Events and News

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

The ISPRA/National Observatory for the Protection of the Sea convention has been signed to develop awareness activities related the Italian coasts and seas

The Director General of ISPRA Maria Siclari and the President of the National Observatory for the Protection of the Sea (ONTM APS) Roberto Minerdo have signed a Convention, lasting two years, with the aim of promoting technological research and raising awareness on theme of the defense of coasts, ecosystems and marine biodiversity, to enhance the Italian natural heritage and for the development of socioeconomic models in the New Blue Economy.

In particular, ISPRA as implementing body and within the PNRR MER - Marine Ecosystem Restoration Project, deals with the restoration and protection of the seabed and marine habitats, the integral mapping of the Italian coast, coastal habitats and deep habitats present in the seamounts of Italian marine waters, the strengthening of the observation networks of fixed monitoring stations, all this through the implementation of 37 overall interventions.

The Observatory is committed to disseminating, raising awareness and studying issues relating to New Blue Economy sectors, with particular reference to the areas of energy production (offshore wind and photovoltaic, geothermal energy...) and the development of coastal and cruise tourism and Green Defense for the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law in the community context.

Workshop PANACEA project

The workshop on the PANACEA Project - Posidonia monitoring Activities for the conservation of the NAtural Coastal Environment using Autonomous robots financed by the European Union will be held on 3 May in Pisa. The day is divided into three sections: relevance of Posidonia oceanica, monitoring and technological aspects for marine environmental monitoring.

New techniques for the 3D mapping of species and habitats of conservation interest and for the mapping of shipwrecks of historical interest

ISPRA and the Underwater Carabinieri of Rome and Messina are experimenting with new techniques for the 3D mapping of species and habitats of conservation interest and for the mapping of wrecks of historical interest. The experimentation, carried out as part of the Ma.Ro.Ma "Marine Remote Mapping" project, underway in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area, is aimed at developing new methodological protocols to support the monitoring of MPAs.

Reduce impacts on the coast. Erosion, storm surges, sea level rise, heat waves

The conference, organized by the Municipality of Rome, is the fourth appointment in a series of public meetings dedicated to consulting citizens on the proposed Climate Adaptation Strategy of Rome, the capital.

The measurement of sea level

Sea level in the era of climate change, the tools for its measurement, the evaluation of coastal erosion, subsidence and the risks for the Emilia-Romagna coast are the themes of the seminar "Mean sea level: impact on the territory", organized by Arpae.

The meeting presents a reflection on the latest technical-scientific studies carried out in Emilia-Romagna and the Northern Adriatic.

Wrecks, waste and biodiversity in the depths of the Mediterranean

The seabed has always fascinated man and until a few decades ago what lay beyond 50 meters was shrouded in mystery. Thanks to a series of new underwater technologies developed in recent decades, such as 3D mapping, it is possible to obtain detailed images of submerged wrecks. Observing what is at great depths allows us to study biodiversity hotspots, facilitating actions to restore marine habitats.

ISPRA at the Rome Science Festival

From 16 to 21 April 2024 the Rome Science Festival returns to the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone with its 19th edition.

Mistakes and wonders is the theme of this edition, dedicated to the wonder that accompanies every discovery, the engine that pushes scientists to explore, ask questions and question consolidated knowledge, always going further. Wondering, even in the face of crises and problems, is the first step in seeking new answers and solutions, on a path not without missteps, failures and denials, errors.

ISPRA is the scientific partner of the event and promotes a series of initiatives.

Program

16 - 21 april 15:00 - 21:00

Mostra "Relitti, rifiuti e biodiversità nelle profondità del Mediterraneo"

16 - 21 april  15:00 - 21:00

Mostra "Meravigliosa natura, umani errori"

19 april  18:30

Che tempo farà? Incertezze nelle previsioni metereologiche

20 - 21 april 8:45 e 9:15

Le attività di ISPRA e la Tenuta Presidenziale di Castelporziano
Evento gratuito con prenotazione obbligatoria

20 - 21 april 11:00 - 15:30

Laboratorio "Mostra "Meravigliosa natura, umani errori"

21 april ore 11:00

Sottoterra nessuno può sentirti urlare

Pollution, an integrated sea-coast response

As part of an Agreement between MASE and ISPRA, an in-depth project was launched on the 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 case of accidental pollution caused by spills of petroleum products and dangerous and noxious chemical substances (HNS).

Marine pollution caused by the dumping of wastes and other matter from ships and aircraft

ISPRA continues in the collaboration for the implementation of the London Convention and the 1996 Protocol on the prevention of marine pollution caused by the dumping of wastes and other matter.

Posidonia Friend

The municipality of San Vincenzo (LI) is also promoting a project this year on the theme of environment and sustainability which has Posidonia as its protagonist, a marine plant that is very present along the Tuscan coasts and of fundamental importance for the marine ecosystem.
The events will start on Friday 12 April with researchers from the ISPRA headquarters in Livorno who will hold a lesson dedicated to middle school students, and will end on 21 June with an evening open to all: the protagonist will always be Posidonia, a plant to get to know and protect

PNRR - MER Project. Environmental monitoring in aquaculture: an underwater wireless communication network in the Gulf of Follonica

11 APRIL – NATIONAL SEA DAY

An underwater wireless communication network for environmental monitoring in the Gulf of Follonica, one of the most important production centers for national aquaculture. It is the project that Ispra is carrying out as part of the PNRR's MER (Marine Ecosystem Restoration) plan. The activities of the project began last March 14th, financed with a budget of half a million euros which will allow the monitoring of approximately 3,000 hectares in the offshore fish and shellfish farming plants in the area between Livorno and Grosseto thanks to a sort of "neural network" submarine. A project applied for the first time in Italy and unique in the Mediterranean Sea.

Press release (ita)

3rd National Summit on the Economy of the Sea - Blue Forum

Investing in the Sea Economy

At the 3rd National Summit on the Economy of the Sea Blue Forum in Gaeta from 10 to 13 April 2024, National Sea Day will be celebrated.
Four days of work with all the stakeholders of the sea and national and European politics with the aim of sharing an Italian investment program for 2025-2027 on the Sea Economy, with its own Action Plan and providing contributions to the future Connected to the Sea and on the Blue Economy. Starting from the Sea Plan and the implementation proposals, the drafting of the 2024 Blue Paper will begin.

Sea robot - The challenges of marine exploration

The documentary in English "Sea robot - The challenges of marine exploration" is now also available on the website of EuroGOOS, an association of national government agencies, research bodies and private companies involved in oceanography within the intergovernmental Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), of which ISPRA is part. The documentary recounts the technological progress of recent decades applied to marine research. New technologies have revealed the splendor and richness of deep ecosystems, allowing researchers to acquire valuable data and information for the study of these environments. In addition to the extreme richness and beauty of nature, the images also show the signs of human activities: mysterious wrecks, archaeological finds and, unfortunately, waste and abandoned fishing gear

Initial seminar of the A.M.MI.R.ARE project

The launch of the project focused on the resilience of beaches in the western Mediterranean area, will be held in Pisa on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 March at the Headquarters of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, with the active involvement of the National Center for Characterization and Protection of the coast, marine climatology and operational oceanography of ISPRA.
The event aims to organize the project activities that have obtained funding from the INTERREG Italy-France Maritime programme.

ISPRA’s participation in the activities of the EU projects MARINE SABRES and MARBEFES

From March 19 to 20 ISPRA was invited as a stakeholder to the workshop organized as part of 2 European projects funded by the research and innovation programme Horizon Europe: MARINE SABRES and MARBEFES concerning regulation and governance measures for the protection of the marine ecosystem.

ISPRA at the third National Summit on the Economy of the Sea - Blue Forum

The President of ISPRA and SNPA Stefano Laporta met, at the Institute's headquarters, Giovanni Acampora, President of the Frosinone - Latina Chamber of Commerce, Assonautica Italiana and SiCamera.
During the meeting, actions for adaptation to climate change were discussed, with Blue and Green interventions to be implemented to improve the resilience of the entire ecosystem. The central theme was the sea and the strategies to reduce the impact of climate change on one of the country's main resources, also in economic terms. 
A topic that will be discussed in the next National Summit on the Economy of the Sea - Blue Forum, scheduled in Gaeta from 10 to 13 April.

PNRR WED. The restoration of one of the most threatened marine environments in Europe: flat oyster habitats

In the "breeding parks" 300,000 larvae have already been obtained, the objective is to reach 1 million to be allocated to breeding

ISPRA's activities have begun for the restoration of one of the most threatened marine environments in Europe: the habitats of the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), a native Adriatic species, in five Italian regions: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Abruzzo. An activity in line with the requests of the European Strategy for Biodiversity and the objectives of the recently approved "Nature Restoration Law". The operations involve the introduction of adult reproductive individuals - both collected with sustainable fishing techniques and bred - and the placing on the seabed of substrates favorable to the taking root of new generations of oysters and the formation of the reef. To support the interventions, instruments for measuring environmental parameters will be installed which will complement the data collected through specific monitoring programs.

Plastic and circular economy

The seminar, addressed to the local administrators of Villasimius, is dedicated to the topics of plastics, circular economy and the impacts that they can produce on the territory and sea.

It will be also presented the project LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS, which AMP Capo Carbonare is partner and aims to conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Mediterranean.

Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival

From 11 to 17 March 2024, the European Commission organized the Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival, a week of events on the bioeconomy to make young people more aware of the ecological and sustainable transition, and involve them personally as actors of change. APRE and FVA New Media Research with the GenB project, ScienzaInsieme, and Cluster SPRING, will organize the Italian satellite event “Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival – Rome Edition”.

Scientific-technological research and advanced training applied to marine sciences

On 7 and 8 March at the Zhejiang Ocean University (ZJOU), in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to China Dr. Massimo Ambrosetti, the II Italy-China bilateral workshop on "Scientific-technological research and higher education" will take place. applied to marine sciences", organized by the Italian Embassy in China and the ZJOU.

Representatives of ISPRA, the University of Pisa and the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station will also be present at the workshop.

Refining tools for cetacean conservation

Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) is a powerful tool employed by researchers to pinpoint critical areas essential for species survival. This tool holds particular significance when studying and conserving species like cetaceans, whose large-scale movements in the vaste marine environment pose challenges for continuous monitoring across its entire extention.

Italy-China collaboration in research and innovation applied to marine sciences

During meetings that took place from 6 to 10 March in China, ISPRA, the University of Pisa and the A. Dohrn Zoological Station gave new impetus to their collaboration with the Zhejiang University of Oceanography (ZJOU ) supported by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

On-line the new environmental indicators data base ISPRA

An effective tool to understand the state of the environment in Italy
Developed with a view to improvement, to face increasingly pressing environmental challenges and to satisfy new knowledge needs, including future scenarios, the ISPRA environmental indicators database disseminates detailed statistical information in a dynamic and timely manner characterized by a high scientific solidity.

Which beaches Caretta Caretta choose for nesting? ISPRA sampling campaigns are in progress

In the frame of EU LIFETURTLENEST Project ISPRA beach sediment sampling campaigns on some breeding sites of the past seasons are in progress. The composition of the beach has an impact on the breeding success of Caretta Caretta marine turtles. Since last November two monitoring campaigns have been completed, namely in Tuscany Region and Lazio Region while in Campania Region are still ongoing, the campaign occurs on a monthly basis.

World Seagrass Day

World Seagrass Day is celebrated on March 1st, vital for the maintenance of marine ecosystems.
ISPRA celebrates this anniversary with 3 videos aimed at students, dedicated to Posidonia oceanica, its enormous ecological value, the importance of sustainable management and conscious use of coastal areas.

Photo contest "RAMOGE: Man and the Sea"

Under the auspices of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP)

The RAMOGE Agreement, which brings together Italy, France and the Principality of Monaco in the protection of Mediterranean coastal waters, launched on 15 February the third edition of the international photography contest "RAMOGE - Man and the Sea". Placed under the auspices of the International Federation of Photographic Arts (FIAP), the competition will be held until 15 September 2024.

LIFETURTLENEST launches a survey on socio-economic benefits

At the beginning of its second year of activities, the EU Project LIFE Turtlenest has launched a survey on socio-economic benefits produced in order to assess the impact of the project. This survey is useful to evaluate the level of Knowledge and awareness on topics linked to the conservation of marine turtles and the interest of key actors to carry on concrete actions for the protection of nature together with the project.

Presentation of the "Environment Report SNPA" - edition 2023

The Report, now in its fourth edition, offers a detailed overview of the state of our environment based on objective, reliable and comparable information, with 21 environmental indicators that allow us to evaluate the achievement of the numerous set objectives and to effectively address future environmental challenges . The second part of the document highlights the commitment and work of ISPRA and the ARPA/APPA, through a focus on best practices for the fight against climate change, to support the circular economy, to contribute to the process of sustainable finance, to protect our health and our planet and to raise awareness and inform the community.

Program

Spot Environment Report  SNPA

Environment Report SNPA - Edition 2023

The point on tsunami risk management in the Mediterranean and North-East Atlantic in the next assembly of countries participating in the IOC-UNESCO program

The 18th Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas it will be take place in Paris from 5 to 8 February