The jewel in the Mediterranean crown
An underwater plant that was the great unknown, labeled as a nuisance on white sand beaches and even in many places removed from the shores when the tourist season arrived.
Nowadays we know more about it, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and inhabiting the coasts of our sea and our beloved island of Menorca.
Its habitat is between the shore and 40 meters deep in the Balearic Islands, the clarity and cleanliness of our waters allows it to live at that depth.
However, on the peninsular coast, as the waters are less clear and transparent, their habitat does not exceed 30 meters.
Indicative of the health of the waters it inhabits, it is one of the jewels in the crown of the Mediterranean, its wobble to the sound of the sea is a spectacle worth seeing in summer.
As it is a deciduous plant, in autumn it loses its leaves that are deposited on the beaches with the currents, generating a natural protection from winter storms, preventing the advance of the sea and the disappearance of sand.
Although at first glance it appears to be lifeless, the Posidonia de Menorca y del Mediterráneo is home to a large number of animals in different habitats, from hedgehogs, salps to a wide variety of microorganisms that benefit from its existence and Sediments.
Great producer of oxygen, as a plant that it is and not algae, it also captures carbon dioxide and with its leafy foliage captures suspended particles that are deposited at its base generating the clear waters of our coast.
Recent studies have determined that Posidonia is the longest-lived living being on the planet, determining its existence in more than 100,000 million years, a not insignificant figure that should make it worthy of our respect.
Specifically in the "Freus" of Formentera, the largest extension of Posidonia ever found was discovered by chance, it is estimated that it occupies about 700km2 of surface and was considered the largest living being in the world.
As you can see, the figures and information we provide you with are reason enough for several protection systems to have been developed, not in vain currently the Government of the Balearic Islands carries out anchoring controls on recreational boats throughout the summer in order to preserve this jewel of the history of our planet.
At the beginning of the season its leaves occupy our beaches and bring sand to them, hence the white of our virgin coves, since their leaves give off debris that becomes part of the sand.
In addition, its leaves represent a great contribution of nutrients to the plants of the dune systems that have been recovering in Menorca for a few years, leaving a floral and biodiversity spectacle in our virgin coves.
In the Balearic Islands we have been pioneers in the protection of such a precious treasure and even more so in times of Climate Change when its function as a tireless CO2 collector makes it even more important for our sea and our planet.
An intensive monitoring system sanctions the deterioration of these meadows since the most important in Spain is located in our Balearic Sea.
We hope that with our little article you get an idea of the importance of this underwater plant that often becomes a nuisance on the beaches, but like everything in this world it has its function.
In our article you will find links where you can delve into the subject as we have made a small and schematic summary about his life and miracles.
From the Don Joan and the Fiesta Rojo, our boats, one departing from the Port of Mahón with its underwater view will let you contemplate the Posidonia in the beautiful "Clot" de la Mola, at the foot of its imposing cliffs and the other setting sail from Ciutadella.
The Fiesta Rojo will stop in virgin coves where you will realize the work done by our underwater plant, the transparent waters, the white sands and the leafy dunes are its magnum opus giving those bright colors and transparencies to our sea.
Anyway! What else are we going to tell you, all that remains is for you to share with us a day of sailing on the Fiesta Rojo or a pleasant crossing of the Port of MahKnowing its history and anecdotes from the Don Joan Catamarán.
We look forward to seeing you on board!
