A European project
for Pinna nobilis

The project

On 1st October 2021 LIFE PINNA, the European project set up to save the fan mussel, Pinna nobilis, kicked off.

The largest bivalve mollusc in the Mediterranean Sea, a species that lives only in our seas and plays a precious role in coastal ecosystems, is critically endangered after an epidemic decimated its population in 2016.

News

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Two months after the arrival of Atrina fragilis, survival is 100 per cent

February 24, 2023
It was early December when nine individuals of Atrina fragilis were brought to the CNR…

First public event of the LIFE PINNA project

December 5, 2022
The first presentation event of the LIFE PINNA project on Friday 2 December, which was…

Who finds Pinna nobilis finds a treasure!

December 1, 2022
The "Report the Pinna!" campaign has begun:All sea-loving citizens can help the scientists of the…

The Species

Already present in our seas 20 million years ago, Pinna nobilis, is the biggest bivalve mollusc in the Mediterranean. From the Strait of Gibraltar to the Black Sea, there are no more majestic ones: this precious giant of the invertebrate fauna, in fact can even live up to 45 years and grow in a wonderful shell of over 120 centimetres, generously covered with scale and micro-organisms. 

Lives only in the Mediterranean

It is also known as “sea castanet”…

From collecting to protected species

In the past this species has attracted the attention of shell collectors and collectors of byssus…

The deadly epidemic

Starting from 2016, in fact, there was a sudden mass mortality…

Areas of intervention

Coordinating beneficiary

Associated beneficiaries