IN THE CASE THAT “WORLD BIODIVITY DAY” 2024, CELEBRATED ON MAY 22, TWO PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS LIFE PINNA E LIFE FROM THE SEATHEY OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE AND PROTECT MARINE LIFE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA: MUFFLES, SEA TURTLES AND PINNA NOBILIS, THE LARGEST BIVALVE MOLLUSCS IN OUR SEAS, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION
A day to defend the sea
Il MediterraneanAlthough it occupies less than 1% of the world’s ocean surface, a treasure trove of biodiversity is home to approximately 7% of the world’s marine fauna. A third of the species that populate it are endemic, that is to say exclusively present in the Mare Nostrum.
This natural heritage, as priceless as it is fragile, is now becoming the protagonist thanks to the photo competitions of two prestigious European projects dedicated toenvironment e all’climate action.
From barracudas to scorpionfish, from gorgonians to jellyfish and sharks: more and more fishermen and passionate citizens are documenting marine life with their smartphones.
World Biodiversity Day: Discovering Mare Nostrum
From May 22, World Biodiversity Day and throughout the summer everyone can participate in the second edition of two photography competitions: “Deep blue” e “Living among the rocks”.
Capturing the beauty and complexity of the Mediterranean Sea during a dive with mask and snorkel, a deeper dive, a boat trip or a day trip Whale watchingwe will be able to contribute to the valorization of this heritage.
Participation in both competitions is free. The subjects of the photos must be depicted in the Mediterranean Sea and captive animals or pets are not allowed.
Entrants have until midnight on September 22, 2024 to submit their photos. The winners will be announced in early October on the official websites of Sea life concept e LIFE Pinna and on the social media of the organizers. Up for grabs are books, t-shirts and project gadgets with a maritime theme.
Competition details: Profondo Blu
Competition “Deep blue“, promoted by the project Sea life concept (CONservation of CEtaceans and Pelagic sea TUrtles in Med: Managing Actions for their Recovery In Sustainability), invita a documentare cetacei, whales, sperm whales, dolphins and dolphins (mammals of the dolphin family), spotted during whale watching or turtles in trouble. Photos should express the wealth of marine life and help raise awareness about its protection.
Life among the rocks
Competition “Living among the rocks”organized by the LIFE Pinna project (conservation and repopulation of Pinna nobilis in the Western Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea) invites anyone exploring the intertidal and shallow waters to participate.
During a dive with mask and fins or a coastal exploration, participants can photograph crabs, small fish and algae formations and focus on the protection of Pinna nobilis, the largest bivalve mollusk in our seas, which is in danger of extinction.
But who is thegiant of the Mediterranean”.
The Pinna nobilis: an ancient history
The A noble finalso known as “sea castanets”, is the largest bivalve mollusk endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Its history goes back 20 million years. First described by a scientist Carl Linnaeus In 1758, this majestic sea dweller could reach a height of 120 centimeters and live for over forty-five years.
Its shell, often covered with crusts and microorganisms, makes it a jewel of the invertebrate fauna. It lives between 3 and 60 meters deep, mainly in sandy bottoms and posidonia meadows, a marine ecosystem of great importance. Being a filter-feeding animal, it contributes to purifying the water and maintaining the ecological balance.
Curiosity and cultural interest
In the past, Pinna nobilis was highly sought after, both for its shell, coveted by collectors, and for its… Ours, a fiber produced from the filaments used to make fine fabrics. This interest, along with pollution and intensive fishing, has led to a reject of the population, forcing the European Union to take protective measures in the 1980s.
Since 2016, the mollusk has been hit by a massive epidemic that has devastated its populations. The protozoan Haplosporidium pinnae, initially identified as the main culprit, attacks the mollusk’s digestive system, causing rapid and widespread mortality.
Recent studies have also identified mycobacteria and vibrios as cofactors in the crisis. This situation has led to theIUCN to classify Pinna nobilis as “Critically Endangered” (critically endangered).
Conservation and the future
The four-year LIFE Pinna project began in October 2021, with the aim of protecting and monitoring Pinna nobilis populations. It also involves repopulating the species in captivity using innovative techniques and monitoring residual populations.
Affected areas include Liguria, Sardinia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Tuscany in Italy, as well as the Obalno-kraska region in Slovenia. The bodies involved include ARPAL, the Asinara National Park, the NIB, the Shoreline Cooperative Society, the Universities of Genoa and Sassari and Triton Research.
Sea life concept
Il progetto LIFE Conceptu Maris (Conservation of Cetaceans and Pelagic Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean) mira a to protect cetaceans and sea turtles in the Mediterranean Sea.
Using advanced technologies such as environmental DNA, the project collects data on the distribution and ecological preferences of these species. Activities include monitoring marine animals, waste and maritime traffic, as well as campaigns “citizen science” involving citizens.
The project will take place in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, with replications in the Adriatic Sea, the eastern Ionian Sea, in the cetacean migration corridor north of the Balearic Islands and in the Sanctuary of Pelagosa 2,022 km long coastal area that runs from the French Riviera to the Ligurian and Tuscan coasts, as far as the Strait of Bonifacio and includes the islands of Hyeres, the Tuscan Archipelago and the entire island of Corsica.
The international team consists of ISPRA, the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, Eco Océan Institut, CIMA Foundation, CMCC Foundation, Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, Triton Research and several universities.
Participation and impact
These projects not only contribute to… protection of marine biodiversitybut also promotes the active participation of the public through activities “citizen science” and photography competitions.
«More and more citizens want to contribute to the protection of our beautiful seas and get to know them better – tells Stefano Picchigeneral manager of Triton Research. With these projects we have developed activities that involve a very large audience. We ask everyone’s help to spread them furthere”.