On May 14, an important international webinar organized by LIFE PINNA, “Restocking of Pinna nobilis in the MED Region”, took place online. The event marked the last stage of the Mediterranean-scale networking that brings together the top experts involved in the conservation of 𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑛𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑠, from Libya to Turkey. After the greetings of Daniela Caracciolo, project manager of Arpal – leader of LIFE Pinna – and a video presentation of the project, the speeches got to the heart of the matter. Jose Rafael Garcia-March (Universitat de València – UV) spoke about the situation of the last “sanctuaries” of 𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑛𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑠 in Spain, France and Italy and the premises of the new European project LIFE PINNACARE, while Stelios Katsanevakis (University of the Aegean) brought a detailed focus on the situation in Greece.
Saul Ciriaco (Shoreline) and Mariachiara Chiantore (University of Genoa) presented the latest results of LIFE PINNA, respectively on the relocation and transplantation of Pinna nobilis individuals and on recent advancements in controlled reproduction of the mollusc. Milena Mičić and Ludovica Rodriguez (Pula Aquarium) explained the role of aquariums in the conservation of endangered species and their participation in the LIFE PINNARCA project. In the session dedicated to genetics and pathogens, Daria Sanna (University of Sassari) discussed the genetic variability of Pinna nobilis populations before die-off and recovery potential of survivors, while Francesca Carella (Federico II University of Naples) presented her work “Trans-mediterranean distribution and immunopathogenesis of hemocytes related infection due to the Picornavirus affecting the noble penshell 𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑛𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑠”. Finally, from Tunisia, Atef Ouerghi (SPA/RAC, the United Nations Institute for Marine Biodiversity in the Mediterranean) drew the conclusions of the webinar by illustrating the Restoration Plan of the Pinna nobilis on a Mediterranean scale.
