Events and News
Conclusion of the monitoring campaign on microplastics
Aug 24, 2023ISPRA is pleased to announce the conclusion of the monitoring campaign on microplastics, financed by the Ministry of the Environment and conducted by the Institute.
The monitoring covered the period 2021-2023, focusing on the eastern and northern coasts of Sicily in the last campaign that has just ended.
ISPRA researchers have acquired key data during this campaign, creating the basis for an in-depth analysis of the presence of microplastics in Italian seas. Attention shifts to the ISPRA laboratories, where the collected samples will be carefully analysed, helping to create a clear understanding of the presence of microplastics in marine waters.
Documentary "Plastic Busters MPAs"
Aug 08, 2023The project, coordinated by ISPRA, was funded by the European Community Cooperation INTERREG MED. For the first time on a Mediterranean scale, EU countries and candidate states have joined forces to tackle the problem of marine litter +. The consequences generated on the marine environment and on the health of its fauna have been studied in some protected areas. The objective of "Plastic Busters MPAs" was to define, through specific memoranda of understanding, a "Governance Plan" of the marine protected areas involved so as to extend it to all marine protected areas of the Mediterranean.
Signed the agreement for the joint Sino-Italian laboratory of Functional Biology of Marine Biota between Zhejiang Ocean University and ISPRA
Aug 02, 2023The laboratories were set up at the respective locations of the Zhejiang Ocean University (ZJOU) Haida South Road campus, Lincheng Changzhi Island, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, and at the ISPRA headquarters in Livorno, as part of the Experimental Section for Ecological Risk Assessment in marine-coastal areas of the National Center for environmental characterization and protection of the coastal strip, marine climatology and operational oceanography
Sea turtle nests, 2023 is the record year
Aug 02, 2023There are currently 293 loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests found and secured along Italian beaches: it is the all-time record and a number destined to increase in the coming weeks. Volunteers from Legambiente and other organizations, engaged in nest monitoring and surveillance activities as part of the European LIFE Turtlenest project, continue to report day by day traces of mother turtle ascent on Italian beaches.
LIFE Conceptu Maris: photo contest edition 2023
Aug 02, 2023Until midnight on 24 September 2023, those who photograph the beauty of the Mediterranean can participate in the second edition of the “Profondo blu. Whales, dolphins and turtles in the open sea”related to LIFE Conceptu Maris.
"Beware of those 4!" Citizen science campaign promoted by IRBIM CNR and ISPRA for the sighting of alien species in the Mediterranean
Aug 01, 2023In the video, the latest sighting, along the Calabrian coasts, of the Scorpion Fish which has very long and thin venomous spines on its dorsal, anal and pelvic fins.
ISPRA and CNR-IRBIM recall the campaign Watch out for those 4! The two institutes, in collaboration with the Alien Fish project, collect reports as envisaged by the "Beware of those 4" campaign.
Approved the Convention between ISPRA - Civil Protection Department for SiAM
Aug 01, 2023The Convention signed between ISPRA and the Civil Protection Department for a collaborative relationship in institutional activities aimed at the development of knowledge and methodologies useful for the functioning of the National Alert System for Tsunami Generated by Earthquake (SiAM)
Documentary "Pescatori di Reti"
Jul 27, 2023In the documentary "Pescatori di Reti", produced by ISPRA, all the activities carried out by the partners during the project Mo.Ri.net are described. The main objective of the project is to remove marine litter, with particular attention to ghost nets, i.e. lost or entangled nets or parts of them, identified in two pilot areas: in the Marine Protected Area of the Asinara Park and in the Gulf of Asinara and Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area in Sardegna
Comics "Twenty thousand nets under the sea"
Jul 25, 2023The sea is progressively becoming a deposit of marine waste.
The cartoon "Twenty thousand networks under the seas" deals with the issue of marine litter, focusing attention on the impact that waste has on marine organisms and ecosystems, and illustrating some positive actions carried out thanks to the collaboration between several subjects, in particular researchers and fishermen.
"20,000 Nets Under the Sea" (2D, 3D version for 3D version requires 3D glasses)
Signed agreement between the Italian Navy and ISPRA for the protection and monitoring of the seas
Jul 25, 2023 — Jul 25, 2023The signing of the implementing agreement between the Navy and ISPRA was held today in the morning. The agreement was signed by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, team admiral Enrico Credendino, and the Director General of ISPRA, Dr. Maria Siclari.
The agreement formalises the collaboration between the two institutes, in projects, research and studies concerning the knowledge and protection of the marine environment, also in the context of the National Military Research Plan, the exchange of oceanographic data relating to activities of common interest and professional updating.
In underlining the importance of this agreement, the Director General of ISPRA declared: "The agreement on the broad and complex theme of monitoring and assessing submarine noise represents a fundamental element in the context of the fruitful collaboration between ISPRA and the Navy, which is articulated on several levels from the PNRR to the implementation of Community directives, Marine Strategy in primis".
Sea urchins more sensitive to metal toxicity as a consequence of the past two decades
Jul 19, 2023The ISPRA research group based in Livorno, in collaboration with a researcher from the University of Nottingham, has published the results of a twenty-year laboratory activity conducted using sea urchins in Marine Pollution Bulletin. Data have shown as the climate change and ocean acidification, which is already taking place in the Mediterranean Sea, have caused a reduction in the tolerance of a natural population of sea urchins to copper toxicity. This conclusion supports the need to reevaluate the knowledge we have today about environmental contaminants in the context of future changes in the environment.
Ma.Ro.Ma. Project: the relevant activities within the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area carried out by ISPRA
Jul 14, 2023ISPRA is conducting significant activities within the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area through the use of UAS "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle" systems, drones equipped with multispectral cameras and very high resolution RGB.
The surveys are carried out thanks to the scientific collaboration between ISPRA and the managing body of the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area, as part of the Ma.Ro.Ma. Project. Marine Robotic Mapping.
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the areas in the world where seabirds are most at risk of ingesting plastic
Jul 09, 2023Published in Nature Communications a study on the exposure of seabirds to plastic pollution in the seas, carried out by more than 200 scholars from all over the world, including three ISPRA researchers.
The movements of more than 7,000 individuals belonging to 77 seabird species were analyzed in relation to the concentration of plastic in the sea.
The results of the study identified the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and circular sea currents as the areas most at risk of plastic ingestion for birds.
Underwater Cleaning 2023
Jul 08, 2023 — Jul 08, 2023 PalermoLast 8 july was held in the Mondello Gulf the edition of the Underwater Cleaning Mondello 2023. The initiative, organized by OWAC Engineering Company and patronage by Asja Ambiente, has seen tens of volunteers involved in the collection of any kind of waste, along the beach of the Gulf. Thanks to the job of the teams on the sea, made up of about thirty freedivers, plastic and glass bottles, plastic bags and even truck covers were recovered.
Change the climate. Change the sea
Jun 30, 2023 07:00 PM — Jun 30, 2023 08:00 PM Isola d'Elba, Marciana MarinaThe Sea Essence International Festival is held on the Island of Elba from 30 June to 2 July, the first international festival dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the sea.
The three-day activities will focus on the initiatives to be undertaken to achieve full sustainability for the marine ecosystem, bringing together the environment, economy and society.
On Friday 30 June, the ISPRA Director General, Maria Siclari, will participate in the conference "Change the climate Change the sea". The central themes of the meeting are pollution and the overexploitation of the seas and oceans which cause an increasing number of problems, such as the danger for the diversity of species, the acidification of the seas and the increase in plastic waste. .
The ecological beach of Ascea Marina, in Cilento
Jun 27, 2023On 24 and 25 June, ISPRA researchers, in collaboration with the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, involved children and teenagers in various environmental education activities on the beach of Ascea Marina: workshops on sea turtles and oceanic Posidonia, games, comics on the sea and much else.
What species of cetaceans and turtles can be found in our seas?
Jun 23, 2023Some videos realized in four languages by the CIMA Foundation, the International Center for Environmental Monitoring, are available on the LIFE Conceptu Maris Project website to explain which species of cetaceans and turtles it is possible to encounter in the Italian seas and also to give useful indications for recognizing them.
ISPRA is the coordinating beneficiary of the Project
Final results of the GoFree project
Jun 21, 2023The final results of the project dedicated to the introduction of striped humpback shrimp fishing in Sardegna with biodegradable and compostable pots are encouraging.
In the 5 experimental fishing campaigns, "sustainable" tools offered performances, in terms of fishing yield, comparable to those made of plastic. The researchers also studied the nutritional components of the striped hunchback, deep-sea shrimp, to evaluate its nutritional contribution to human nutrition.
The GoFree project, coordinated by ISPRA, has opened up new perspectives for reconciling tradition, sustainability and innovation with a view to conserving biodiversity in marine environments.
Final event MED Dé.CO.U.Plages
Jun 21, 2023 — Jun 22, 2023 Kerkennah – TunisiaTwo days dedicated to the European Italy-Tunisia project, for an eco-sustainable management of plastic waste and Posidonia oceanica deposits.
The project, in which ISPRA participates, was developed over three years, among the beaches of some sites identified by the researchers (Favignana, Kerkennah, Madia) to experiment with best practice models for mapping and monitoring the accumulations of Posidonia (Banquette) and to develop an ecological beach model.
The closure of the project, which was held in Kerkennah (TU) these days saw the participation of all the partners involved
Climate change, energy transition and digitalisation: models of adaptation, management and development of the Mediterranean coastal areas
Jun 21, 2023 — Jun 23, 2023 MateraThe event is aimed at institutions, administrations, researchers and professionals working on issues related to the impacts of climate change, with particular attention to the issues of energy transition and digitization.
Signed the memorandum of understanding between ISPRA and the University of Palermo
Jun 19, 2023The agreement is aimed at promoting collaboration between ISPRA and UNIPA for the achievement of goals of common interest in the planning and implementation of projects in the sectors of environmental protection and sustainability, for the adoption of a shared strategy.
16 June, World sea turtle day
Jun 16, 2023World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated on 16 June, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the endangered status of these species.
On January 20, the Kick-off meeting of the LIFE TURTLENEST project was held, co-financed by the European Union and coordinated by Legambiente, whose main objective is to conserve and protect the Caretta Caretta sea turtle. LIFE TURTLENEST also intends to evaluate the impact of climate change on the nesting of the species.
ISPRA, as project partner, is responsible for the geomorphological characterization of nesting sites, analysis for land use planning and management, geomorphological and chemical characterization and preparation of guidelines on coastal erosion management for the suitability of the nesting habitat.
Sea and Health
Jun 15, 2023 09:00 AM — Jun 15, 2023 03:30 PMUnderstand and check the connections between the global ocean and human health trough the scientific cooperation and the institutional partnership
The Conference, with the participation of institutions, research bodies and the third sector involved in the protection of aquatic and marine environments, intends to strengthen the actions that Italy is promoting at national and international level, in the perspective of "planetary health" and "one water”, towards the realization of the sustainable development goals of the UN Agenda 2030.
The event is structured in a first part focused on the actions of the central institutions with respect to environmental protection and a second part dedicated to research and communication, in which the «SEA-CARE» project will also be presented, in partnership with ISS-SNPA-MM and some Universities, and the actions of PNRR MER – Marine Ecosystem Restoration, Restoration, carried out by ISPRA, under the vision of MASE
Wreck of the Elpis ship on the seabed of the Marine Protected Area of the Egadi Islands: the 3D mapping mission is underwary
Jun 14, 2023Ultra-resolution 3D photogrammetric surveys and samples for laboratory analyzes are underway aimed at understanding the colonization dynamics of oceanic posidonia on the ship wrecked in 1978. The mission involves ISPRA, the Underwater Carabinieri Nuclei of Messina and Rome, the Naval Service of Favignana , IAS CNR of Palermo and DiSTeM UNIPA.
The new web site of the ISPRA networks for monitoring the physical state of the sea is online
Jun 01, 2023From today the new web site of the National Mareographic Network (RMN) and the National Ondametric Network (RON) is online, accessible at the web address:www.mareografico.it
The web site allows to query the databases of tide gauge stations and weather-wave buoys in real time with the possibility of consulting and extracting the observed data of tide levels, wave motion and the main marine weather parameters in the installation locations of the stations measuring machines.
Event to present the results of a project on marine litter collection operations by fishermen
May 20, 2023 11:00 AM Municipality of Portopalo di Capo PasseroLast Saturday 20 May 2023, the event to present the results of the project «Collection interventions by fishermen of waste from the sea on the surface and on the seabed including the removal of lost fishing tool from the sea" funded under the EMFF 2014-2020 - Project Measure 4.63 "Implementation of participatory-type local development strategies" - under which ISPRA of Palermo provided support scientific for the removal of lost fishing tool.
ISPRA and ARPA Sardegna: joint inspection to verify the state of health of the replanting of Posidonia in Porto Torres
May 18, 2023 — May 18, 2023 Porto TorresOn May 18, the technicians of ISPRA and ARPA Sardegna were together in the Gulf of Asinara to monitor the manually transplanted Posidonia oceanica meadow. The transplant started in October 2022 and ended in March 2023, involving a final surface area of 11,500 m2 (7,000 m2 net). It is an environmental compensation work prescribed for the expansion works of the Civic Port of Porto Torres, by the VIA Decree n. 35 of 06/02/2018.
GET ON BOARD WITH THE RESEARCHERS - The Citizen Science campaign to monitor cetaceans, turtles and marine litter of the European Life Project CONCEPTU MARIS is started
May 16, 2023 10:00 AM — May 16, 2023 12:30 PM Rome, sede ISPRA, sala Conferenze, Via V. Brancati, 48The Life Conceptu Maris (CONservation of CEtaceans and Pelagic sea TUrtles in Med: Managing Actions for their Recovery In Sustainability) project is preparing to start the citizen science phase: citizens, professionals and students will be invited to board the ferries to contribute monitoring alongside ISPRA researchers. The recruitment starts from ISPRA colleagues operating on other activities who will want to experience how monitoring data of megafauna and sea turtles from ferries are collected.
National Sea Day
May 16, 2023 — May 16, 2023ISPRA is participating today, at the Castelporziano Estate, in the National Day of the Sea, promoted by the Ministry for Civil Protection and Marine Policies, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella and the Minister Nello Musumeci.
ISPRA exhibits two exhibitions, one dedicated to the adventures of sea turtle Carrie, created as part of the INDICIT Project, which narrates the dangers Carrie encounters due to abandoned nets, plastics and microplastics. The second exhibition "20.000 nets under the sea" is realized as part of the Mo.Ri.Net Project, whose objective is the conservation of marine habitats in two pilot areas of Sardinia through actions that include the removal of marine litter and fishing gear fishing lost, actively involving fishermen and raising awareness of the problem with dissemination and dissemination activities. From the point of view of the Circular Economy, the polyethylene waste collected, if suitable, is sent to the recycling and valorisation process.
Both exhibitions, together with the exhibition stand, were visited by President Mattarella and Minister Musumeci.
ISPRA president Stefano Laporta and the DG Maria Siclari have participated at the event.
The natural monument La Frasca: the evolution of the environment from the Pleistocene to today
May 13, 2023 10:00 AM — May 13, 2023 05:00 PM Civitavecchia e Tarquinia (VT), Monumento Naturale La Frasca, Via Sparterro Melchiorri - Strada della Torre ValdaligaAs part of the side events organized for the European Researchers' Night 2023 which this year will take place on 29 September, ISPRA, on Saturday 13 May, will organize the following excursion: "The natural monument La Frasca: the evolution of the environment from the Pleistocene to today".