At Club Nàutic Estartit, we live facing the sea every day. We know its beauty, its fragility, and the challenges it faces from climate change and human activity. That is why we firmly believe that our responsibility is not limited to port management or providing services to our users: we have a duty to protect and preserve the marine environment. In this regard, we are proud to announce that we collaborate on the CIGUAADAPT project, a pioneering research initiative dedicated to the study and prevention of ciguatera in the Mediterranean.

What is ciguatera and why do we highlight it?

Ciguatera is a foodborne illness caused by the consumption of marine fish that have accumulated ciguatoxins (CTXs). These toxins are produced by microalgae such as Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa, and can cause gastrointestinal, cardiac, and neurological symptoms. Although for years it seemed like a distant problem, the first autochthonous outbreak in Europe was recorded in the Canary Islands in 2004, and since then, cases have been increasing. This shows us how necessary it is to be prepared to face this emerging threat in our Mediterranean as well.

Why do we participate in CIGUAADAPT?

As an organization rooted in the territory and committed to the sustainability of the Costa Brava, we understand that the best way to protect our sea is to join efforts with the scientific community. The CIGUAADAPT project (2023-2026) aims to:

• Study the presence of harmful microalgae along the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands;
• Analyze which environmental factors favor their expansion;
• Verify how ciguatoxins accumulate in the food web and which species may be affected;
• Provide management and prevention solutions to avoid foodborne illness outbreaks.

This project is led by reference institutions such as the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (CSIC), IRTA, the Marine Biotoxins Reference Laboratory, and the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition. But it also requires the involvement of local actors like us, who know firsthand the reality of the sea and the importance of preserving it. That is why, at Club Nàutic Estartit, we are proud to be part of this collective effort and to contribute our grain of sand, specifically on this occasion by providing spaces and lifting equipment free of charge.

Actions like these are part of our strategy of environmental commitment and support for science applied to marine conservation. We are aware that the sea is our present and our future, which is why we invest energy, resources, and determination in projects that help us better understand it and protect it effectively