Specific programme: Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra POCTEFA 2021-2027

Project title: Development of decision support tools to combat toxic microalgae Ostreopsis spp

Acronym: Ostreobila

Objective: The objective of the Ostreobila project is to provide the coastal cross-border territory with knowledge elements and decision-making tools to anticipate possible proliferations of the toxic algae Ostreopsis and manage the consequences on biodiversity and the health of people visiting the beaches.

Research team:

• Sergio Seoane Parra
• Yago Fionn Laurenns Balparda
• Endika Quintano Erraiz

Partner Entities:

• Communaute d'Agglomeration Pays Basque (Project Leader)
• Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa
• French Institute of Research for the Exploitation of the Mer
• University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
• AZTI Fundazioa Univesite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour - Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux
• Rivages Pro Tech
• Sorbonne Université - Laboratoire oceanographique de Villefranche sur mer
• Institut de Ciènces del Mar

Total budget: €1,432,174.45 Home Project: 01/01/2024

Project end: 31/12/2026

Total project duration: 2 years 11 months and 30 days

Project summary: In 2020 and 2021, numerous reports were made on the Basque coast by bathers and summer beach users to French and Spanish toxicology centres reporting respiratory and skin irritations. The analyses carried out revealed the proliferation of microalgae of the genus Ostreopsis, known to cause this type of skin and ENT reactions, especially in the Mediterranean. In response to this new problem, a cross-border working group was set up in September 2021. It met on several occasions, under the direction of the AIC Litoral vasco (GIS Littoral basque, a French entity). Its members: experts in phytoplanktonic and zooplanktonic ecology; experts in modelling; French and Spanish territorial authorities and regional health authorities. The working group identified actions to be carried out in the short (summer season 2022) and long term, within the framework of this cross-border research programme. The aim of the research programme is to monitor the concentration of Ostreopsis spp. on the coast; to describe the environmental conditions that favour the development of these species of tropical origin; to understand their impacts and toxicity on humans and biodiversity and to develop management tools for authorities (territorial authorities responsible for beach management, health authorities). It is developed under the supervision of the AIC Litoral vasco (GIS Littoral basque, a French entity) and has the best scientific experts in the field, most of them located in our territory, and the territorial authorities (CAPB, DFG).

The Ostreobila project has been 65% co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The objective of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area.

More information about the programme:

https://www.poctefa.eu/

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/es/sheet/95/el-fondo-europeo-de-desarrollo-regional-feder-