This area of research focuses on fishing technology, also with the aim of mitigating and reducing the impacts of these activities on biotic resources and the ecosystem. The aims are pursued through the design, development in the laboratory and final testing in the field of innovative technologies and tools capable of improving fishing efficiency, selectivity and reducing the impact of fishing activities on biota and on the seabed (also through study of the seabed with bathymetric multibeams). Research carried out include the study of the behavior of fishing gears at sea (eg, drag resistance, horizontal and vertical opening of the net, and divergents) through specially designed electronic instrumentation, study of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (greenhouse gas) in fishing activities, and the impact caused by anthropogenic activities on the marine environment and on the seabed.
Activities in the field of marine acoustics concern the observation and study of the marine ecosystem through sounds. Oceanographic acoustic survey campaigns are carried out aimed at monitoring the state of resources and the study of fluctuations in fish stocks, with the aim of characterizing the distribution of pelagic organisms with a high spatial and temporal resolution, through the use of scientific echo sounders. multifrequency and advanced acoustic technologies. Bioacoustics research is also conducted for monitoring the anthropic impact on marine life, the study of sounds produced by marine organisms and the study of the population of marine mammals through the use of both hydrophones and fixed observation platforms.
Research on the traceability of fish products and related technologies also fall within this area of research, aimed at achieving greater product safety, traceability, conservation and enhancement of the fish products.
To provide national and EU administrations, as well as regional-level fisheries management bodies such as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), with scientific data and appropriate tools to undertake programming interventions and adopt management measures in line with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
NAUTILOS was created with the goal of complementing and expanding existing observational instruments and services in the EU, and enabling the collection of marine data with greater spatial resolution, temporal regularity, and length than currently available.
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.
