Funded under the EU LIFE program, the project Conservation of Cetaceans and Pelagic Sea Turtles in Med Managing Actions for their Recovery in Sustainability (CONCEPTU MARIS) is dedicated to the protection and conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, particularly in the central and southern area.
The project, which began in January 2022 and will end in September 2026, intends to act on several fronts. In fact, it plans to carry out mapping activities and identification of some sites of particular importance for marine species, such as ecological corridors, hotspots for ecological processes, areas of particular risk as affected by the accumulation of marine litter or because subject to maritime traffic. Regarding the latter two elements, CONCEPTU MARIS also plans to develop a shared international approach for monitoring and assessing marine traffic and marine litter. The project will also carry out monitoring activities of species of interest, marine litter and traffic involving also ferries that travel routes in the considered area and integrating both traditional and innovative methods such as remote sensing data collection and environmental DNA collection, which can provide information on the health status of marine species.
In addition, the project will conduct an evaluation of the protection measures, in order to establish their consistency with the ecological needs of the species considered. It also aims to identify the best mechanisms for their conservation. Through these activities, the project will contribute to the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive of the European Union.
CIMA Research Foundation is involved in all project phases and is also responsible for monitoring and data collection activities in the Pelagos Sanctuary area and for the realization of a training course dedicated to ships’ crews on marine biodiversity issues, in particular on the risk of collision with large vessels.
