Events and News

Blue Mission Project - Our sea our health

Implemented by ISPRA, in collaboration with APRE, in the context of the SLEs (STE(A)M Learning Ecologies) project, Blue Mission is a Living Lab path, at the I.C. school. Guicciardini of Rome, on the issues of sustainability of human activities in marine-coastal environments. The issues of sustainable aquaculture, marine pollution from plastic waste and the ecological beach model are explored in depth in an interactive and experiential manner and contextualised in a One Health perspective.

One Health represents an integrated approach that recognizes the interdependence between human, animal and environmental health and primarily aims to improve global health, prevent disease and promote collective well-being, contributing to sustainable development.

Webinar on Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD 2008/56/CE) – Update for the second implementation cycle

The sea resource is fundamental for ecosystem balances and for sustainable development, the role of governance tool of the European Marine Strategy Directive defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, Directive 2008/56/EC) fits into this framework. On 12 December, at 10 am, the third and final online meeting will be held whose focus will be dedicated to the presentation of the program of measures of the Marine Strategy, pursuant to art.12 Legislative Decree 190/2010, with the Update for the second implementation cycle , as required by art.7 Legislative Decree 190/2010.

The webinar will focus on the illustration of descriptors 1,2,5 and 10 of the European Directive.

Climate Change and Cetaceans in the Mediterranean: a strong reduction in the conditions suitable for the survival of some species is estimated in 25 years

The warming of the Mediterranean Sea is proceeding at a faster rate than the global average, putting all the species that live there at serious risk. Cetaceans are no exception, present with 11 regular species in the Mediterranean, which can respond to variations in climatic conditions by moving, but also conditioned by the distribution of their prey.

XIII edition of the Italy-China Week of Science, Technology and Innovation

On November 28th ISPRA will participate with a panel dedicated to the AQuaBios Project

The event takes place as part of the bilateral scientific and technological cooperation program between Italy and China. It is promoted by the Governments of the two countries through the Ministry of University and Research of the Italian Republic and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

Second webinar "The implementation of the Marine Strategy Directive"

Non-indigenous species and the role of citizen science

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and Federparchi, in collaboration with ISPRA, are organizing a series of 3 online meetings to disseminate the results of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD Directive 2008/56/EC) and future prospects.
The growing attention for the protection of the Sea, both by community and national institutions, requires moments of verification and in-depth analysis and it is important for protected natural areas to participate and share experiences.

Restoration of the deltaic and marine habitat, combating the proliferation of the blue crab, encouraging its use and consumption

The invasion of the blue crab in the Po Delta has upset the entire venericulture sector in the Upper Adriatic. The predator Callinectes sapidus has upset entire communities of women and men who lived directly or indirectly on clams and who, overnight, found themselves disarmed and unprepared to face an arduous, complicated and difficult challenge. Despite the honorable commitment of all institutions, trade associations, consortia, cooperatives and businesses, today there is a collective awareness that it is necessary to react promptly with dedication, commitment and sacrifices in order to pursue precise operational strategies, well aware of the need to coexist with this crustacean.

LIFE REEForest project: monitoring of grasslands in Cystoseira

At Punta Licosa, within the Santa Maria di Castellabate MPA (Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park), monitoring of the Cystoseira prairies was carried out from 4 to 8 November by ISPRA researchers. The intervention was carried out as part of WP4 of the LIFE REEForest project (Restoration of Cystoseira macroalgal FORESTs to enhance biodiversity along Mediterranean rocky REEFs), co-financed by the EU “LIFE21-NAT-IT REEForest/101074309”, aimed at restoration and habitat recovery in Cystoseira (Habitat 1170).

In particular, within the project, ISPRA carries out activities aimed at mapping the distribution and monitoring of the habitat in Cystoseira, processing high-quality images acquired using remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and other monitoring techniques along the coasts of the Park National team of Cilento Vallo di Diana and Alburni.

FAO-ISPRA international workshop for the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning applied to Aquaculture

From 29 to 31 October 2024, the international workshop "Spatial management for aquaculture planning: Defining needs for assisting countries", jointly organized by FAO and ISPRA, will be held in Rome, at the FAO.

The event will bring together some of the main international experts from various countries around the world, ISPRA researchers (BIO-AMC Area) and FAO specialists, offering a unique opportunity for discussion and comparison for the definition of a Roadmap to facilitate planning processes maritime space applied to aquaculture.

The implementation of the Marine Strategy Directive

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and Federparchi, in collaboration with ISPRA, are organizing a series of 3 online meetings to disseminate the results of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD Directive 2008/56/EC) and future prospects.
The growing attention for the protection of the Sea, both by community and national institutions, requires moments of verification and in-depth analysis and it is important for protected natural areas to participate and share experiences.

The first of three meetings dedicated to the second implementation cycle of Directive 2008/56/EC carried out in the period 2018-2024 will be held on 25 October, 10 am.

The next two events will take place, again remotely, on 21 November on the theme "Non-indigenous species and the role of citizen science" and on 12 December on "Program and measures of the Marine Strategy, update of the second implementation cycle".

Project PROMETHEUS: ISPRA on board!

On 25 and 26 October, the kick off meeting of the Life natura PROMETHEUS project took place in Thessaloniki (Greece). Through a multilateral approach (use of systems to reduce accidental catches in professional fishing, deep involvement of the various stakeholders, valorisation of ecotourism, transition towards alien species as targets for fisheries with food value, etc.), the project proposes multiple objectives aimed at improving the conservation status of some emblematic species of Mediterranean cartilaginous fish. ISPRA, together with other national and international partners, is part of a large consortium, rich in experience and scientific excellence in the field of European research on cartilaginous fish, coordinated by Professor Emanuela Fanelli of the Polytechnic University of Marche.

First extraordinary data from the mapping of coastal habitats as part of the PNRR MER project

The first preliminary data of the PNRR MER "A16 – A18" project for the mapping of Italian coastal habitats have been acquired, available through the WebGIS Virgeo cartographic platform. The project is part of Mission 2 of the PNRR, dedicated to the "Green Revolution and ecological transition", and in particular in Investment 3.5, which aims to restore and protect the seabed and marine habitats.

The main objective is the detailed mapping of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa meadows, marine habitats fundamental for biodiversity. The project uses advanced technologies such as very high resolution satellite images, topographic and bathymetric LiDAR sensors, as well as autonomous vehicles (AUVs), to create a high resolution database useful for the management and protection of marine-coastal ecosystems.

Currently, the preliminary data visible on Virgeo concerns the Liguria region, where a complete dataset of satellite images was acquired from the Maxar constellation, with multispectral resolutions of 1.85 meters for the WorldView-2 satellite and 1.24 meters for the WorldView- 3. These images were processed using advanced algorithms to determine the reflectivity and map the Posidonia oceanica meadows. Furthermore, thanks to the innovative Satellite Derived Bathymetry technique, the bathymetry of the Ligurian coast was obtained

ISPRA participates in the CNR's PER24 oceanographic campaign

In the second half of October ISPRA will participate in the PER24 oceanographic campaign with the Gaia Blu research vessel in the southern Adriatic Sea.
The campaign, aimed at carrying out scientific activities to evaluate the changes induced by human activity on marine ecosystems, is part of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). PER24 is multidisciplinary and involves various CNR institutes, the University of Marche and other scientific institutes. Its aim is to collect data that can improve the understanding of Good Environmental Status (GES) indicators in biotic and abiotic matrices, and of the processes that modify these GES, following the MSFD guidelines. This profound knowledge will help policy-makers, stakeholders and other operators in the public and private sector to develop intervention methods for improving the environmental state of marine ecosystems.

ISPRA partecipates to the ARTEMIS project

ARTEMIS aims to promote the restoration and conservation of seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean, thanks to the development and implementation of innovative protocols and through the use of particular financial instruments to support such interventions, such as PES (Payments for Ecosystem Services).

Through four pilot projects in the EU-MED area, ARTEMIS aims to provide tangible results for the valorization of marine natural heritage, with initiatives ranging from the transplantation of seagrass beds in damaged areas to their protection, conservation and maintenance.

ISPRA will contribute to the project as a "scientific partner", making its skills and experience available to the consortium on the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows, on the evaluation of the ecosystem services provided by these meadows and on the synergies between best practices and governance models which will contribute to achieving the objectives of ARTEMIS.

The Hydrographic Units in support of the PNRR-MER projects

In the field of marine protection of the seabed and the restoration of maritime and coastal ecosystems, the Navy has always been a protagonist and continues to demonstrate great presence and commitment. With the new collaboration agreement signed between the Italian Navy (MMI) - Istituto Idrografico della Marina (IIM) and ISPRA, a massive large-scale bathymetric mapping intervention is now underway along the entire Italian coasts. There are many objectives pursued within the project.
Among the most ambitious are the mapping and monitoring of coastal habitats, the updating of the national tide gauge network and the creation of a national network of offshore buoys for the observation of wave motion and marine currents, the restoration of Posidonia meadows oceanica and the use of innovative topographic and bathymetric mapping systems capable of reducing acquisition times and therefore creating new study and work opportunities.

Planet Earth Festival

Natural communities

For the third year Lucca is the theater of the Planet Earth Festival, directed by Stefano Mancuso, conceived, designed and organized by Editori Laterza.
With over 90 meetings and more than 100 guests - scientists, anthropologists, philosophers, economists, writers, artists and innovators - the event takes place from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October 2024, in some of the most evocative places in the city.
For the second year ISPRA has granted its patronage and participates in the event with 2 interactive lessons held by our researchers.

Conference "A change in the water: the fate of seas and oceans under climate and pollution"

ISPRA is participating at the conference "A change in the water: the fate of seas and oceans under climate and pollution" that will be held in Paris. In this occasion ISPRA will present the project PNRR MER and two exhibitions “20,000 nets under the sea” and “Carrie, a brave turtle in a changing world” will be set up. The topics addressed are the impact of plastics and microplastics on the marine environment.

Pollution, an integrated sea-coast response

Level 2 emergency management meetings
As part of an agreement between MASE and ISPRA, a project was launched on operational synergies deriving from the "MiTE anti-pollution plan" and national and local planning, which address the response methods, at sea and on the coast, in the event of pollution accidental events caused by spills of petroleum products and dangerous and noxious chemical substances (HNS).

The European Night of Researchers returns on 27 and 28 September: the edition 2024 of NET - scieNcE Together

The edition 2024 of the European Night of Researchers is dedicated to Maria Skłodowska Curie, a pioneer in the field of radioactivity.

A journey into science that celebrates the first person in history to win two Nobel Prizes through workshops, events and shows organized in Italy and abroad by twelve national research bodies and universities with the NET - scieNcE Together project.
The researchers from the main public research bodies and universities in our country that make up the NET network will conduct workshops, in-person and virtual tours, games and experiments, interactive conferences to bring adults and children closer to science. During the appointments, in fact, participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with male and female scientists, participate in interactive experiments and attend live scientific demonstrations, making science a fun and engaging experience for everyone, from children to adults.

Further information; https://www.scienzainsieme.it/

Press release NET – scieNcE Together

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New Study Investigates Spatial Risk Exposure of Floating Marine Litter to Cetaceans and Sea Turtles

Marine debris has become a constant threat to marine species, with ingestion or entanglement being among the main threath for cetaceans and sea turtles. Understanding promptly where and when this threat is most severe is essential for identifying priorities and focusing conservation and mitigation efforts.

ISPRA participates in the NaturArte Festival

NaturArte is a green festival on wellbeing and sustainability, organized by the Sintonia and Initinere association with the patronage of the Lazio Region and the municipality of Trevignano Romano. On 21 and 22 September, workshops, laboratories, conferences, sports and initiatives will be held aimed at spreading natural well-being and a healthy and eco-sustainable lifestyle.

Launch Event: AQuaBioS - The sea farm: for organic and sustainable aquaculture

The launch event of AQuaBioS, the sea farm: for organic and sustainable aquaculture (INTERREG ITALIA – FRANCE MARITTIMO 2021 – 2027) will be held on Thursday 12 September from 10:00 am at the ISPRA headquarters in Livorno.

The AQuaBioS project promotes the development of sustainable aquaculture through the creation of a network between research centers and companies in the sector, based on the use of the natural food chain for the feeding, growth and reproduction of marine organisms of business interest, naturalistic and scientific.

Summer school of Geomorphology, Ecology and Biology in marine and insular environments

ISPRA, in collaboration with the Department of Engineering and Geology of the “G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara and the Department of Earth Sciences of Sapienza, University of Rome, organize the V Summer School of Geomorphology, Ecology and Biology in marine and insular environments - Asinara Island, 9-14 September 2024 with the patronage of the Italian Geological Society and its Marine Geology Section, of the Italian Association of Geomorphology (AIGEO), of the Asinara National Park, of the “Isola dell'Asinara” Marine Protected Area and of the Municipality of Porto Torre

Field activities have started to update the analyzes of marine sediments in the Augusta Bay

Field activities began on Monday 2 September aimed at updating the concentrations of contaminants beyond which it will be necessary to provide interventions for the recovery of marine sediments in the Augusta Bay.
ARPA Sicilia, with the coordination of ISPRA, is proceeding with the sampling of marine sediments from the seabed of the important site of Sicilian national interest.
The operations are carried out within the framework of the Agreement between the Sicilian Region, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and ISPRA which sees - in addition to the participation of the staff of the "Oceanography and Nautical Vessels" Organizational Unit of ARPA Sicily - the operational and CNR - Institute for the study of anthropogenic impacts and sustainability in the marine environment (IAS-CNR) and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS).
The detailed operational plan in fact involves the determination of the various parameters of interest present in the sediments, but also the study of the transfer of contaminants in marine organisms through specific scientific fishing campaigns and the monitoring of filter-feeding organisms such as bivalve molluscs (mussel watch).

PNRR WED – Complete mapping of the italian coast and coastal habitats launch of the WebGis platform – Cloud

The PNRR MER project is an ambitious initiative that aims to map the entire Italian coast in detail, both the emerged and submerged parts. The project's coverage area extends up to 800 meters landward and up to 50 meters depth at sea, including the boundaries of marine protected areas and Natura 2000 sites.

A crucial element of the project is the development of a WebGIS – Cloud platform, currently in beta version, which allows access to the collected data and real-time monitoring of mapping activities.

Marine alien species - CapSenHAR project

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is constantly evolving, colonized by expanding species that arrive through natural corridors, such as the Strait of Gibraltar, and by non-indigenous or alien species that are introduced through anthropogenic activities such as maritime traffic, aquaculture and the aquarium hobby or which arrive through artificial corridors such as the Suez Canal. The success of new species may be favored by climate change and/or altered environmental conditions. Some of these may become invasive and pose a threat to the environment, cause damage to the economy or represent a danger to human health.

PNRR MER - Integral mapping of the Italian coast and coastal habitats. Intervention A16-A18 and coastline

The PNRR MER project aims to fully map the Italian coast, both the emerged and submerged parts. The area covered includes the coast up to 800 meters towards land and up to 50 meters deep at sea, extending to the borders of marine protected areas and Natura 2000 sites.

The mapping of coastal habitats is carried out via aerial flights equipped with Topographic LiDAR sensors, which create a 3D "digital atlas" of the Italian coast. This survey, which covers 7,500 km of coastline, will provide useful data for the analysis and protection of species and habitats.

The detection takes place with a specific Topographic LiDAR sensor mounted on an aircraft, flying at an average altitude of 2,800 meters. The images collected will be used to model the coast and support habitat protection and coastal defense strategies. The campaign is already underway in several regions of Liguria, Toscana, Lazio and Campania and the data will be available starting from autumn 2024.

The project aims to strengthen the monitoring of Italian marine and coastal ecosystems, providing detailed information on the morphology of the coast and supporting decisions for the protection of coastal infrastructure.

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LIFE Conceptu Maris - LIFE project of the month on the MASE website

IFE Conceptu Maris: CONservation of CEtaceans and Pelagic sea TUrtles in Med: Managing Actions for their Recovery In Sustainability”

With their movements in the open sea in the Mediterranean, cetaceans and sea turtles find themselves dealing with a growing number of threats, including plastic pollution, maritime traffic and commercial fishing.

Marine alien species - CapSenHAR project

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is constantly evolving, colonized by expanding species that arrive through natural corridors, such as the Strait of Gibraltar, and by non-indigenous or alien species that are introduced through anthropogenic activities such as maritime traffic, aquaculture and the aquarium hobby or which arrive through artificial corridors such as the Suez Canal. The success of new species may be favored by climate change and/or altered environmental conditions. Some of these may become invasive and pose a threat to the environment, cause damage to the economy or represent a danger to human health.

More than 400 nests of Caretta Caretta marine turtle in Italy

To date more than 400 nests of Caretta Caretta marine turtles have been observed in Italy, mainly in Sicily, Calabria, Campania and Apulia Region. The activities of beach patrolling looking for traces and turtle nests are going on by hundreds of volunteers. Once identified, the nests are made safe to be protected against damages. These activities require significant time and efforts but are well rewarded by the great emotion aroused with the hatching of eggs. Life TURTLENEST Project of which ISPRA is a partner has signed more than 100 Memoranda of Understanding with administrations and protected areas interested in the adoption of indications provided by Legambiente, project coordinator, for a responsible management of beaches as potential nesting areas.

Beached Posidonia, sustainable methods for active management

The national workshop on the topic of management of beached Posidonia oceanica entitled will be held on Wednesday 24 July 2024 at the headquarters of the Cilento Vallo Diano and Alburni National Park in Castellabate. “Beached Posidonia, sustainable methods for active management”. Participating in the event are the beneficiaries of the LIFE SeaForest project "Posidonia meadows as carbon sinks of the Mediterranean", but also public institutions, scientific research and the business world, which in various capacities have developed experiences on this topic.