Senior CNR researcher since 2001. Since 1986, he has coordinated the activities of the research line “aquaculture” as a field manager, focusing his scientific activity on problems related to the breeding of marine fish species of interest for diversification into aquaculture, and the interactions between aquaculture and the environment. Head (RUOS) of the IAMC section in Messina from 2007 to 2017. Member of the Scientific Council of the Experimental Thalassographic Institute of CNR – Messina as an elected representative of the staff, from 1990 to 1994. Chairman of the SIBM aquaculture committee in 2004. Since 2016 Member of the Animal Welfare Body (OPBA). Responsible for modules and orders since 2006 and for numerous national and regional research projects. Scientific activity is documented in more than 100 titles including papers published in journals, conference proceedings and technical reports. He also presented papers on topics of interest to aquaculture at conferences, workshops and scientific seminars. He has collaborated with various universities and research institutes.
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.
