Progetto LIFE "Elasmobranchs Low-Impact Fishing Experience" - ELIFE (DTA.AD002.488)

Thematic area

Earth system science and environmental technologies

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Istituto per le Risorse Biologiche e le Biotecnologie Marine (IRBIM)

Project manager

ALESSANDRO LUCCHETTI
Phone number: 0712078828
Email: alessandro.lucchetti@cnr.it

Abstract

The project ELIFE aims at improving the conservation of elasmobranch species (sharks and rays) promoting best conservation practices in the context of the EU professional fishing, in the Mediterranean Sea, carrying out pilot and demonstrative actions in Italian harbours of Chioggia, Gallipoli, Lampedusa, Cirò Marina/Porto Cesareo, North Sardinia, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo and Pelagie Islands.

Goals

Based both on the current scientific baseline and on focused interviews to fishermen operating in the main Italian fishing harbours carried out this year, specific objectives of the project are:
- reduction of the by-catch of many threatened elasmobranchs, critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species, during the professional fishing activities;
- reduction of the mortality of threatened elasmobranchs during the professional fishing activities;
- elimination of catches for the endangered sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus, caused by bottom trawling in the waters of the Lampione island;
- reduction of the incidental catches and collisions and the anthropic disturbance on the endangered basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus, in Northern Sardinian Sea;
- implementation of suitable conservation measures with an eco-systemic approach to fisheries through the preparation and adoption of specific local management plans;
- supporting the management authorities for conservation and management policies of sharks in IT and CY, providing newest and deepest data for assessment of the environmental status and implementing activities consistent with a management plan of this species;

Start date of activity

01/10/2019

Keywords

elasmobranchi, pesca, conservazione

Last update: 02/05/2025