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

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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