The project “Sal C – Valorization of Salt Flats for Carbon Sequestration and Mitigation of Climate Change”, winner of the “Promove 2023 Award” from the “La Caixa” Foundation, will be presented at Revelim de Santo António, in Castro Marim, at 10:30 am , on November 30th.
The application for the “Promove” program, which aims to boost the interior regions of Portugal, in partnership with the Foundation for Science and Technology, was supported and coordinated between the Municipality of Castro Marim, BlueZ C Institute – Association for Marine Conservation and Carbon Economy, Eurocidade do Guadiana and the company MadeinSea.
Its promoters explain that «this project demonstrates that the installation of seagrass in the salt marsh channels allows, in a sustainable way, the sequestration of blue carbon at a rate 30 times more efficient than the forest», in addition to guaranteeing «the improvement of water quality and microplastic retention».
With a total investment of around 200 euros, 75% supported by the “La Caixa” Foundation, the project “will increase the value chain of one of the most relevant activities in the Castro-Marine economy, traditional salt farming, promoting the profitability of salt mines , by transforming a seasonal activity into a permanent activity and creating new qualified jobs».
Another determining factor is its «potential in safeguarding the future conditions of salt and fleur de sel production, by allowing the retention of potential polluting elements and microplastics that may appear in seawater».
For the Municipality of Castro Marim, this is «a project integrated into the values of efficiency and sustainability intended for the territory, articulated with the commitment that has been made on the blue carbon path, in addition to the valorization and promotion of natural heritage and growth in the economic activity of salt farming».
«It has the potential to disseminate as a good practice and international positioning of the potential of the Castro Marim salt flats», highlights vice-president Marim Filomena Sintra.
Comments