The first sampling campaigns of the BigPark project were performed in Fall 2020 at the two National parks concerned.

From September 28th to October 4th we were working in Cabrera Archipelago. Six team members attended: Teresa, Kike, Candela, Emma, Adrià and Xavier. We loaded two vans with everything we needed, from two zodiacs, compressor and SCUBA gear to food and wine galore.

After a Ferry trip plus boat transport from mainland Mallorca to Cabrera, the 22nd we were already up and running. We did a total of 20 dives to collect all the samples and perform all ecological monitoring. For two days we were stuck home due to bad weather. This was a welcome rest, with time to update field logs, attend the mail, and relax in the small cafeteria at the Port of Cabrera.

The trip was a success, the working atmosphere friendly, and each did his/her best at cooking. We thank earnestly the staff at the National Park (Cuca, David, and others) for their help and for allowing us to use the “scientists” small residence in their premises. Thanks are also due to David Díaz for lending us his zodiac when one of ours had a breakdown, and to Joana and Nadal for securing the transport back and forth from Mallorca and for a memorable dinner at their home.

 
Th BigPark team in Cabrera (Adrià, Xavier, Kike, Teresa and Emma)


From October 19th to 23rd we visited the Atlantic Islands National Park. This time only Adrià and Xavier did the trip by land all the way from Blanes to Vigo, where we were based in Hotel Rias Baixas.

From Vigo we went everyday to Cies Islands with the boat of the diving club “Buceo Islas Cies” and its highly efficient and friendly owner and skipper Iñaki. The weather was not perfect, as usual in the Atlantic, but we managed to collect all samples foreseen and bring them back to Blanes.

It was a pleasure to meet with the Park staff, Pepín, Vicente, Montserrat… as helpful and hospitable as ever.


  
Iñaki and Adrià, and Xavier in the sampling campaign in las Islas Cíes.