The Falanges project, run by Águas do Algarve, is a partnership with Zoomarine and Quercus and aims to implement a breeding programme for three critically endangered fish species!

The project included the collection of specimens to be integrated into reproduction efforts in a controlled environment in order to create assurance populations, so that they can later be returned to their natural habitat for repopulation of the rivers, once it has been rehabilitated and sustainability conditions have been guaranteed.

Among the three species, Zoomarine has the challenging mission of breeding the Southern Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri), as well as some specimens of the Arade-chubs (Squalius aradensis) and Southwest Iberian straight-mouth nase (Iberochondrostoma almacai).

At the Oceanus aquarium, visitors can learn about these species and find out more about this urgent conservation project, which is extremely important for the protection of these native species that are unique to the Algarve region.

Since the arrival of the first specimens at Zoomarine two years ago, around 40 individuals have been born, which is an excellent indicator of the project’s success.

Because TOGETHER WE PROTECT – ‘Together We Protect’