MUSIC FOR THE SEA is an Non-Profit Organization based in Ibiza, aiming to connect the international music community with artist collectives, scientific experts and forward-thinking creatives to address the urgent need for marine conservation in the face of climate change.
Background
MusicForTheSea.org is committed to utilizing the broad influence of the music industry to foster environmental awareness and catalyze action within marine environments. Founded by Coco Francavilla, a composer, sound engineer, and acoustic physics architect with over 25 years of experience, working alongside prominent figures within the music industry, this non-profit organization leverages her deep-rooted connections within the music community,
Inspired by a passion for environmental stewardship, Francavilla established the organization in Ibiza, recognized not only as a global epicenter for electronic music and nightlife but also as UNESCO World Heritage site, for the critical Posidonia oceanica meadows—a vital ecosystem of the Mediterranean Sea. These meadows are not only pivotal for the ecological health of the Mediterranean but also serve as a symbol of the natural beauty and biodiversity that MusicForTheSea.org is committed to preserving.
Mission
MusicForTheSea.org leverages the influential reach of the music industry to drive positive environmental change. Recognizing the significant impact of Ibiza’s vibrant club scene on the local marine ecosystem, the organization aims to transform this influence into a force for good. By collaborating with artists, producers, and festival organizers in connection with scientific experts it extends its reach, promoting marine conservation efforts globally.
MusicForTheSea.org is strategically positioned within the local and international music scenes to harness Ibiza’s role as a pivotal hub for electronic music. The organization's initiatives focus on reducing the negative impacts of excessive tourism and the ecological footprint of club culture on marine environments. Collaborating with marine biologists from Ibiza and Formentera, it supports the replantation of Posidonia. This collaboration involves composers, musicians, and artists, who use acoustic techniques to monitor these efforts and assess their impacts on marine life. The data collected is creatively integrated into sound compositions and multi-discpliary art media, enhancing the engagement of the music community in marine conservation and helping to restore these vital ecosystems.
MusicForTheSea initiative, The Posidonia Project. Born with the idea of connecting the music scene with the scientific expert community, The Posidonia Project aims to leverage the power of sound and music for marine conservation.
Our goal is to create awareness and raise funds for the protection of the Posidonia meadows between Ibiza and Formentera, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These meadows are crucial ecosystems, serving as marine nurseries, carbon sinks, and stabilizers of coastal sediment. Additionally, they play a vital role in maintaining water quality and providing habitat and food for numerous marine species.
Our proposal is to integrate The Posidonia Project as one of the projects within OD-MAE.
We collaborate with marine biologists in the Ibiza-Formentera area, home to the largest colonies of Posidonia Meadows.
Our approach involves inviting influential sound artists to conduct field recordings and seascape recordings, capturing the unique acoustic properties of Posidonia meadows and the surrounding marine environment. Additionally, we aim to integrate innovative sonic scape techniques with digital art, creating immersive experiences that enhance public engagement and understanding of marine conservation issues.
Incorporating bioacoustic surveying techniques, we aim to develop methodologies encompassing sound recording, establishment of listening station infrastructure, data exploration and analysis, citizen science and sound art installation initiatives. Additionally, our objective is to integrate soundscape analysis directly into marine conservation protocols.
We believe that by joining forces with OD-MAE, we can contribute valuable insights into the acoustic environment of the Mediterranean and support the conservation efforts of Posidonia meadows.
Our aspiration is not only to enhance the scientific understanding of underwater soundscapes but also to promote diverse approaches to marine conservation and create awareness among the local community and the music industry. The latter is particularly pertinent in Ibiza, given its pervasive club culture, which poses various challenges to our local marine heritage. these vital ecosystems.
PRESENTATION FOR THE OCEAN DECADE RESEARCH PROGRAMME ON THE MARITIME ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT
THE POSIDONIA PROJECT
Posidonia Oceanica:
A Pillar of Mediterranean Ecology
Posidonia oceanica, commonly known as Neptune grass, is an essential underwater plant crucial for maintaining the Mediterranean's ecological balance. These meadows, recognized as one of the most efficient natural ecosystems, play a vital role in carbon dioxide balance and coastal protection, capturing more CO2 per square meter than the Amazon rainforest.
The Posidonia meadows in the Balearic islands of Ibiza and Formentera were declared in 1999 as World Heritage by UNESCO, considered one of the largest and the longest living being on the planet, about 15km long and up to 100.000 years old.
Despite their importance, these meadows are under severe threat from human activities, making our conservation efforts more critical than ever.
PROPOSAL
The Posidonia Project:
Bridging Music and Marine Conservation
We seek to collaborate with OD-MAE to synergize our efforts in marine conservation through the power of sound and music
Our MusicForTheSea.org initiative The Posidonia Project unites influential sound artists, multi-displinary creatives and marine biologists with the mission to protect the Posidonia Oceanica meadows in Ibiza and Formentera —a vital underwater ecosystem in the Mediterranean, crucial for their role as carbon sinks and their biodiversity benefits.
Through audio-visual projects and immersive experiences, we aim to transform scientific data into compelling narratives that resonate with both local and international audiences.
This project not only supports marine biodiversity but also educates and involves the music industry in conservation efforts, leveraging their wide-reaching influence to effect change.
Bioacoustic Monitoring Initiatives
FIELD RECORDINGS AND ARTIST ENGAGEMENT
We engage artists in field recordings in capturing the sounds of the sea and during Posidonia replantation expeditions, allowing them to experience and then creatively interpret these sounds. This firsthand involvement helps artists produce music that reflects the acoustic environment of these meadows, fostering a deeper connection with the cause.
PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING (PAM
We plan to install PAM devices, such as the OceanInstruments Soundtrap, to monitor changes in the acoustic profiles of replanted areas over time. This data will help us assess the ecological impact of replantation and understand the effects of human activities like tourism on these habitats.
Engaging the Music Industry:
Community Outreach
MusicForTheSea.org The Posidonia Project is poised to unleash the power of music and leverage Ibiza's vibrant nightlife to promote marine conservation. By involving artists and industry stakeholders, it aims to use their extensive reach to influence millions globally, advocating for the protection of our oceans through powerful messaging and collaborative projects.
Through workshops, album releases, radio show and music events, we aim to educate and involve the music industry and local communities in our conservation efforts, enhancing their understanding and commitment to protecting the marine environment
Alignment with Ocean Decade Challenges
The Posidonia Prjoect aims to be aligned with the objectives of the UN Ocean Decade, addressing several key challenges through a multidisciplinary approach that merges scientific research, community involvement, and industry engagement.
Our efforts are particularly relevant to the following challenges:
CHALLENGE 2 : PROTECT AND RESTORE ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY
Our work directly contributes to the restoration and protection of marine ecosystems, particularly through the conservation of Posidonia oceanica meadows. These efforts are vital for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in the Mediterranean.CHALLENGE 5 : UNLOCK OCEAN-BASED SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE
By focusing on the restoration of Posidonia meadows, known for their effective carbon sequestration capabilities, our project offers practical, nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.CHALLENGE 10 : CHANGE HUMANITY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OCEAN
Through engaging the global music community, we aim to reshape perceptions and behaviors regarding ocean conservation. By integrating artistic expression with conservation science, we foster a deeper connection and sense of responsibility towards the ocean among a broad audience.
Each challenge is addressed through our approach, which not only enhances scientific understanding and conservation of marine ecosystems but also leverages the cultural influence of the music industry to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility.
This holistic strategy ensures that our efforts contribute significantly to global marine conservation goals, supporting a sustainable relationship between humanity and the ocean.
OCEAN DECADE PROGRAM
application
At MusicForTheSea.org, we are dedicated to integrating scientific research with artistic creativity to forge innovative pathways for marine conservation. Our initiatives, like The Posidonia Project, represent a approach that combines ecological sustainability with cultural engagement. We are hopeful about the possibilities this blend of science and art presents for advancing the goals of the Ocean Decade.
Recognizing the synergy between our mission and the objectives of the Ocean Decade, we are keen to propose our project for the Ocean Decade Program MAE
We believe that by joining forces, we can enhance our collective impact and further the cause of marine conservation. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss how we can align our efforts and together work towards a sustainable and harmonious relationship with our oceans.
Music by Coco Francavilla, composed using samples from maritime environments,
Video by Eduardo Navarro, inspired by the mesmerizing world of marine plankton
Posidonia meadows are the lungs of the Mediterrenean
