Scientific news

This is the main conclusion of a new study in participation with the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) that reveals the loss of these key ecosystems for marine biodiversity in Europe.

This is being done through NID4OCEAN, an initiative funded under Horizon Europe’s ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ mission that unites 13 partners from 8 countries.

The initiative, led by ICM-CSIC, aims to make fishing activity compatible with the conservation of elasmobranchs, which are highly threatened in the Mediterranean.

The species, native to the Indo-Pacific, is consolidating its presence in the eastern Mediterranean and is now even detected in colder waters where it was initially not expected to thrive.

The project aligns with circular economy and zero-waste policies, and will establish partnerships with the fishing sector, the Ministry, and the European Union.

Details are documented in a study co-led by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) and the University of Barcelona (UB), recently published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin.