S4F

Sea4Future

SEA4FUTURE is dedicated to catalyzing a blue transformation in the Mediterranean’s aquatic food sector, addressing environmental degradation and socio-economic vulnerability, while leveraging successful practices from Madeira. The Mediterranean, recognized as a “climate change hotspot” (Darmaraki et al., 2019), faces severe overexploitation of its fish stocks, with 75% of these stocks harvested unsustainably (UNEP).
The inconsistency and weakness in catch yields force fishing enterprises to increase their fishing effort, perpetuating a vicious cycle of greater pressure on stocks, leading to higher incidences of undersized and low-value catches.
In response, European fisheries policies advocate for technological advancements to reduce bycatch, especially where fishing impacts protected species and organisms at vulnerable life stages.
New fishing techniques, innovations in gear design, and bycatch reduction, promoted by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), FAO, and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), are key to more sustainable practices. Their most significant environmental benefits have typically resulted from collaborative efforts among scientists, technologists, and the fishing industry, with widespread adoption driven by clear incentives or regulatory pressures.

PARTNERS

Referent:

Sergio Vitale

Researcher

Mazara Del Vallo

SCOPRI DI PIÙ

Programme: EU – Horizon Europe - HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-01-03: Mediterranean Sea basin lighthouse - Reducing the environmental impacts of fisheries on marine species and habitats

Duration: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2029

Budget: 7.999.200,26 €

Budget IRBIM: 581.468,75 €

Areas of Research:

TEAM
Monica Calabrò

Researcher

Mazara Del Vallo

Fabio Falsone

Researcher

Mazara Del Vallo

Fabio Fiorentino

Director of Research

Mazara Del Vallo

Vita Gancitano

Technologist

Mazara Del Vallo

Germana Garofalo

Researcher

Mazara Del Vallo

Michele Luca Geraci

Research Fellow

Mazara Del Vallo

Mariangela Giglio

Administrative Officer

Mazara Del Vallo

Valentina Lauria

Researcher

Mazara Del Vallo

Daniela Massi

Technologist

Mazara Del Vallo

Massimiliano Pinat

Technologist

Ancona

Sergio Vitale

Researcher

Mazara Del Vallo

Research Projects



Research Projects

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.

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