The increasing human impact at shallow depths may be affecting the Mediterranean endemic coral Astroides calycularis irreversibly. Therefore, management tools need to be developed for use in its conservation. The main aim of this study was to test a reliable attachment methodology for restoring sites where the species has been affected by human activities. We chose an attachment technique using a marine quick-action epoxy resin, completing three treatments (control, transplanted and translocated colonies) in two sites with different hydrodynamic conditions. Control colonies were undisturbed colonies that were not manipulated; translocation colonies were dislodged and reattached in the same place; and transplantation colonies were dislodged and attached in a different area. Translocated colonies showed a higher survival than transplanted ones, and survival was also higher in environments with more hydrodynamism. Regarding growth, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) did not show significant differences among treatments, but significant differences between areas with different hydrodynamic conditions were noted. This study confirms that it is possible to transplant or translocate colonies of this coral with the technique proposed here, which could be used in future management plans for areas impacted by humans.

Human activities have increasingly affected biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea. Data on the distribution and abundance of species allows researchers to assess the possible degradation of wild populations. These data could act as a baseline to assess the magnitude of the effects of human activities on a bioindicator species. The distribution and relative abundance of the south-western populations of the endemic Astroides calycularis in the South Iberian Peninsula were studied to establish a baseline for future studies. The rocky shoreline was studied at a depth range of 0–12 m, including more than 650 km of Spain's Andalusian coastline. The species was present in 135 of the 585 dive points sampled. ANOVA analysis showed differences in depth in the four provinces studied, and there was no interaction between the two factors. As human activities on the Mediterranean coast are reducing the A. calycularis populations, a baseline on marine populations is greatly recommended for monitoring, assessment, and management studies, especially for endangered or bioindicator species. This baseline could be useful as a reference tool to assess the effects of human activities on marine biodiversity, including global change.