My scientific activity is mainly carried out within national and international programs for the monitoring of fishing activities and the collection and analysis of biological data on demersal species in the Mediterranean Sea, both with direct (experimental trawling campaigns) and indirect methods (biological sampling of commercial catches and waste). Such research is useful to support decision making in sustainable fisheries management, resource conservation and spatial management of the marine space. In particular, I deal with the following topics: the study of the spatio-temporal dynamics of marine fish resources in relation to environmental factors and fishing activities, in light of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management; identification of recruitment areas (nurseries) and reproduction (spawning areas) (essential habitats); processes of larval dispersal and connectivity of marine populations; models to support decision making on spatial measures of fisheries management, resource and habitat conservation and marine spatial planning. I am author/co-author of 61 scientific articles published in international ISI impact Factor journals, 7 book chapters (peer-reviewed) with national or international distribution, 21 articles published in national or international non-ISI journals (peer-reviewed), more than 70 Technical-Scientific Reports and non-peer-reviewed articles.
To provide key information on the biodiversity and marine ecosystems of the Central Mediterranean Sea - Strait of Sicily, the ecosystem services provided, human activities and pressures due to humans and climate change.
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.