CNR IRBIM is a partner in a Temporary Partnership coordinated by the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station with the University of Naples Federico II, the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, the University of Sannio, the University of Suor Orsola Benincasa the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), to implement the project under a collaboration agreement with the Campania Region. This EMFF-funded project aims to achieve the “Maritime Spatial Planning” as envisaged in Directive No. 2014/89/EU, to promote the sustainable development of maritime economies and the blue economy. For this purpose, all major Public Research Institutions and Universities in Campania are providing their knowledge of the coastal and marine environment to produce a concise view on use constraints, ecosystem functioning, touristic and military use concessions, navigation routes, suitability for human activities based on ecological characteristics, and healthiness of natural resources and environment for mariculture activities. The purposes and benefits of marine and maritime spatial planning are many: to limit conflicts between sectors and create synergies between activities, to encourage investment with clearer rules, to increase cross-border cooperation between EU countries to develop energy networks, shipping routes, pipelines, undersea cables and other activities, but also to develop networks of protected areas, to protect the environment by identifying impacts and opportunities early on for wise use of space.
The Northern Adriatic Sea (NAS) represents an area heavily impacted by maritime traffic, tourism, and resource exploitation. The project aims to create cross-border technical, scientific and institutional cooperation to address the challenge of assessing the impact of underwater environmental noise on marine wildlife and the NAS ecosystem in general, useful for ensuring effective protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystems and developing more sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. The objectives of the project are pursued through the construction of a shared monitoring network for underwater noise assessment, evaluation of acoustic impact on marine biological resources, and development of a planning and management tool.
ADRIREEF tests innovative actions to assess the suitability of natural and artificial reefs for the development of sustainable activities and in line with Blue Economy principles.
The LIFE ELIFE project aims to improve the conservation of elasmobranch species (sharks and rays) by promoting better conservation practices in the context of professional fishing in the Mediterranean Sea, through the implementation of pilot and demonstration actions in several Italian ports.
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.