Ancona – IRBIM

CNR-IRBIM Days 2026

Posted on9 October 2026 byManuela Coci

27 to 29 October 2026. The city of Taranto will host the CNR-IRBIM Days 2026, the annual gathering of all our institute’s staff to take stock of our research, identity, and future. This edition represents a unique and strategic opportunity for discussion, designed to bring together the diverse facets and expertise of CNR-IRBIM in a moment of shared growth. Indeed, we will celebrate our evolution, uniting as many as 11 locations under a single, great network and a unified identity: Genoa, Fano, Ancona, Lesina, Taranto, Messina, Palermo, Castellammare del Golfo, Mazara del Vallo, Capo Granitola, and Oristano.

Three intense days of work, dialogue, and sharing to build the Institute’s future together. Watch the launch videos to find out more and check the complete program by scanning the QR code or visiting the dedicated page.

CNR reorganize the Marine Institutes

Posted on5 October 20266 October 2026 byManuela Coci

September 2026 The reorganization process of the National Research Council’s (CNR) scientific network in the marine sciences sector has been completed. The expertise and activities of the former Institute for the Study of Anthropogenic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (CNR-IAS) have merged into the Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies (CNR-DSSTTA), split between the Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), headquartered in Venice, and the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (CNR-IRBIM), which is also moving its headquarters to Ancona. With the integration of the facilities and staff of the former IAS, CNR-IRBIM consolidates and expands its scope across biodiversity, ecology, biological resources, marine microbiome, and biotechnology. This operation locates IRBIM as the primary national scientific hub, because of critical mass, human capital, and infrastructure, entirely dedicated to marine biology and the sustainable management of living resources. The new structure seamlessly covers the entire research chain on life in seas and oceans, strengthening key sectors for the blue economy such as fisheries and aquaculture.
This integration ensures complete continuity for all ongoing research projects, services, and national and international partnerships, while opening up new synergies across the entire spectrum of applied life sciences in marine environments: from biodiversity conservation and microbiome studies to fisheries management and technology, sustainable aquaculture, human impact assessment, and oceanographic process analysis.
As Gian Marco Luna, Director of CNR-IRBIM, emphasizes, the creation of this “new unified hub builds upon existing expertise and boosts the country’s capacity to drive scientific and technological innovation in support of public policy and ocean health.” More than eight years after the previous restructuring, this initiative aligns with CNR’s broader strategy to functionally reconfigure the architecture of marine research, making it more cohesive, competitive, and closely aligned with the strategic priorities and trajectories promoted by the European Commission for ocean protection and governance. In brief, the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) significantly expands its operational and scientific scope by integrating resources, staff, and facilities from both the former Institute for the Study of Anthropogenic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (IAS) and the Taranto branch of the Water Research Institute (IRSA). In terms of territorial presence, IRBIM structures its activities across 9 operational sites in total; the headquarters will be based in Ancona, with active operational sites in Messina, Lesina, Mazara del Vallo, Capo Granitola, Palermo, Oristano, Genoa, and Taranto.

CNR-IRBIM at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Coast Guard

Posted on3 October 2026 byManuela Coci

1st October 2026. CNR-IRBIM took part in the initiatives organized to celebrate the 50 anniversary of the establishment of the Coast Guard of San Benedetto del Tronto, aimed at exploring key issues related to the management and protection of marine resources. The conference “Navigating the future: sustainable initiatives for the blue economy from San Benedetto del Tronto to Europe” took place at the Concordia Theatre as part of the European Maritime Day event. The meeting brought together representatives from institutions, the maritime sector, and the scientific community to discuss innovation, sustainability, and the development of coastal communities.

Among the speakers at the conference was the Director of CNR-IRBIM, Gian Marco Luna. The Institute’s presence highlights the ongoing collaboration with the Coast Guard and the strategic synergy built with local authorities and stakeholders. This cooperation aims to combine scientific research on marine heritage with monitoring, environmental protection, and support for the sustainable development of fisheries and the local blue economy. The celebrations continued on October 2nd with the official military ceremony, operational demonstrations at sea, and the inauguration of a historical photographic exhibition dedicated to the evolution of the port and the maritime sector of San Benedetto.

The natural barrier of the Conero Promontory

Posted on15 September 202615 September 2026 byManuela Coci

On Monday, September 7, the first episode of the new season of “Habitat” aired on Rai Scuola. Produced by Rai Cultura, this in-depth program is dedicated to the protection, enhancement, and understanding of the environment and biodiversity.
Titled “La soglia naturale del Conero“, the episode took viewers to discover the extraordinary natural, marine, and historical-archeological heritage of the Conero Promontory (Ancona), placing a strong focus on scientific research activities, including those by the Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM).
Throughout the documentary, IRBIM staff provided a comprehensive overview of the coastal marine ecosystem, biodiversity, alien species, and underwater activities. Key contributions were made by Gian Marco Luna, Luca Bolognini, and researchers Emma Ventura, Martina Scanu, Pierluigi Penna, Luca Montagnini, Daniel Li Veli, and Ernesto Azzurro, who directly participated in the scientific work conducted during filming. The episode also highlighted the close synergy between research and local management, drawing on contributions from other prominent local representatives and experts. Key figures included Marco Zannini, Director of the Conero Park Authority; Filippo Invernizzi, Head of the Park’s Culture and Museum Network Office; Stefano Finocchi, Archaeologist Official at the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Ancona and Pesaro Urbino; and Carla Carloni representing Conero4Seasons.
The complex filming process was conducted aboard Tecnopesca, IRBIM’s research vessel, with support from Michele Sciarra of the CNR Prevention and Protection Unit on board, crew members Giampaolo Gaetani and Antonio Marziali, and personnel from the Harbour Master’s Corps – Coast Guard for their essential assistance at sea.
Federica De Maria and Nicoletta Più of Rai Cultura showcased Conero, its natural beauty, and its relationship with human activity, placing a strong emphasis on the scientific work. The episode is available for streaming on the RaiPlay platform at this link.

Arctic Circle Forum – Polar Dialogue

Posted on5 March 2026 byManuela Coci

Rome, March 3-4, 2026 . The headquarters of the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome hosted the Arctic Circle Rome Forum – Polar Dialogue. This event stands as one of the most prestigious international appointments dedicated to the future of polar regions, bringing together experts and decision-makers from over 35 countries.
Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the CNR, the Forum places Italy at the heart of the global dialogue on the Arctic, Antarctic, and the “Third Pole.” It explores the role of science as geopolitical leverage and international cooperation as a fundamental tool for addressing the challenges of climate change.
The Forum facilitates international scientific cooperation through knowledge exchange between research institutes from various nations, oceanographic expeditions, and cross-border collaborations. High-level representatives from the European Commission (including the Fisheries and Oceans sectors) are participating to emphasize the importance of providing robust scientific data to support political decisions on sustainable ocean management. Throughout the Forum, science diplomacy is developed to champion research at international technical tables where the protection of extreme marine environments is discussed.
The Forum reaffirms that in-depth knowledge of the poles is essential not only for environmental conservation but also for global security and sustainable development. Gian Marco Luna, Director of CNR IRBIM, moderated the session “Arctic Fish: Sentinels of Climate Changes,” organized by colleagues Grazia Marina Quero and Monique Mancuso from the CNR IRBIM offices in Ancona and Messina, respectively.

The project UNDERSEA at Pescare Show

Posted on5 March 20265 March 2026 byManuela Coci

Rimini, February 13, 2026 – On the occasion of the Pescare Show, the international event dedicated to sport fishing and boating, the team from CNR IRBIM in Ancona officially presented new strategies to combat underwater noise pollution as part of the European Interreg Italy-Croatia project, UNDERSEA.
Noise pollution is one of the least visible yet most impactful pressures on marine ecosystems. Noise generated by human activities has direct effects on wildlife, particularly cetaceans, by interfering with their communication and navigation systems.
During the conference “Noise Cleanup: Boaters as Allies of the Interreg UNDERSEA Project Against Marine Noise Pollution,” the project’s innovative approach was illustrated, focusing on the active involvement of citizens and those who experience the sea daily.
Iole Leonori (CNR IRBIM) discussed the nature of underwater noise, identifying its primary sources and explaining how participatory data collection is essential for effective management of the phenomenon in the Adriatic Sea. Greta Di Martino (FishMed PhD student, UniBo-CNR IRBIM) presented a dedicated app for boaters. This technological tool allows users to report useful data, transforming every vessel into a “sentinel” of the marine environment. The meeting was moderated by Alice Pari (Fondazione Cetacea) and featured active participation from Antonio Palermino and Samuele Menicucci (CNR IRBIM).
This initiative represents a virtuous example of how technology, scientific research, and a passion for the sea can converge. Thanks to the contribution of boaters and coastal communities, the UNDERSEA project aims to reduce acoustic impact and ensure a quieter, safer future for marine species.

Activities for the MITICA project

Posted on3 March 20263 March 2026 byManuela Coci

The activities for the MITICA project—Integrated Mussel Farming for Protection, Innovation, and Adaptation Capacity to Climate and Environmental Change—are ongoing between Lesina and Ancona. The project aims to safeguard mussel farming in Taranto, which is currently threatened by marine heatwaves and deoxygenation. Through scientific innovation and advanced monitoring, the project seeks solutions to increase the resilience of mussels to climate change while promoting environmental sustainability and the circular economy in the Mar Piccolo. IRBIM is actively involved in several research lines crucial to the project’s success. Here a summary of the key research actions:
Task 1, Action 1A (Thermal Resistance): Led by R. Carlucci (CONISMA) and A. Miccoli (CNR-IRBIM Ancona), this involves “Heat-Hardening” experiments to study the thermal resistance of mussels.

Task 1, Action 1B (Oxygen Stress): Led by A. Specchiulli (CNR-IRBIM Lesina), this focuses on in vitro experimentation regarding stress induced by oxygen deficiency. The goal is to analyze the effects of hypoxia on Mytilus galloprovincialis, specifically measuring biological responses through oxidative stress biomarkers. The team in Lesina (A. Specchiulli, T. Scirocco, P. Augello, P. Schiavone, C. Sacchetti, and A. D’Amore) prepared tanks for samples collected from Taranto’s Mar Piccolo. After an acclimatization period, the mussels were transported to the laboratory in Orbetello for hypoxic stress testing.

Task 1, Action 3 (Physiological State): Led by A. Spagnolo with Co-representative F. Donato (CNR-IRBIM Ancona), this evaluates the physiological and gonadal status of the animals. Seasonal biological analyses are conducted at the Lesina laboratories to understand how environmental factors influence growth and reproduction, providing essential data for sustainable management.

Task 2, Action 3 (Carbon Sinks): Led by A. Specchiulli with Co-representative T. Scirocco, this investigates the role of bivalves as natural “carbon sinks.” The team studies how climate change affects their calcification capacity and the specific percentage of carbonate ions stored in the shells of mussels under stress

EM4SSF- Project to monitor small-scale fisheries in Europe

Posted on3 March 20263 March 2026 byManuela Coci

February 2026. The EM4SSF project (Enhancing Monitoring for Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries) has reached already few milestones. The initiative aims to improve knowledge of small-scale fisheries (SSF)—a fundamental sector often characterized by limited data—through the integration of advanced geo-spatial technologies and international cooperation.

EM4SSF will focus on five case studies, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, and Greece, through which a common framework for data processing will be promoted. The project will facilitate information exchange between research institutes and regions, aiming to support the adoption of advanced tracking systems in full compliance with the new EU Regulation 2023/2842. To stay updated on the project’s progress, the official project newsletter has been launched.

Cooperation Agreement between the CNR and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Posted on14 November 202514 November 2025 byManuela Coci

The ceremony for the signing of the renewal of the Cooperation Agreement between the CNR and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) was held on September 18, 2025, in Tokyo, at the residence of the Italian Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti. With this renewal, the National Research Council has once again taken significant steps to intensify and internationalize Italian research, consolidating the collaboration with important scientific institutions in Japan. The agreement was signed by the Director of the Department of Chemical Sciences and Materials Technology, Lidia Armelao, representing the CNR President Andrea Lenzi. Among those present were also the Director of the Department of Earth System Science and Environmental Technologies, Francesco Petracchini, and the CNR’s International Relations Office, as well as the Director of IRBIM, Gian Marco Luna. The Scientific Attaché and Ambassador Benedetti opened the ceremony, praising the agreement as an effective tool for promoting research exchanges between our countries and opening new perspectives for the future. Director Armelao recalled how the partnership between CNR and JSPS is a ‘reference partnership,’ founded on crucial values such as mutual respect and the training of young researchers. This appreciation was reiterated by the President of JSPS, Tsuyoshi Sugino, who expressed the hope that the collaboration can further expand in the future. Further solidifying the Italian presence and commitment, another significant bilateral agreement was finalized on the occasion of EXPO 2025 in OSAKA: the one between the CNR and JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology). The agreement for Italy was signed by the Department Director DSSTTA Francesco Petracchini, sealing an important collaboration in the scientific sector. These recent successes testify to the CNR’s constant commitment to the internationalization of research and the support and full participation of IRBIM in these activities.

DSSTTA Conference

Posted on19 June 2025 byManuela Coci

On May 29th and 30th, 2025, the DSSTTA – Department of Earth Science and System and Technologies for the Environment conference took place at the Mole Vanvitelliana in Ancona. The event received logistical support from colleagues at CNR-IRBIM. Organized into two days, under the lead of the new director Francesco Petracchini, the conference was rich with presentations and guests and it brought together approximately 200 departmental colleagues in person, together with the directors of other CNR departments, as well as representatives from institutions and other research bodies. Plenary sessions and discussion panels addressed the most significant challenges facing the department’s future and the research conducted within it. From the future of strategic areas to open and accessible science, the conference facilitated a comparison between generations of researchers. It also delved into the infrastructures and technologies that form the research ecosystem, all within the broader European and international context of major global challenges. IRBIM’s direct involvement was important for the conference’s success, earning praise from the department. Meanwhile, the research Vessel was at the dock of Ancona, giving a chance to several collegues to visit this important DSTTA infrastructure. Below is the link to the Conference page where you can consult the program, the list of speakers and personalities invited to the discussion panels, and the recordings of the two days. Here is the link to the CNR-webtv.

Category: Ancona