Antonello Sala
Director of Research

Senior fisheries scientist with more than 35 years of experience studying the wider ecosystem effects of fishing on the marine environment at the National Research Council (CNR). Expert knowledge of physical and biological impacts in the marine environment produced by human activities, as well as impacts and operations of global fisheries, including marine litter, efficiency and selectivity of fishing gears, performance of fishing gears using underwater instrumentation, fishing gear design and modelling, and energy saving measures in fisheries operations. Lead scientist in numerous international research projects (>20) and national projects (>30). Chief scientist in more than 40 interdisciplinary oceanographic sea cruises. In 2024, Lead Technical Advisor for The University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago) on the GEF project “Strategies, technologies, and social solutions to manage bycatch in tropical Large Marine Ecosystem Fisheries (REBYC-III CLME+)”. Since 2014, external statistical expert for the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA). From 2020-2022, fishing technology consultant (COF.REG) in the Fishing Technology and Operations (NFIFO) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Author of numerous peer reviewed publications (97) and holder of 3 patents pending. Member on the editorial board of the Scientific Data (Nature), Frontiers in Marine Science (Associate Editor), Open Journal of Marine Science, Journal of Ocean Technology, Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, and Journal of Agricultural Science and Applications. From 2020 to 2024, chairperson of the ICES/FAO Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour (WGFTFB). In 2020 and 2023, chair of the ICES Workshop of Innovative gear (WKING, WKING2). From 2010 to 2019, member and vice-chair (in 2018-2019) of the EU-STECF Committee (European Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries).