On 8th of February, the LIFE Saramugo Project team organized a World Wetlands Day activity to raise awareness of a concrete management measure implemented on the ground to minimize one of the threats that saramugo faces.
One of the threats to the conservation of saramugo is the introduction and expansion of non-native fish species (such as largemouth bass, chameleon cyclid and pumpkiseed fish), which tend to compete (food or space) and predate on postures, juveniles or adults. In addition to being one of the main proliferation points of these species, artificial lentic systems (such as dams) promote their dispersal into natural habitats when discharges occur, undermining ecosystem balance and survival of native fish (such as saramugo).
To minimize the impact of this threat, two devices have been developed under the LIFE Saramugo Project to reduce the inflow of exotic species from small and medium-sized dams into the Vascão streams natural waterways (which houses one of the best preserved saramugo populations) and has been classified as Ramsar Site since December 2012.
The activity on day 8 made known the two retention devices of exotic fish species installed in two dams, also allowed to share knowledge and clarify doubts. This activity was attended by over a dozen participants including representatives from APA, DRAP-Algarve, ICNF, Somincor and Coopessego.
Proving effectiveness after monitoring the devices, this measure is replicable and capable of being applied to the discharge of other dams to minimize the inflow of exotic species into natural rivers and streams.
