GONHS has said that it is satisfied with the effort made to relocate over 70 Mediterranean Ribbed Limpets (Patella ferruginea). The society says that the the way in which the move was conducted “employed the safest solution” with which to translocate this “very rare and endangered species.”

A statement from GONHS said: “The Mediterranean Ribbed Limpet is possibly the most threatened marine species in the Mediterranean, with the Rock holding the healthiest and most viable population in Europe. Gibraltar clearly has a responsibility to conserve this species, which is protected under Schedule 3 of the Nature Protection Act and Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive.  Failure to do so could result in infraction proceedings by the EU.

 “A similar translocation programme took place in 2010 and it was from this that rates of survivorship were ascertained.  The fact that authorities from other jurisdictions look to Gibraltar for information on the ecology and conservation of the species speaks volumes of the importance of Gibraltar and its experts for this Limpet.

“GONHS further urges the Government to maximise the creation of new habitat for this and other marine life, and to use limestone rocks and blocks of a type that is favoured by the Ribbed Mediterranean Limpet in all new developments that border the intertidal zone.”