Network

LIFE Pinnarca NAT/ES/001265
Protection and restoration of Pinna nobilis population as a response to catastrophic pandemic started in 2016

Period: 01/10/2021 – 31/12/2024
Coordinating Beneficiary – Fundacion Universidad Catolica de Valencia San Vicente Màrtir (IMEDMAR-UCV)
Associated Beneficiaries: CSIC (IEO, IMEDEA); Ecologistas en Acciòn Regiòn de Murcia; IRTA; UA; UAEgean – Research Unit; UNINA – Dipartimento di Biologia

LIFE Pinnarca is a Pinna nobilis conservation project that aims to take action to recover the species along the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
The first phase involves collecting information on the populations still viable in the area of interest and mapping them. In the second phase, the best-preserved populations, which are certainly more resistant to the pathogens that have affected the bivalve, will be protected and some individuals and larvae will be transferred to the areas most affected by the pandemic, so as to encourage the recovery of the species. The reproduction of Pinna nobilis in captivity and its subsequent reintroduction into the wild, as in the case of LIFE Pinna, is not envisaged.

LIFE21-NAT-IT-REEForest/101074309
Restoration of Cystoseira macroalgal FORESTs to enhance biodiversity along Mediterranean rocky REEFs

Period: 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2026
Coordinating Beneficiary: Università degli Studi di Trieste
Associated Beneficiaries: Università degli Studi di Genova – Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope –  ISPRA – HCMR (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research) – Cilento National Park – Bergeggi MPA – Sinis MPA – Shoreline.

The LIFE REEForest project aims to reverse the dramatic decline of Cystoseira forests, a macroalgae seriously threatened by the effects of climate change and direct and indirect human activity (fishing, pollution, etc.). Marine forests, typically formed by brown macroalgae, are one of the most productive and precious habitats in the Mediterranean, ecosystemic structures that are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and the cycle of carbon and other nutrients.
In particular, LIFE REEForest involves Italian and European universities, laboratories, research centers and management entities to implement monitoring, protection and experimental reforestation actions of the Cystoseira habitat in 4 marine protected areas (Sinis Peninsula, Cilento National Park and Bergeggi Island in Italy and Gyaros Island in Greece). Furthermore, REEForest will provide methods and guidelines that can be used to replicate and scale up restoration activities in other areas and with other species, as well as raise awareness of institutions and citizens on the risks of marine forest loss in the Mediterranean.

MPA Engage
(Interreg MED programme, 5216 | 5MED18_3.2_M23_007)
Engaging Mediterranean key actors in Ecosystem Approach to manage Marine Protected Areas to face Climate Change

Period: 11/2019 – 06/2022
Coordinating Beneficiary: CSIC-Institute of Marine Science (Spain)
Associated Beneficiaries: Portofino MPA, Brijuni National Park, Calanques National Park, Marche Polytechnic University, Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, National Marine Park of Zakynthos, Cap de Creus Natural Park,  Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo MPA, Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Regional Administration of Liguria, MIO-ECSDE, Vigo University, Association for Protection of Aquatic Wildlife of Albania APAWA, DAN Europe

The MPA Engage project, generated from the experience gained with the MPA-ADAPT project (also co-financed by the Interreg-MED programme), aims to transform Marine Protected Areas into “laboratories” for studying climate change. In particular, through the development of standard monitoring protocols, the project makes it possible to accurately assess the impacts of climate change in 7 marine protected areas of 6 Mediterranean countries, identifying vulnerabilities and developing mitigation strategies and adaptation plans, both from ecological and socio-economic point of view. Among the objectives of the project, there is also the involvement of ordinary citizens and fishermen and local, regional and international administrators in monitoring activities, as well as the development of an information and awareness campaign through exhibitions, festivals, videos, information sheets, photography contests.