In the celebration of World Water Day, the BIOPARC of Fuengirola, Valencia and the Gijón Aquarium, led by the conservation actions of the BIOPARC Foundation, want to emphasize the importance of establishing global agreements.
Its presence and importance for life is such that our planet should be called “Water”. Its protection has become a global issue and this general implication opens the light towards optimism. The oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface and at the beginning of This March the UN reached a historic agreement for its protection. Along these lines, the celebration of WWD It coincides with the start of the UN Water Conference, with the aim of making it “the year of commitments”. It is essential to seek solutions to the current water and sanitation crisis reflected in SDG 6 to create the Water Action Agenda, as well as address environmental and biodiversity problems.
The BIOPARC, “islands of urban nature”.
The BIOPARCs go beyond the animal park model to become authentic “islands of urban nature”, where The aquatic environment is present throughout the route to show the importance of the conservation of these ecosystems. The innovative design concept of BIOPARC incorporates water as a vital axis. On the one hand, it is integrated into the recreation of beautiful landscapes and, furthermore, it is essential for the well-being of animals, as it allows them to access water just as they would in nature.
World Water Day: It is necessary to address the environmental and social development problems that we face in the management of this precious asset.
Water is a fundamental element in the avant-garde zoo-immersion approach of the BIOPARC of Fuengirola and Valencia, as it is key in eliminating visual barriers and replacing them with natural elements. The same lakes or estuaries in which the animals cool off with a bath, drink or play, are the elements that delimit their facilities. This use of water in the design is impressive for visitors who see the different species really close up and as if they were in nature. Likewise, the water courses link the different recreated habitats where we find some of the most threatened aquatic ecosystems, such as mangroves and wetlands. In BIOPARC Aquarium of Gijón, water generates a journey through the seas and oceans of the world where to discover the secrets of the different ecosystems represented.
The Foundation take another step in protecting water in its complete cycle, from fresh water to salt water and through its Fundación direct conservation actions are developed. Educational and dissemination activities are fundamental and also the use of the audiovisual medium, with the organization of the 2nd edition of the Wild Oceans Filmfest. The Gijón Aquarium hosts a Support Center for the Stranding Network of the Principality of Asturias and collaborates in the ARCA project of the Fishermen's Association of the Mestas del Narcea to increase the number of salmon fry. The parks also participate in the breeding, care and release of endangered species into the wild. like loggerhead turtlesCaretta caretta), mosaic stripes (Raja undulata), catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula), gallipates (Pleurodeles waltl) or samarucs (Hispanic Valencia). Furthermore, the location of BIOPARC in 3 relevant maritime cities has motivated the alliance with the international organization MSC and, among others, support for its “Seas Forever” initiative.
