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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CSI Sardinia

April 17, 2025
The University of Sassari uses forensic techniques to analyse the DNA of Pinna nobilis shells…

The new collectors work

March 29, 2025
Designed by NIB, the Slovenian National Institute of Biology, they allowed the collection of 18…

Finding resistant fins

February 5, 2025
Thanks to hundreds of molecular analyses on the tissues of Pinna nobilis specimens intended for…

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

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