FLT Mediterranean Monitoring Network - marine species and threats
The ‘Fixed Line Transect Mediterranean monitoring Network’ (FLT Med Net) is an international project coordinated by ISPRA since 2007. The project aims to coordinate in the Mediterranean marine region a continuous monitoring of mega and macro marine fauna (cetaceans, sea turtles, seabirds, and other macro marine fauna), maritime traffic and floating marine litter. The surveys are carried out systematically along 16 cross-border transects, using scheduled ferries as observation platforms. Two specific research protocols are applied for data collection on mega and macro fauna and maritime traffic, and on floating marine litter. Since 2018 a specific protocol for ferry based environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling was developed with the University of Milan Bicocca (project MeD for Med).
The surveys are continuously undertaken with a frequency of at least five surveys per season and, along most of the routes, during the all year round. The monitored transects across several Mediterranean offshore marine region and countries (i.e. Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Tunisia, Morocco). Seven ferry companies actively collaborate to the project, hosting researchers on board and allowing the data collection from the command deck of the ships.
Since 2007 the network surveyed more than 1.000.000 km in effort recording thousands of cetacean sightings. The most sighted species were fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), followed by bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), long finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), and Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) with some occasional sightings of rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) and killer whale (Orcinus orca). Difference in distribution and seasonal variations were recorded throughout the years in the whole studied areas of the Mediterranean basin. More than a thousand of sightings of marine turtles (mostly Caretta caretta) were recorded by the network, allowing seasonal comparison in the distribution and habitat use of the species.
The network regularly produces scientific papers on peer reviewed international journals, and tutors several university thesis (Bachelor, Masters and PhD). Among the recent published articles, many investigated species presence and distribution for conservation purposes, habitat use, long-term trends, correlation with environmental features and influence of the main threats of maritime traffic and marine litter.
Scientific partners collaborating in the project: ISPRA, Stazione Zoologica di Napoli, University of Pisa DIBIOL, CIMA Research Foundation, University of Torino, University of Palermo DiSTeM, University of Milano Bicocca, University of Barcelona, University of Tuscia, University of Catania, GAIA Research Institute, EcoOcean Institut, Accademia del Leviatano, Nereide, MareCamp.
Ferry companies contributing to the project: Corsica-Sardinia Ferry; Grimaldi Lines; Tirrenia CIN; Minoan; CTN; Baleária; Siremar
Date: 1 June 2007 – currently active
Technical annex I - Monitoring Protocol
Technical annex II - Marine Litter Protocol