Research staff of the Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (ICBiBE), located in the scientific-academic area of the Science Park of the University of Valencia (PCUV), lead the European project LIFE-OASIS, endowed with 5.5 million euros, which seeks to improve methods against ghost fishing, that produced by lost or abandoned fishing gear (APPA) at sea, and protect the biodiversity of the Mediterranean
Researchers David March and Jesús Tomás are developing innovative tools to reduce the interaction of sea turtles with these objects. The project, co-financed by the European Union, is led by ALNITAK, an organization that looks after marine conservation, and involves scientific entities such as universities and the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC)
In particular, the ICBiBE team is investigating the "oasis effect", a phenomenon in which anchored fish aggregating objects (aFADs) create marine microhabitats where turtles can be trapped. "Understanding how turtles use these structures is key to designing more sustainable fishing devices," explains David March, researcher of excellence from the Valencian Community at ICBiBE and lead researcher for the project.
In addition, UV collaborates with marine recovery centers in Spain, Italy and Malta to improve rescue protocols and analysis of turtles trapped on abandoned fishing gear. "The study of the deposited specimens provides us with key information about the scope of the problem and helps to design effective conservation strategies," says Jesús Tomás, a researcher at the Marine Zoology Unit of the Cavanilles Institute and an expert on sea turtles.
In fact, every year a considerable number of sea turtles are caught on lost or abandoned fishing gear. With the Mediterranean shared by multiple countries and fleets, protecting its ecosystem requires coordinated action and shared responsibility. This impacts not only biodiversity, but also the sustainability of fisheries and maritime safety.
"The study of the deposited specimens provides us with key information on the extent of the problem and helps to design effective conservation strategies", Jesús Tomás, researcher at the Marine Zoology Unit of the Cavanilles Institute and expert in sea turtles
The objectives of the LIFE OASIS project include the development of a smart fishing model with more technologically advanced, efficient and sustainable fixed fish aggregating devices (aFAD). The second objective is to promote a collaborative network involving fishermen, skippers and marine wildlife recovery centres across the Mediterranean to facilitate the rescue of sea turtles trapped in APPA. Therefore, third, reports and reports from fishermen and sailors on the location of marine litter will allow for the development of detailed maps that identify critical points of accumulation of APPA. These maps will be key to preventing ghost fishing and mitigating its long-term impacts.
In addition, the LIFE OASIS team also has the support of authorities, ports and patrollers of the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard (SEMAR) and Maritime Rescue (SASEMAR), as well as collaboration in information actions and prevention campaigns.
"Understanding how turtles use these structures is key to designing more sustainable fishing devices", David March, researcher of excellence from the Valencian Community at ICBiBE and lead researcher for the project
Also, in an effort to revolutionise sustainable fishing, the LIFE OASIS project has joined forces with fishermen from the Balearic Islands, Malta and Sicily to develop a replicable fishing model based on anchored fish aggregating devices (aFADs). This approach not only reduces the loss of fishing gear and minimizes by-catch using state-of-the-art technology, but also maximises efficiency through the use of biodegradable materials. The result: a solution that effectively combats ghost fishing and strengthens the sustainability of the sector. This model will be developed in the Mediterranean, but is designed to be replicated in other regions.
The LIFE OASIS project is co-financed by the European Union through the LIFE and Natura 2000 programmes, and has the collaboration of an international consortium including scientific entities such as the University of Valencia, the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM) of the CSIC, the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, CSIC) and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), the University of Pisa and the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. The fisheries sector also plays a central role, supported by CEPESCA, Europe’s largest fishing confederation, and technology companies like SATLINK, as well as conservation organisations such as Filicudi Wildlife Conservation and Nature Trust Malta.
Source: UV News