Problem

• Declining populations of key reef species

• Overfishing by recreational spear-fishers and illegal activity

• Limited enforcement.

An Tourism Problem

• Rapid tourism growth

• Unregulated motorhome parking

• Environmental pressure, waste management issues, and conflicts with residents

Marine Recovery

Focused on grouper and octopus - keystone species for biodiversity and Spanish culinary culture

Drone Surveillance

Coastal monitoring along the Almería coastline

Tourism Management

Regulating motorhome parking areas and reducing environmental pressure

GROUPER

Dusky Grouper

OCTOPUS

Common Octopus

Once abundant in shallow, rocky reefs, the Dusky Grouper is now classified as Vulnerable globally and Endangered in the Mediterranean. Catch declined by 88% across 7 countries between 1990 and 2001.

All individuals begin life as females. Spear fishing is especially damaging — divers target the largest, oldest breeders, rapidly eliminating the reproductive core of local populations.

Mediterranean Spanish octopus landings dropped from 7,889 tonnes in 2000 to 2,867 tonnes in 2016. Key issues include excessive fishing, harvesting of undersized individuals, and lack of monitoring.

Recreational capture is completely prohibited in Almería, with fines of up to €3,000 and seasonal closures from July to September.

WHAT PROTECTION ACHIEVES

Immediate survival

Large individuals survive. Within 3 years, the average fish size in the protected zone increases

Rapid biomass growth

Total biomass grows 3-10x inside the protected zone compared to nearby fished areas

Reproductive spill-over

Large groupers produce more eggs - larvae disperse and replenish nearby fishing grounds