Scientists highlight the impact of rising sea temperatures as HIC Summit Ibiza 2026 brings international experts together to discuss marine conservation and tourism’s role in protecting fragile ecosystems.
Rising temperatures in the Mediterranean are causing serious damage to some gorgonian populations, with losses of up to 80% of biomass recorded in certain red gorgonian communities affected by marine heat. Research by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) has documented the scale of the impact on these important marine organisms, which play a vital role in underwater biodiversity.
The health of these ecosystems was among the key topics discussed at HIC Summit Ibiza 2026, which brought international specialists together at TheHUB Ibiza, in Santa Eulària des Riu, to examine the main challenges facing marine conservation and the tourism sector’s role in protecting the environment.
On the second day of the event, held on 29 October, participants examined the effects of warming seawater, pollution and human activities on particularly vulnerable marine species and habitats.
Gorgonians: Mediterranean underwater forests under threat from rising temperatures
Mediterranean gorgonians form branching structures that resemble small underwater trees. These formations provide shelter and habitats for numerous marine species, meaning their decline also affects the wider biological communities that depend on them.
Marc Rigau, CEO of the Blue Life Foundation, highlighted the vulnerability of these organisms during the panel ‘The Blue Transition of Destinations: Science, Conservation and Marine Restoration’.
Rigau pointed out that, unlike Posidonia seagrass, whose environmental importance is increasingly recognised by the public, gorgonians remain largely unknown despite their essential contribution to Mediterranean biodiversity.
The main threats they face include marine heatwaves, prolonged periods of unusually high temperatures and microplastic pollution.
Research by the University of Barcelona, published in March 2026, also found that prolonged exposure to microplastics can cause changes in the metabolism of Mediterranean gorgonians, even before any visible damage becomes apparent.
In the Balearic Islands, protecting these organisms is particularly important because of their connection to water quality, the underwater landscape and the islands’ appeal as tourist destinations. Experts attending the Ibiza summit stressed that protecting marine ecosystems must take priority over restoring them once they have been damaged, particularly given that natural recovery processes can take many years.
In this context, Rigau outlined the work being carried out by the Blue Life Foundation in Ibiza to conserve and restore gorgonian populations and Posidonia seagrass meadows, with support from the Abel Matutes Foundation.
Dubai hotel project has rehabilitated more than 2,300 sea turtles
Marine wildlife protection also featured prominently at HIC Summit Ibiza 2026, with the presentation of the 2026 HIC Talentum Award to Bárbara Lang-Lenton, Director of Biodiversity at Jumeirah Group.
The award recognises her work on the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, an initiative that has rescued and rehabilitated more than 2,300 sea turtles in Dubai.
The animals cared for include individuals belonging to endangered species, such as the hawksbill turtle. The programme operates specialised facilities and aquatic enclosures where turtles receive the care they need to recover before being released back into their natural habitat.
During her contribution to the summit, Lang-Lenton outlined the main threats facing sea turtles in the Arabian Gulf. These include significant fluctuations in water temperature, pollution and plastic waste.
The project was presented as an example of how the hotel industry can contribute to biodiversity conservation in coastal tourist destinations.
Seychelles and Vigo showcase marine conservation initiatives
The discussion on the future of coastal destinations also featured international examples of efforts to protect natural resources while maintaining tourism activity.
José Manuel Lapeña, Consul General of Seychelles, explained the tourism development model adopted by the archipelago of 115 islands, where protecting the natural landscape and marine resources is a central part of its strategy.
Measures include planning restrictions and initiatives designed to safeguard natural areas, with the aim of balancing tourism development with the preservation of the islands’ environment.
Francisco Barreiro, a technical specialist at the Port Authority of Vigo, presented the work of two underwater observatories that help researchers monitor biodiversity in the port environment while making these ecosystems more accessible to the public.
Francisco López Castejón, a researcher at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and founder of CORI, also took part in the event.
The experiences shared at HIC Summit highlighted the importance of cooperation between public authorities, researchers and tourism businesses in developing initiatives to conserve and restore marine ecosystems.
Ibiza explores the future of tourism through marine protection
Held in Ibiza since 2019, HIC Summit has established itself as a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences on innovation, sustainability, regenerative culture and the blue economy.
The 2026 edition devoted part of its programme to exploring how coastal destinations can make marine protection an integral part of their tourism strategies, through practical conservation projects and closer cooperation between different sectors.
The summit is supported by the Ibiza Island Council (Consell Insular d’Eivissa) and Ibiza Tourism, with contributions from organisations including Santa Eulària Town Council, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Colegio Mestral, BIBO Park, EHIB, the Spanish and Latin American Network for Accessible Tourism, Pimeef and the Ibiza Tourism Promotion Association (Fomento de Turismo de Ibiza).
