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On September 17, 2026, the local branch of the Biodiversity Gateway was inaugurated at the Fano Marine Center, along with the Center’s new research laboratories. The initiative is part of the activities of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) and is funded by the European Union under the NextGenerationEU program and the Ministry of University and Research.
The Biodiversity Gateway is designed as a permanent space open to the public, focused on the protection and enhancement of marine biodiversity. Project coordination is led by the National Research Council (CNR) through the joint action of the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (CNR-IRBIM) and the Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR).
IRBIM plays a key role in the scientific management of the Fano facility and in directing AlienLab—a new educational and multimedia facility equipped with an immersive reality room dedicated to the study and public outreach on marine alien species, integrated into the offerings of the DIDAMAR hub.

The ceremony opened with institutional greetings delivered by the Rector of the University of Bologna Giovanni Molari, the President of the CNR Andrea Lenzi, the Mayor of Fano Luca Serfilippi, the President of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station Roberto Bassi, the President of the NBFC Luigi Fiorentino, the Research Delegate of the Polytechnic University of Marche Francesco Regoli, the Deputy Vice-Rector of the University of Urbino Vieri Fusi, the Vice President of the Marche Region Enrico Rossi, and the Director of GALPA Marche Uriano Meconi.. The program of technical presentations continued with scientific talks by Federica Foglini (CNR-ISMAR), focusing on the Gateway’s digital structure; Sarah Pizzini (CNR-IRBIM and FMC), covering the content of the Fano facility and AlienLab; and Federico Foschi (University of Bologna), Sole Project Manager for the realization of the laboratories.. The event concluded with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and a guided tour of the new laboratories and the immersive reality room for officials and the public.. Here the link to the event program

ANCONA – On Monday, August 24, the new oceanographic buoy DORY was deployed, installed one mile off the coast near the Portonovo Tower and positioned at a depth of approximately 12 meters. The coordinates are Latitude 43.567830° N, Longitude 13.599020° E. The project stems from an intense scientific collaboration between the CNR-IRBIM of Ancona and the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences of the Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM), with contributions from the Municipality of Ancona, the Marche Region, and the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and Marche (IZSUM). The buoy was manufactured in Italy, weighs around one ton, and is valued at over 180,000 euros funded by the Marche Region. This equipment operates in synergy with UNIVPM’s recent Portonovo Lab. The buoy represents the fourth node of the Marche coastal monitoring network managed by CNR-IRBIM, joining those already active in Fano, Senigallia, and Porto Recanati.
Every 20 minutes, DORY records and transmits a wide range of crucial met-ocean data: marine parameters such as water temperature, salinity, conductivity, density, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, wave and current speed and direction; meteorological parameters such as wind speed and direction, humidity, and atmospheric conditions. The buoy is also equipped with a high-definition video camera for continuous acquisition of images and video of the area.
The need for this infrastructure emerged from the Technical Committee established by the Municipality of Ancona to address the crisis facing Portonovo’s wild mussels (mosciolo selvatico). In a summer marked by sharp temperature increases in Adriatic waters, DORY will make it possible to correlate the health status of mussels and biodiversity with the physical and chemical variations of the water. The deployment and activation of the buoy involved the joint commitment of technical and scientific staff from CNR-IRBIM and UNIVPM, in particular the technical head of IRBIM Observational Infrastructures, engineer Pierluigi Penna, and IRBIM colleagues Fabrizio Moro and Giordano Giuliani.
CNR-IRBIM Director Gian Marco Luna stated in this regard: “We are facing a paradigm shift: we must move from a reactive to a proactive approach, monitoring parameters to anticipate emergencies rather than chasing them.” The Rector of the Polytechnic University of Marche, Enrico Quagliarini, emphasized that: “Research and monitoring are the keywords of this historic day for the region. This synergy between institutions, the University, and the CNR will provide concrete responses to the effects of climate change.” The Mayor of Ancona, Daniele Silvetti, also expressed satisfaction with the deployment of the buoy: “This was a primary goal we set for ourselves to protect our wild mussel (mosciolo selvatico). DORY is the concrete result of collaboration between the scientific community and the local administration.”
One of the main innovations of the DORY buoy concerns data transparency and accessibility. The measurements will not be reserved solely for researchers, but will be accessible in real time to all citizens, boaters, and beachgoers by connecting to the CNR-IRBIM web portal under the “Meteo-Marine Observation Network” section. As highlighted by Prof. Francesco Regoli, Director of the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences at UNIVPM, public access to environmental data represents a fundamental step not only for scientific research, but also for raising collective awareness toward the protection of our sea.

The summer of 2026 recorded extreme climate conditions, with repeated and prolonged heatwaves that brought record temperatures not only to the atmosphere, but also to the depths of our seas. The Mediterranean Sea is facing a severe thermal crisis, whose ecological and economic consequences require constant monitoring and strategies based on solid scientific evidence.

To track the evolution of these phenomena and understand their long-term dynamics, the work of the Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies of the National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM) is crucial. Through measurement infrastructure and observation networks distributed across the region—such as the oceanographic buoy con located off the coast of Senigallia—CNR-IRBIM researchers, including engineer Pierluigi Penna, constantly monitor the thermal response of the sea. These instruments allow for measuring the inertia with which the sea absorbs atmospheric heat and cross-referencing local data with European models from the Copernicus program, providing an essential knowledge base for assessing the impacts of global warming.

Analyses show that the continuous rise in sea temperatures is profoundly altering the balance of the Mediterranean. In the Adriatic Sea, water temperatures neared 28 °C in June, exceeded 29 °C in July off the coast of Fano, and reached a record threshold of 30 °C in mid-August off Senigallia—a value not recorded since 2012. This warming generates a major ecological impact: die-offs of species unable to move are being recorded, along with mass migrations of fish toward deeper or cooler areas and a progressive colonization by alien species of tropical origin.

On the impact of heatwaves and ocean management, the Director of CNR-IRBIM, Gian Marco Luna, emphasized the imperative need to place scientific research at the center of every political and economic decision: “The ecological transition cannot be addressed without deep scientific knowledge of the Mediterranean Sea. Only through data, long-term monitoring, and research will it be possible to sustainably manage marine resources, understand the effects of climate change, and guide the blue economy toward a more resilient and competitive future. Science must be the compass that allows the challenges of climate change to be transformed into opportunities for sustainable development for the sea, fisheries, and coastal communities.

During the MEDIAS 2026 research campaign in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea On board of the motor vessel “G. Dallaporta” in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, a major recovery of a 4-ton ghost net was carried out by researchers from the Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies of the National Research Council (CNR IRBIM). In the waters off Termini Imerese (Palermo), the pelagic net used for biological sampling accidentally intercepted a massive, abandoned driftnet. The abandoned fishing gear had turned into an insidious “ghost net” and had trapped several fish in an advanced state of decomposition. The operation to separate the scientific fishing net from the ghost net and haul the latter aboard required significant physical effort.
The phenomenon ofghost fishing) e dell’inquinamento marino ad esso collegato rappresenta una seria minaccia per la biodiversità marina: gli attrezzi dispersi o abbandonati continuano infatti a catturare fauna anche senza il controllo dell’uomo, innescando un ciclo continuo di catture successive e danneggiando habitat vulnerabili quali fondali rocciosi, praterie di fanerogame e coralligeno”, spiega il direttore IRBIM Gian Marco Luna. Nel Mar Mediterraneo questo problema è particolarmente rilevante per via dell’intensa attività ittica e della presenza di specie protette o vulnerabili, tra cui tartarughe, cetacei ed elasmobranchi. L’intervento del team CNR IRBIM si inserisce nel costante impegno dell’Istituto per la tutela e la conservazione del mare e si collega alle iniziative di sensibilizzazione sull’inquinamento da plastica e sulla protezione delle risorse marine come “Mediterraneo da remare”, orientate all’obiettivo di salvaguardare almeno il 30% dei mari entro il 2030. “Le dimensioni della rete derivante erano tali da occupare gran parte della zona di poppa necessaria per le attività di campionamento: è stato, quindi, necessario interrompere il survey e procedere allo sbarco della rete presso il porto più vicino attrezzato per lo smaltimento dei rifiuti speciali, ovvero Palermo”, ha dichiarato il ricercatore del CNR-IRBIM Angelo Bonanno, presente a bordo durante la missione. In accordo con la società Finship, armatrice dell’imbarcazione, la motonave ha temporaneamente sospeso i campionamenti e affidato la rete a una ditta specializzata e contracted for proper disposal. The MEDIAS (Mediterranean International Acoustic Survey) campaign is conducted within Geographical Subarea 10 and is part of the National Data Collection Program for Fisheries under EU Regulation No. 1004/2017. 1004/2017. The activities involve acquiring acoustic and biological data using pelagic trawls to estimate the biomass and spatial distribution of small pelagic species of high commercial interest, particularly European anchovies(Engraulis encrasicolus) and European sardines (Sardina pilchardus)). The IRBIM research team active aboard the M/V “G. Dallaporta” consisted of Angelo Bonanno, Simona Genovese, and Giovanni Giacalone (CNR-IRBIM), supported by three PhD students and three students from the University of Messina. Further information has been published by the CNR press office and on social media channels.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The Presidency of the Council of Ministers hosted the presentation of the 12th Report on Bioeconomy in Europe, titled “Bioeconomy for Growth and Resilience”. The document, prepared by the Intesa Sanpaolo Research Department in collaboration with the SPRING Cluster, highlights a rapidly expanding sector that is becoming increasingly strategic for the ecological transition. In 2025, the European bioeconomy generated as much as 3,174 billion euros (accounting for 8.8% of the EU economy) and employed 17 million people. Within this scenario, Italy ranks third in Europe for both turnover and employment, trailing only Germany and France. According to the report, the sector serves as a powerful engine for development, particularly for rural and coastal areas, as it generates over 10% of Italy’s GDP and 8% of national employment.
Prof. Andrea Lenzi, President of the National Research Council, emphasized how the bioeconomy enhances national biodiversity by transforming residues and resources into bio-based products and clean energy. Prof. Fabio Fava, Coordinator of the National Coordination Group for Bioeconomy (GCNB), underscored the report’s value as a compass for institutions and the research community. Concluding the session, the Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, highlighted how the sector has become a geopolitical lever for resilience, crucial for reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.
The event also provided a prominent showcase for the sustainable management of marine resources. The findings and guidelines of the Blue Bioeconomy Working Group on “Uses of Marine Space” were presented, enriched by an address from the Director of CNR-IRBIM, Gian Marco Luna. To ensure a fair and sustainable use of marine space in support of the sector’s supply chains, the Working Group proposed establishing a Transdisciplinary Center. This center will capitalize on the experience and outcomes of the MSP4BIODIVERSITY project, funded under Spoke 2 of the PNRR NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center). Alongside this initiative, four strategic pilot supply chains with high potential for replicability and scalability across the country were identified: oyster farming in Sardinia, seaweed cultivation in Puglia, small-scale fisheries in Sicily, and tailored professional training activities for operators in the sector.
Further details can be found in the CNR press release. The full text of the 12th Report is available for reading here: The Bioeconomy in Europe.

Rome, May 14, 2026. The award ceremony for the prestigious FEE Blue Flags 2026 was held at the CNR Headquarters in Rome. A total of 257 Italian coastal municipalities and tourist marinas received the 2026 Blue Flag from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), marking a positive growth with eleven more awards compared to last year. The official ceremony at the Conference Hall of the National Research Council was attended by the mayors of the awarded locations, the President of the FEE Italia foundation Claudio Mazza, and the Minister of Tourism, Gianmarco Mazzi.
Representing the institution at the event was Gian Marco Luna, Director of the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (CNR IRBIM). In his speech, he shared greetings from the President of the CNR, Prof. Andrea Lenzi, and the Director of the CNR Department DSSTTA , Dr. Francesco Petracchini. He highlighted the role of the National Research Council, through its institutes dedicated to marine sciences, as one of the most important marine research networks in the country and the entire Mediterranean. In fact, through its institutes operating in all fields of marine science, the CNR carries out crucial daily work to understand the changes affecting our seas and to provide concrete knowledge and tools to institutions, local areas, and communities.
“We turn scientific knowledge into operational support for the country. Today, research is no longer locked inside laboratories. Research must engage in a dialogue with local territories, municipalities, businesses, and national and European institutions,” stated the Director of CNR IRBIM. “It must help policymakers make better decisions based on data, evidence, and a long-term vision. This is why moments like this are so important. The Blue Flag represents a successful example of how local administrations, citizens, and the scientific community can work together toward common goals.”
“Italy has all the skills to become a European model for sustainable marine and coastal management. We have extraordinary scientific professionalism, capable local administrations, a unique maritime tradition, and a biodiversity that the world envies. But we must continue to invest in research and knowledge. Above all, without a culture of the sea, there is no future for a country like ours. My special thanks also go to all the women and men in scientific research, at the CNR and beyond, who often work away from the spotlight, but with a huge impact on the country’s future.”

The Blue Flag recognition rewards beauty of the beauty of landscape, but it also certifies a structured and measurable path of environmental excellence. During the complex evaluation phase carried out by the Commission according to a strict procedural scheme, several institutional bodies, including the CNR, provided their technical contribution. Further information can be found on the CNR news page, and the detailed list is available on the official FEE Blue Flag program page.

From October 5 to 9, 2026, the CNR headquarters in Capo Granitola (TP) will host the Taxonomic Training School dedicated to megazoobenthic species that serve as indicators of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) in the Mediterranean. This highly specialized event is aimed at students, early-career researchers, and professionals in the marine sector, with the goal of strengthening skills in taxonomic identification and deep-sea habitat monitoring.

The course, organized by the Zoobenthos Working Group of CNR-IRBIM, offers an intensive program combining lectures, laboratory activities, and field demonstrations. Key objectives include improving the quality of taxonomic data and enhancing understanding of the ecological role of species that act as VME indicators.

The program includes sessions on the main taxonomic groups of Mediterranean megabenthos—Porifera, Echinodermata, Cnidaria, Mollusca, and Brachiopoda—led by experts from national universities and research institutes. Significant attention will also be given to sampling methodologies, data collection protocols, and the analysis of images and specimens in the laboratory, as well as field activities focused on megabenthos sampling techniques.

Participation is limited to a maximum of 25 participants, with applications open until June 30, 2026. To apply, candidates must complete the online form and submit a CV and a motivation letter.

A valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and contribute to the conservation of deep Mediterranean marine ecosystems.

On 31 March, the National Coordination Meeting and the plenary session of the National Work Programme for Fishery Data Collection (PLNRDA) for 2026 were held in Rome, in the Conference Hall of the National Research Council (CNR).

The PLNRDA is a programme funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF) through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and is implemented by a Temporary Grouping of Companies consisting of CNR, CIBM, CoNISMA, COISPA, NISEA, OCEANIS, FEDERPESCA R&S, AGER, RETEMARE, and UNIMAR, coordinated by CNR-IRBIM as the lead institution.

Through PLNRDA, MASAF fulfills the obligations under the Data Collection Framework (DCF) Regulation, which governs the collection of fisheries and aquaculture data within the European Union.

About 180 people attended the meeting, with 130 participants on site and 50 joining via streaming, representing the partners of the Temporary Grouping of Companies and other interested institutions. The MASAF delegation included Director General Graziella Romito and National Correspondent Maria Vittoria Briscolini; from the European Commission, Raluca Ivanescu, Head of Unit DG MARE C3; from the FAO-GFCM Mediterranean Fisheries Commission, Elisabetta Morello, Senior Fishery Officer; and from CNR, Gian Marco Luna, Director of the Institute of Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (CNR-IRBIM), and Francesco Petracchini, Director of the Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies.

The meeting lasted the entire day, concluding around 17:00. Numerous presentations covered various aspects of the PLNRDA, from biological sampling to experimental fishing campaigns at sea, reporting the main activities carried out in 2025, those currently ongoing in 2026, and proposing potential activities for the coming years. The meeting was conducted mainly in English to facilitate the participation of European Commission officials.

From 24 to 27 March 2026, the city of Venice will host the first edition of the International Symposium – Transformative Ocean Science, an event of international significance organised by CNR ISMAR, DSSTTA and IRBIM, in collaboration with leading national and international marine research partners.
The event has been conceived in response to the growing need to translate scientific knowledge into concrete action, placing at its core the new European vision of The Ocean Pact, the European strategy dedicated to the future of our oceans.
The Symposium serves as a high‑level forum bringing together scientific communities, research institutions, policymakers and international organisations to discuss how ocean science must evolve in order to address the most pressing environmental and societal challenges. Its aim is to explore how science, ethics and innovation can work together to make the sustainability of our blue planet truly operational and to contribute to the implementation of the Ocean Pact.

The Symposium comprises three invitation‑only days during which discussions among participants revolve around three fundamental pillars: the first is dedicated to Transformative Sciencereflecting on the role of research in reconciling economic development, ethical responsibility and environmental balance, so as to foster a form of science capable of producing tangible change and influencing political decision‑making and the management of marine resources. Beyond the boundaries of researchwhich explores the new scientific frontiers and interdisciplinary approaches required to fully implement the European Union’s Ocean Pact. From knowledge to action,which focuses the activities on developing concrete tools to guide the future of ocean governance, including a Strategic Roadmap to define strategic priorities and areas of collaborative research, a Policy Brief with key recommendations for the European Commission, the European Parliament and international partners, and a White Paper dedicated to Transformative Ocean Science and the contribution of the Ocean Pact. The fourth day, on 27 March, is open to the public: it is possible to register for on‑site participation via a dedicated form or follow the event remotely through a dedicated link, which will be published on this page.

The Symposium’s Scientific Committee brings together leading figures in the international marine research landscape, representing research institutions, universities and European as well as global organisations. Led by Mario Sprovieri, Director of CNR‑ISMAR, the Committee includes experts in physical and biological oceanography, Earth observation, applied ethics, technological innovation, ocean governance and climate change; the Director of IRBIM, Gian Marco Luna, is also a member.
The Committee’s extensive experience in international strategic programmes, oceanographic missions, research infrastructures and European initiatives such as the Ocean & Waters Mission and the Ocean Pact ensures an authoritative, interdisciplinary and concrete scientific oversight, strengthening the promotion of Transformative Ocean Science.
As a co‑organiser, IRBIM anticipates the participation of Fabio Campanella, Valentina Lauria, Andrea Miccoli e Emanuela Fanelli who will act as rapporteurs throughout the event; however, the involvement extends to the entire scientific community, which will be able to contribute reflections and content through a dedicated form. The estimated time required for completion is approximately 50 minutes, the submission deadline is 30 April, and the designated contact person is Dr Elena Gissi (CNR ISMAR).

 

December 2025. Renovation work has begun on the historic former Fincantieri building, destined to become the new headquarters of the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (CNR IRBIM) in Ancona. With a total investment of 7.2 million euros, the project will transform the Fincantieri building into the new IRBIM facility. The architectural project, designed by Simone Subissati Architects, won the prestigious “The Plan” award in 2022 and was selected to represent Italian excellence at the Italy Pavilion of the 2025 Venice Biennale. The new headquarters will feature: modern laboratories and advanced technological infrastructure to enhance marine research; a 90-seat conference hall designed as a multi-purpose space open to the public for cultural and educational events; and a strengthened historical and operational link between the scientific community, the port, and the city. Director Gian Marco Luna stated that “the new headquarters will be a strategic hub for international research and an essential reference point for the Blue Economy,” while the head of the Ancona office, Luca Bolognini, emphasized the importance of restoring value to a historic building by placing it at the service of the sea’s future. The realization of this project was made possible thanks to funding from the MEF and MUR Ministries and close institutional collaboration with the Central Adriatic Sea Port Authority, the Coast Guard, and the Municipality of Ancona. Further details can be found at the following links:

• ANSA.it – New place withing two years
• CentroPagina – New place for IRBIM
• Il Resto del Carlino – For a better research
• Il Nautilus