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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

A Napoli, 1 e 2 dicembre 2025, si è tenuto il meeting finale dei membri dello Spoke 2 del National Biodiversity Future Center.  Ospitato presso la storica Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn e il Museo Darwin-Dohrn (DaDoM), grazie all’organizzazione della collega Teresa Maugeri, l‘evento ha rappresentato un momento cruciale per la sintesi e la discussione dei risultati ottenuti nell’ambito delle attività di ricerca dello Spoke 2 dedicato al mare. Ricercatori ed esperti riuniti hanno presentato i progressi scientifici e discusso le possibili strategie future per  il proseguimento delle attività nel raggiungimento dell’obiettivo principale ovvero la conservazione della biodiversità marina e costiera. I lavori sono stati aperti con i saluti istituzionali del Presidente della Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Roberto Bassi, seguiti dall’intervento del Direttore Scientifico NBFC, Massimo Labra, che ha sottolineato l’importanza strategica del centro per il futuro della biodiversità nazionale. La prima sessione ha visto una ricca discussione sull’integrazione della conservazione della biodiversità nella Pianificazione dello Spazio Marittimo (MSP). Emiliano Ramieri (CNR ISMAR) ha illustrato come lo strumento MSP4BDIOVERSITY possa integrare operativamente la conservazione della biodiversità nel contesto MSP a cui sono seguiti gli interventi di Alessandro Mulazzani (CNR ISMAR) sulla co-creazione e analisi integrata degli scenari MareFuturo 2040; Monica Gambino (CNR ISMED) sull’analisi dei valori di mercato e non di mercato in un contesto di MSP; Gemma Andreone (CNR ISGI) sull’analisi degli elementi giuridici e di governance e Maddalena Masiero (CORILA) sulla proposta di un centro transdisciplinare per la MSP. La sessione dedicata all’Activity 1.2 si è concentrata sulla valutazione delle priorità degli inquinanti emergenti nel Mediterraneo e i loro rischi tossicologici. Francesco Regoli (UNIVPM) ha presentato una panoramica sulla distribuzione e sui rischi tossicologici multilivello degli inquinanti emergenti; Alessandro Nardi (UNIVPM) ha proposto una rivalutazione del rischio di glifosato e dei suoi prodotti di degradazione per la biota marina, suggerendo l’adozione di saggi a lungo termine e rilevanti per i cambiamenti climatici; Miriam Ruocco (UNIBO) ha discusso la suscettibilità alla perdita di biodiversità mediata dall’inquinamento e le interazioni tra inquinanti marini e l’acidificazione degli oceani. A seguire l’approfondimento sull’Activity 1.1, focalizzata sul valore della biodiversità e della salute degli ecosistemi per una pesca più sostenibile. Sono intervenuti Luca Bolognini e  Anna Nora Tassetti CNR IRBIM), evidenziato l’importanza di riconoscere il valore della biodiversità e della salute dell’ecosistema per una pesca più sostenibile.A seguire, Pietro Battaglia (SZN) ha presentato due contributi: uno sull’approccio integrato per lo studio della biodiversità e della rete trofica pelagica e un altro su pesca ricreativa, biodiversità e molluschi cefalopodi. Carlotta Mazzoldi (UNIPD) ha affrontato le interazioni tra pesca ricreativa ed elasmobranchi, discutendo impatti e opportunità; Jacopo Di Stefano (UNITN) ha illustrato gli strumenti per il monitoraggio e la gestione della pesca ricreativa. La sessione finale ha riguardato l’Activity 5 con la sintesi dei risultati ad opera d Luigi Vezzulli (UNIGE) che ha fornito la sintesi dei risultati ottenuti nell’ambito di A5; Diana Sarno (SZN) ha parlato della transizione dalla ricerca a lungo termine alla creazione di una rete di osservatori omici italiani; Lapo Doni (UNIGE) ha presentato il Portale degli Osservatori Omici Marini. A seguire la Poster Sessione e la  Social Dinner presso l’Acquario Storico SZN Anton Dohrn.

##☀️ Secondo Giorno: 2 Dicembre 2025 – Museo Darwin-Dohrn (DaDoM)Il secondo giorno si è spostato al DaDoM, concentrandosi sui temi della resilienza e del ripristino degli ecosistemi.

###♻️ Ripristino e Sostenibilità: Activity 2L’**Activity 2 (9:00-9:45)** ha esaminato la sostenibilità del ripristino degli habitat marini:

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**Silvia Bianchelli (UNIVPM)** ha presentato la sintesi dei risultati del progetto MARES.

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**Erica Gagliano (UNIGE)** ha illustrato l’uso della Valutazione del Ciclo di Vita (*Life Cycle Assessment – LCA*) per misurare e monitorare le prestazioni di sostenibilità del ripristino.

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**Francesca Ruggeri (UNIGE)** ha approfondito il tema della contabilità ambientale nel ripristino degli habitat marini.

 

A seguire, il **SAVEMAR Consortium** ha fornito aggiornamenti sullo stato di avanzamento delle proprie attività **(9:45-10:15)**. Dopo un’altra pausa caffè **(10:15-10:45)**, i lavori sono proseguiti con l’**Activity 3**.

###💻 Dati e Infrastrutture: Activity 3L’**Activity 3 (10:45-11:30)** si è focalizzata sulla gestione e sull’analisi dei dati:

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**Alessio Bonaldo (UNIBO)**, con i task leader, ha presentato la sintesi dei risultati delle Task 1-5.

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**Marco Giovine (UNIGE)** ha riassunto i risultati della Task 6.

 

##➡️ Conclusioni e Prospettive FutureLa fase finale del meeting ha incluso una discussione e aggiornamenti generali sullo stato di avanzamento del progetto NBFC, con gli interventi di **Gian Marco Luna** e **Mariachiara Chiantore (11:30-12:00)**.

Un momento di interesse è stata la proiezione di un documentario SZN Spoke 2 – Activity 1-2 **(12:00-12:20)**, a cura di Roberto Rinaldi, Edizione GG Productions.

Infine, sono stati organizzati **gruppi di lavoro separati per Activity (12:20-13:00)** per discutere il *follow-up*, concentrandosi sulla preparazione di *paper* congiunti e nuove progettualità. I saluti e la chiusura dei lavori sono avvenuti alle ore **13:00**.

Il successo del meeting finale consolida il ruolo di NBFC Spoke 2 come catalizzatore di conoscenza e azione per la tutela della biodiversità marina, ponendo le basi per future collaborazioni e impatti scientifici e ambientali.

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Questo articolo ha fornito un resoconto completo e discorsivo degli eventi. Ti piacerebbe che approfondissi una delle attività di ricerca o che modificassi il tono dell’articolo?

It is with profound sadness that the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) and the entire scientific community bid farewell to Professor Serena Fonda Umani, former Full Professor at the University of Trieste. Her passing leaves a significant void in the national and international marine research landscape, and in all those who had the honor of knowing and collaborating with her.
Professor Fonda Umani was a scientist of exceptional expertise and undisputed renown in the field of Marine Microbial Ecology. Her dedication to scientific inquiry led her to become one of the early female pioneers in Italian oceanography, embarking on expeditions that saw her operating from the Mediterranean Sea to Antarctica.
Beyond her prolific scientific contributions, Professor Fonda Umani served as a cornerstone for the entire community. Her conduct was always marked by loyalty, integrity, and professional ethics—qualities that enriched every workplace and made her a role model for future generations. Only a few months ago, the scientific community had the privilege of paying tribute to her with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Biodiversity Forum organized by the NBFC – National Biodiversity Future Center in Milan.
In this moment of grief, IRBIM wishes to remember her through her own words and passion, sharing this interview given a few years ago. In it, she speaks with clarity and love about the beauty of being a marine biologist and the crucial importance of studying the ‘infinitely small’ within our seas and oceans.

On November 20, 2025, the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) gathered experts, institutions, and political representatives in Rome at the MAXXI – National Museum of 21st Century Arts for the conference “ISPRA: the Sea for the common well-being.”
The event took place in the MAXXI Auditorium, offering a splendid setting and reinforcing the thematic link with the marine environment. The day was also developed from the collaboration born for the creation of the installation “ENTRATE: Nacho Carbonell, Memory, in practice” which welcomed participants and Museum visitors, and in which nets recovered from the Mediterranean and tree trunks find a second artistic life.
The conference was structured into five thematic sessions: knowing the state of health of the seas, protecting biodiversity, the blue economy, the One Health principle, and communicating the sea. It offered a fundamental platform for defining shared strategies for a sustainable future for our Mediterranean. The conclusions were entrusted to Luigi Ricci, ISPRA’s Director.
IRBIM was a protagonist in two key moments of the day, testifying to its commitment to research and dissemination. The Director, Gian Marco Luna, took part in the panel titled “Blue Economy: sustainability and innovation for the future of the sea.” The debate focused on crucial topics such as fishing, aquaculture, bioeconomy, renewable energy, and climate, underscoring the role of scientific research in guiding the sustainable growth of economic activities linked to the sea.
Furthermore, Prof. Donato Giovannelli of the University of Naples Federico II, an IRBIM associate, spoke during the panel dedicated to communication, aptly called “Communicating the Sea.” The panel, moderated by Donatella Bianchi (RAI), focused attention on scientific communication and environmental education for the Sea, highlighting how dissemination is fundamental for raising citizen awareness on the themes of protecting and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.

The National Research Council (CNR) participated in and sponsored the XIV Edition of the China-Italy Science, Technology and Innovation Week, an internationally recognized event that took place from November 13 to 15, 2025, in the cities of Beijing and Hangzhou. The event confirmed its status as a consolidated model for boosting innovation and building a sustainable future together between the two countries. This edition held particular significance, falling in the year of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and China, an occasion that underscores their cooperation founded on shared growth and cultural exchange. The centrality of institutional dialogue was further reinforced by the Action Plan for Strengthening the Italy-China Global Strategic Partnership 2024–2027, with the aim of boosting relations between the research and innovation systems to enhance national excellence. The event, promoted in Italy by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and coordinated by the IDIS Foundation-Città della Scienza, was organized by the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and the Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park, in collaboration with the International Technology Transfer Network. he Week was inaugurated on Thursday, November 13, in Beijing with an Institutional Ceremony attended by the Italian Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Yin Hejun. This official moment culminated in the signing of Cooperation Agreements between institutions, universities, research bodies, and companies from the two countries, designed to launch new joint projects. Subsequently, the day continued with thematic sessions focused on Advanced Manufacturing, Ethics and Law of Artificial Intelligence, and Life and Health Sciences, followed by One-to-One meetings and visits to Research Centers and Laboratories. The activities moved to Hangzhou for the day of Friday, November 14, where the focus shifted to key themes such as Cultural Heritage Preservation and Artificial Intelligence, Tropical Agriculture, and, particularly, Marine and Polar Sciences, which include biodiversity and climate change. The forum dedicated to Marine and Polar Sciences represented a significant moment for the Italian research system, with the participation of prominent figures from various institutions. Among the Italian speakers present, Roberto Bassi, President of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, presented “Italian Research in Marine Biology.” The CNR contributed with a presentation by Gian Marco Luna, Director of the Institute of Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, on the “Frontiers and challenges of marine biological research in the 21st century,” and with an intervention by Luca Bolognini on experiences related to the “Value of Biodiversity and Health of Marine Ecosystems” for the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC). The polar dimension was addressed by the Director of the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, Fausto Ferraccioli, who updated participants on “Recent Italian contributions to polar research.” The XIV China-Italy Week concluded on Saturday, November 15, with visits and experiences dedicated to traditional Chinese craftsmanship and intangible cultural heritage, thus consolidating the link between scientific innovation and cultural enhancement.

The National Research Council – Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (CNR-IRBIM) in Mazara del Vallo and Ancona has recently completed the operational phase of a project carried out in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).

In light of the indications contained in GFCM Recommendation 42/2018/5, which emphasizes the need to identify and develop measures aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of bottom trawling on the juveniles of the main commercial species, the initiative is finalized for the identification and experimentation of innovative technical solutions for the reduction of by-catch and unwanted catches in multi-species trawling in the Strait of Sicily, contributing to the conservation of marine biological resources and the promotion of sustainable fishing practices.

In this context, two experimental studies were conducted in GSA 16 (Southern Sicily) in the spring of 2023 and the summer of 2025. The experimental activities at sea concerned two species of high commercial value, Merluccius merluccius (European hake) and Parapenaeus longirostris (deep-water rose shrimp), both managed under a GFCM multiannual plan and currently considered at risk of overexploitation.

The sea trials were conducted using three different commercial vessels, characterized by the same technical specifications and operating in parallel, during the same period and in the same fishing area. Each unit employed a different net configuration: a standard commercial net, used as a control; a net equipped with a selection grid for the juveniles of the two species; and a net called “T90” characterized by the meshes of a commercial net rotated by 90° compared to the traditional rhomboidal meshes. The three systems were used simultaneously to compare the abundance and composition of the catches between the commercial net and the selective devices.

On board the three vessels, CNR-IRBIM researchers Vincenzo Garozzo, Michele Luca Geraci, Khalil Besbes, Giacomo Sardo, Andrea Petetta, and Giorgio Vianson conducted sampling activities and quantitative and qualitative analysis of the catches, with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of the different systems in reducing the capture of juvenile specimens and non-target species.

Underwater filming of the selection grids was also carried out in order to evaluate the vitality of the hake and other commercial species, as part of the analysis on the post-capture survival rate.

The project, financed by the European Union, represents a continuation of the regional cooperation initiatives promoted by the GFCM( General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean), aimed at fostering increasingly selective, sustainable, and responsible fishing. More information is available at the following link:
https://www.fao.org/gfcm/news/detail/en/c/1641477/