Sant Jaume d’Enveja: video surveillance to combat the “Apple Snail” in the Ebro Delta

In coordination with the Generalitat de Catalunya and the municipal actors involved, Alphanet implements a preventive, non-aggressive and complementary approach to those already applied, to combat the negative effects that the expansion of the “Apple Snail” is causing in the territory of the Ebro Delta.

Scenario

Sant Jaume d’Enveja is a municipality located in the Montsià region, on the right bank of the Ebro River. Like most of the municipalities in the area, its economy depends mainly on the river, with a large activity in the agricultural sector, and the tertiary sector, the result of the attractiveness of the Ebro Delta Natural Park.

Key points of the approach

• Prevent the invasive species from crossing in the left hemidelta.
• Monitor vehicles that unintentionally “transport” the animal.
• Find a preventive and non-aggressive solution.
• Raise awareness among violators of control regulations.

Problem

The spread of the invasive species “Tornillo Manzana” (Pomacea canaliculata) is causing problems in the environment of the Ebro Delta, which is a protected natural area (Natural Park), and also an area of high economic interest (rice fields).

The species spreads uncontrolled through the territory, partly due to the traffic of vehicles – mostly agricultural – and the transfer of plants. The screw attaches itself and lays its eggs on these vehicles and/or on the plants they transport, thus colonizing new areas.

In response, the authorities have established a series of protocols for cleaning and control of the vehicles to minimize the spread of the disease.

In addition, experts have established a number of complementary solutions to combat this situation. The first is based on drying the soil, since the apple snail is a river variety and needs a humid environment to reproduce and live. This solution has a major drawback; it has a very negative effect on crops.

The second solution is to raise the salt level of the river water. This measure is also aggressive for the rest of the Delta’s flora and fauna.

There are other measures such as the application of saponin on the soil twice every season -at planting and then at harvest-, the use of quicklime, inspections, prohibitions, etc.

Solution

In view of these measures, the actors involved in the resolution of the problem, together with Alphanet, have defined a complementary preventive solution based on a video surveillance system to verify the correct monitoring of compliance with established regulations and protocols.

The solution consists of a CCTV system consisting of two cameras located at a traffic circle in the municipality of San Jaime, next to the Lo Passador Bridge, which crosses the Ebro and connects with the municipality of Deltebre. This bridge is an area of obligatory passage for vehicles and is a strategic point for monitoring vehicle cleaning protocols.

The location of the chambers is very important, since the problem can be aggravated if the animal crosses from the left hemidelta (most affected area), and colonizes the other one.

Objectives

The measure aims to raise awareness among the owners of vehicles and agricultural machinery in the area so that they become involved in the solution and collaborate by complying with the regulations, limiting the spread of the invasive species and concentrating the eradication work in a more specific and known area.

Key points of the approach

• Communication and coordination of the actors involved.
• Dissemination of the solution to the public to raise awareness.
• Follow-up of the evolution of the solution.