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

Filter

Life among the rocks 2025: the winning shots!

September 29, 2025
The podium of the fourth and final edition of the “Life among the rocks” competition.

Treasure hunt in Bogliasco

July 14, 2025
On 12 July, the Posidonia Green Festival took place in Bogliasco, featuring citizen science activities…

Life Pinna in Tuscany

May 26, 2025
Networking opportunities continue for LIFE Pinna: on 24 May, Triton organised an event on environmental…

The Species

Already present in our seas 2,5 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

Subscribe to the newsletter

Join our community to get the latest articles, guides and exclusive resources straight to your inbox. Don't miss the opportunity to always be informed about the world of Pinna Nobilis!

Scegli la lingua della newsletter
Italiano
English