Biologist since 1991, I spent almost all of the first 10 years of my career to gain experience, between trawl fishing campaigns (trawl survey), some in-depth study on artisanal fishing (mail tools and fish aggregating devices) and analysis of commercial trawl discards. Over the years I began to look at the world of fishing from a new perspective, closer to the needs of the fishers, and therefore to the study of the resources that can be fished; I also joined the interest in the enhancement of the catch. As a technologist, I have coordinated several research groups (and projects) with the aim of developing new products and technologies to improve the quality and traceability of fish and crustaceans. I also had roles of responsibility and management. Among these, in 2017 I was appointed head of the IAMC CNR headquarters in Mazara del Vallo and continued to play this role also later following his transition to IRBIM. I am co-author of about 140 works (including articles published in international scientific journals, communications at workshops, congresses, national and international meetings and technical reports), reviewer for several international scientific journals (Food Chemistry, LWT-Food Science and Technology, Food Control, Frontiers in Nutrition, Jounal of Food Science, Marine Policy etc.), MIUR and MISE project evaluator.
Supporting political and operational decisions in the fisheries sector in order to contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems and the economic well-being of the communities involved
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.