Acquisition of a sensor so that Josep Pasqual can continue measuring sea temperature and sea level
Acquisition of a CTD48M probe to ensure the continuity of the longest sea water temperature data record in the Mediterranean, accompanied by dissemination activities.
Date of onset 09/07/2024
Sector Fisheries and tourism
Lead partner GALP Costa Brava
Territory of performance Badia de Pals and les Illes Medes (Baix Empordà)
Climatic risk

Increase in eutrophication episodes
Biodiversity loss
Loss of habitats
Budget 15.000,00 €

 

The sea surface temperature in l’Estartit, one degree warmer than 4 decades ago

Josep Pascual Massaguer has the longest sea water temperature data record in the Mediterranean. Towards 1969 he began taking meteorological measurements and in 1974 ventured out to sea.  In the late 1980s he began to notice changes in the data.  Since then, sea temperatures have been increasingly rising. According to Pascual’s figures, the sea surface temperature has risen to one degree above normal.

Overall, Pascual’s data reveals that the sea temperature in l’Estartit has risen from an annual average of16 o r16.5 °C to the current 17.5 °C. At a depth of 90 metres, the increase has been half a degree. The highest temperatures are reached at the sea surface in summer. Previously, the average summer temperature was around 22 or 23 °C, but in recent years the figures have risen de 24 or 25 °C. In August 2022, the heat record since Pascual began collecting data was beaten: sea water reached 27.5 °C. “The situation is serious”, he claims, and estimates that by the middle of this century, the Catalan coast could reach 30 °C.

15 metres less of beach in 30 years

Since 1993, Pascual also measures beach erosion. In this case, he does so from the top of the Rocamaura hill, a 225-metre-high mountain from which you can see the entire bay of Pals and beyond until Begur capeI. In this regard, observations indicate that half a metre of beach is lost every year, and in just over 30 years the nine kilometres of beaches in this area of the Costa Brava have receded a total of 15 metres.

Action to ensure the continuity of data record

Having this data is essential when creating adaptation actions to climate change. That is why, with the aim of ensuring the continuity of this pioneering reference data series, there are plans to acquire a new probe to measure the conductivity, temperature, pressure and turbidity of the water. This acquisition will be accompanied by a series of communication capsules with the aim of disseminating, raising awareness and transferring this knowledge.