e-mail: asociacion@produnas.org 
Bank Account: La Caixa - Capricho - 29600 Marbella:
2100 2231 32 0200213038
IBAN: ES80 2100 2231 32 0200213038
SWIFT: CAIXESBBXXX

REPORT ON OUR ACTIVITIES

Identifying and Classifying indigenous Plants

As we strive for the dunes of Bahía de Marbella to be declared “Natural Monument”, we have undertaken the task to make a complete register, identifying and classifying the indigenous wild plants that grow in these dunes, and so far we have been able to identify over 35 different plants. Every year we are detecting several new ones and we are very pleased to witness the regeneration power of this indigenous vegetation.

Days dedicated to the eradication of the Carpobrotus Edulis (Highway Ice plant)

Every year, in the autumn we hold these Days for the Eradication of the invasive plant Carpobrotus Edulis/ Highway Ice Plant – and the Members of our Association take an active part in them. To make this task lighter, the Association offers drinks and refreshments to everyone participating. It is necessary to remove this plant and clean up the ground, or else it would invade the dunes completely, killing all other indigenous vegetation of the dunes. Even in times of draught this invasive plant has the strength to extend over large areas. This plant is indeed very pretty, blossoming white and purple flowers, and many visitors do not understand why we work so hard at removing them. Yet, these actions are necessary in order to preserve the natural habitat of the dunes, with its varied vegetation, and it is the duty of our Association to ensure that this ecological balance is not altered. We must inform everyone, including all neighbours of the dunes area and make them aware that their wish to enhance the dunes landscape with plants that are not permitted by Environmental Authorities is harmful to the development of the dunes eco-system.

Fire-Prevention in the dunes of Bahía de Marbella

Every year, during the warmest and driest months of the year (July to October) we cooperate with the Emergency and Fire brigade Services. At the beginning of summer, we set out on an awareness campaign, through information posters, so all visitors to the dunes and beaches are aware of the fragility of the dunes vegetation, and the dangers involved, and that any minor neglectful act could cause the complete destruction of indigenous vegetation of the dunes in a very short time.

Police forces cooperate in accordance to the regulations imposed by Environmental Authorities, and respond immediately when summoned to the dunes and the beach by the Association.

European Day “Caring for the Coast”

Every Autumn, in cooperation with the Volunteers of ‘Coastwatch' we take part in the program to care for the coast, collecting water samples from the sea to test the quality of the water of our stretch of coast (5 km) in order to detect the presence of Nitrates and Streptococci, and all results are entered in an European Statistics register. Therefore, our participation in this activity is great relevance.

Active cooperation with C.R.E.M.A - Aula del Mar, Málaga (Centre for the Recovery of Marine species under threat of extinction)

Due to the geo- and orographic location of our Association, we are participating in their program for rescuing beached Cetaceans and Turtles, covering a strip of 100 km of coast, between Fuengirola and Sotogrande. We respond promptly to all calls, and go to the indicated location. In this way, we contribute with valuable data for reliable Statistics on such beachings in the Andalusian coastline. Unfortunately in just one year we have had to assist over 60 Dolphins and Turtles. Regrettably, we were able to save only 2 Boba turtles, from all these beached animals, which we personally took to the Recovery Centre C.R.E.M.A., where they are being attended, and will eventually be returned to the sea, once they have totally recovered.

At the same time, we are working on making the public aware of this, and the public react very positively to the fact that there is prompt assistance from an Association for beached cetaceans and turtles. In order to reassure the onlookers on the beach and encourage their cooperation, and for those that have raised the alarm, we have plasticized leaflets which we leave at the beached animal, informing them that the animal has been inspected by our Association. This measure has met general approval.

The Association have been invited to assist in the feeding of a nursing baby dolphin that was recovered from a beach in Mijas Costa on the 29^th of July 2006. The dolphin was kept at the Recovery Centre during 2 months, until the 25^th of September 2006 when it was released back to the sea. The feedings took place every 2 hours through a feeding tube, as the dolphin was still very young, and later fresh fish filets were added, until eventually it was able to eat whole fish. One member of the Association learned to hold the dolphin during the feeding process, while a second one held the feeding tube to inject the feeding prepared with all the necessary ingredients for the recovery of the baby dolphin.

This proved to be an unique experience and we are very proud to have had the chance to take an active part in the recovery of this precious being.

 Citizen cooperation

1º - Oil Prospection Ship “Atlantic Explorer” and assistant ship “Amder G” in the Costa del Sol, between Málaga

       and Estepona

In order to keep a watch over the preservation of the natural habitats, the Association have addressed letters to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce and the Navy Command in Malaga, referring the possible negative environmental, social and financial impact there could be as consequence of the Oil Prospections in Marbella and the Costa del Sol. All our writings have been duly replied to, and we hope that the financial interests will not prevail, and eventually spoil the wonderful coast we all enjoy.

Throughout the time that the Oil prospection ship went along the coast between Malaga and Estepona, performing seismic explosions day and night, we kept an exhaustive watch over their actions and the impact these had on cetaceans and any possible beaching.

2º - Water supply (Mancomunidad de Aguas )- Acosol

As we detected a water leak of sewage waters from the main collector located next to Bahia de Marbella, we contacted the ‘Mancomunidad de Aguas’ in Marbella with both written and photographic documentation requesting prompt action to repair the water pump at the collector next to Los Monteros. Thanks to the direct intervention of the Association this leak was repaired very quickly, thus ensuring healthy conditions for the public visiting our beaches.

 3º - Pest reports

By posting notices in the Web site of the Macro-Community of Bahia de Marbella, we informed all our residentss of 2 pests that were thriving in our area, and this needed urgent action:

a) “Pine Processionary” caterpillar:  This notice was mainly directed to warn Residents to be vigilant of children and pets.

b) Cypress Fungus:  We have made an urgent call to the Management Board of the Macro-Community of Bahia de Marbella,

    requesting them to fumigate all the Cypresses affected by this fungus. We are very pleased with the prompt and positive

    response of the Management Board of the Macro–Community in solving this problem.

4º - Radio and  TV interviews

We are regularly approached by TV Estival of Estepona, as well as by “Onda Cero”, with various radio stations, and “Radio Nacional de España” (Spanish National Radio) as they are interested in reporting periodically the actions of the Association for the protection of the environment of the dunes, and other  matters of public interest.

 Educational work

The Association have issued several  leaflets  in order to increase the awareness of visitors to the dunes. And, during the assistance to beached dolphins, we are happy to provide extensive explanations to all onlookers, making them aware of the fragility of these beings, a particularly educational experience for children, who will then be able to include this knowledge when reporting their experience back to their schoolmates.

It is very comforting to realize that the work of the Association is appreciated, both by the different authorities, as well as by the general public, and that our contribution to preserving the environment also helps to give a better understanding and public awareness of the protection of the environment and its habitats, both of the flora and the fauna.