Gofree

The Gofree Project "Introduction of the striped humpback shrimp (Plesionika edwardsii) fishing in Sardinia" aims to introduce and incentivize the fishing of bathyal shrimp, also called hunchbacks (species belonging to the genus Plesionika, in particular P. edwardsii (Brandt, 1851)) in the Sardinian seas, introducing innovative measures both in the fishing process, in order to favor fishing also at bathymetry not yet exploited.

The introduction of deep-sea fishing pots in Sardinia would lead to a diversification of fishing activities by encouraging the development of this technique, using a highly selective tool capable of supplying only adult catches and minimizing accidental catches. Furthermore, this equipment would be renewed, through the development and construction of fishing pots with biodegradable and compostable materials with a lower environmental impact.

Gofree's primary objective is therefore to maintain the ecological balance of the marine environment by ensuring its conservation, through a sustainable approach applied to fishing.

Further activities foreseen by the project are focused on carrying out an in-depth characterization of the main nutritional components of the striped hunchback present in the Mediterranean area. These new experimental evidences will allow to deepen the nutritional contribution that this species of shrimp (P. edwardsii) is able to provide in the human nutrition as well as being able to calibrate the best conservation methods. 

Funding: € 369.873,00. Duration: 18 months. 

The GoFree project is financed by the European Fund for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EMFF) 2014/2020 following the Call of the Sardinia Region for the implementation of Measure 1.26 "Innovation" - art 26 of Reg. (EU) n. 508/2014 –- Year 2017: Develop or introduce new or substantially improved products and equipment, new or improved processes and techniques, new or improved management and organizational systems, including at the level of transformation and marketing.

The European Fund for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EMFF) 2014/2020 also finances the Mo.Ri.net project, with ISPRA as leader, following the call of the Sardinia Region for the implementation of Measure 1.40, art. 40, paragraph 1, lett. a) of Reg. (EU) no. 508 / 2014- Year 2018: Protection and restoration of biodiversity and marine ecosystems and compensation schemes in the context of sustainable fishing activities - Collection by fishermen of waste from the sea (lost fishing gear and marine litter).

ISPRA, in the coordination of both projects, aims to pursue, in a synergistic and transversal overture, the environmental compatibility objectives of traditional fishing activities, through a sustainable approach, placing the marine environment and fishermen as main actors.