The objectives of this area of research are to quantify overfishing, promote the sustainable use of biological resources in seas and oceans and produce better knowledge on the state of fish stocks, both in terms of fishing pressure and their abundance at sea. These objectives are pursued by studying the population structure, connectivity and distribution of fishing resources, making more accurate stock status assessments, developing methods to simulate the effects of different management measures (for example, the identification and mapping of Essential Fish Habitats), acquiring greater knowledge on the biology and ecology of the exploited species, and integrating traditional methodologies (direct observations, population dynamics analysis, acoustic surveys) with innovative methodologies (–omics and DNA-based). To reconcile the use and conservation of species and habitats, without compromising the goods and services provided by marine ecosystems, the research is also oriented towards the evaluation of the dynamics of multi-specific stocks, the spatial management of multi-specific fisheries, to Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and Fishery Restricted Areas (FRA) to understand the benefits deriving from protection and conservation activities, to the definition of management units based on ecosystem production processes (biological productivity and socio-economic profits), and to the study of the impacts of fishiery on non-target species and ecosystems, including the direct and indirect impact of certain types of fishing on the seabed, on their complexity and on the benthic biota.
The Life DELFI project was born out of growing concern within the international scientific community about the interactions of cetaceans with professional fishing activities. Of particular concern is the frequent finding of signs of interaction with fishing gear on dolphin carcasses found on the beach or at sea. Therefore, DELFI takes care to limit the interaction between dolphins and fishermen as much as possible.
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).
CNR IRBIM partner with SZN, 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, ENEA and INGV to carry out maritime spatial planning for the Campania Region.
Promoting technological and non-technological solutions for innovation in the adoption of Small Scale Fisheries and aquaculture in the Adriatic-Ionian Basin.
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.
