Report on the Environmental Impact of Marine Snail Collection and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Assessing a Threat to Coastal Ecosystems

The widespread practice of collecting marine snails from seashores represents a significant, yet frequently overlooked, environmental pressure. Research indicates an annual removal of approximately 10,000 tons of marine snails by tourists. This activity directly undermines the objectives of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), by degrading coastal and marine ecosystems. The impact is especially acute in regions of mass tourism, such as the Mediterranean, where coastal habitats have undergone substantial transformation.

Analysis of Anthropogenic Pressures on Coastal Integrity

Human Activity as the Primary Driver of Ecological Decline

While natural coastal dynamics have remained relatively stable, a 2.7-fold increase in beach visitors has introduced significant ecological stress. The decline in marine snail populations is not attributed to natural ecological shifts but is a direct consequence of unsustainable human activities. These activities conflict with the principles of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Key contributing factors include:

• Rapid and unregulated coastal urbanization.
• Increased recreational boat traffic in coastal waters.
• The use of heavy machinery for beach cleaning, which results in the destruction of shells.
• Direct collection of snails by tourists as souvenirs.

Ecological Role of Marine Snails and Alignment with SDGs 14 & 15

Contribution to Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity

Marine snails are integral components of coastal ecosystems, providing critical services that support biodiversity and environmental stability. Their removal disrupts the physical, chemical, and biological balance of beaches, hindering progress toward SDG 14 and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The essential functions of marine snails include:

1. Physical Stabilization: Snail shells contribute to the structural integrity of sand, mitigating coastal erosion.
2. Chemical Regulation: The dissolution of calcium carbonate from shells helps regulate water pH, a vital factor for marine life.
3. Nutrient Cycling: They facilitate the recycling of essential minerals like calcium, which are crucial for marine organisms.
4. Habitat Provision: Shells provide shelter and habitat for a diverse range of species, including algae, seagrasses, hermit crabs, and various invertebrates.
5. Support for Coastal Fauna: Shorebirds utilize shells for nest construction and beak maintenance, linking marine health to terrestrial biodiversity as outlined in SDG 15.

Strategic Recommendations for Promoting Coastal Sustainability

Leveraging Environmental Education to Achieve SDG 4 and SDG 12

Addressing the silent damage caused by unsustainable tourism requires a strategic focus on awareness and education. This approach directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), specifically Target 4.7, which calls for education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. The primary tool for mitigation is environmental education aimed at tourists and local communities. Key objectives include:

• Informing the public about the critical ecological value of marine snails.
• Discouraging the collection of shells as souvenirs, promoting responsible consumption patterns (SDG 12).
• Promoting environmentally conscious tourism practices.
• Integrating environmental information into official signage, tourism campaigns, and local guides.

Conclusion: Conscious Tourism as a Pathway to Sustainable Development

The preservation of marine snails is a tangible action that contributes to broader conservation goals. Leaving shells in their natural habitat is a simple yet powerful gesture that supports the protection of biodiversity, the maintenance of marine cycles, and the ecological balance of coastal zones. This form of conscious tourism is essential for making meaningful progress on SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), ensuring that coastal ecosystems are preserved for future generations.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is the most relevant goal, as the article focuses on the negative impacts of human activities (tourism) on coastal and marine ecosystems. The removal of marine snails directly affects the biodiversity, health, and resilience of these environments.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The article discusses the role of snails in stabilizing sand, preventing beach erosion, and providing habitat for coastal birds. This connects the issue to the protection of coastal terrestrial ecosystems and the biodiversity they support.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The problem is framed as a consequence of “mass tourism” and the unsustainable practice of collecting snails as souvenirs. The article calls for “conscious tourism” and reducing our “footprint,” which aligns with promoting sustainable consumption patterns.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The primary solution proposed in the article is “environmental education” to raise awareness among tourists about the ecological importance of snails and to promote environmentally friendly practices.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration.” The article directly addresses this by highlighting how snail removal damages the “physical, chemical, and biological balance of beaches,” thus undermining the protection of coastal ecosystems.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity…” The article explains that removing snails leads to the degradation of the beach habitat and affects biodiversity by removing shelter for species like “algae, seagrasses, hermit crabs, coastal birds, and small invertebrates.”

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.8: “By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.” The article’s call for “raising awareness among vacationers” and using environmental education to “discourag[e] their collection as tourist souvenirs” directly supports this target.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The article identifies “environmental education” as the “most powerful tool” to solve the problem by informing tourists and promoting sustainable practices, which is the core of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Amount of snails removed annually: The article explicitly states that “around 10,000 tons of marine snails are removed from beaches each year.” A reduction in this tonnage would be a direct indicator of progress in protecting the coastal ecosystem.
• Number of beach visitors: The article links the problem to tourism pressure, noting that the number of visitors “has multiplied by 2.7.” While not a direct measure of impact, it serves as an indicator of the pressure on coastal resources.
• Ecological indicators of snail populations: The article mentions that studies have looked at “species diversity, sizes, and predator perforations” of snails. Monitoring these biological indicators can measure the health and stability of the snail population and, by extension, the ecosystem.
• Changes in tourist behavior: An implied indicator is the reduction in the “direct collection by tourists.” This could be measured through surveys or observational studies to assess the effectiveness of awareness campaigns.
• Implementation of educational materials: The article suggests incorporating environmental content into “signage, campaigns, and local guides.” The number and reach of such educational initiatives can serve as an indicator of efforts to promote sustainable tourism.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: noticiasambientales.com