The Interreg V-A Italy-Malta project “SEA MARVEL – Save, Enhance, Admire Marine Versatile Life”, which began in November 2020, has now come to an end after three years of intense work. The project, financed by the Interreg programme, a community initiative supported by the European Regional Development Fund for cooperation between the regions of the European Union, has outlined a marine environmental monitoring and citizen awareness plan, with a total budget of €2,198. 266.21. The ambitious project was coordinated by Prof Iuri Peri of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), Section of Agri-Food Economics, of the University of Catania, and by Prof. Adriana Vella of the Department of Biology of the University of Malta, project partner.
The specific objective of the project, in line with the program, was to contribute halting the loss of marine and land biodiversity in the areas considered, preserving the ecosystems and protected areas present there. Among the thematic objectives of SEA MARVEL there is also: to support the Natura 2000 sites selected in the two islands, through detailed field investigations to understand and enhance the various areas, to meet critical issues and common needs; then to provide support to the local population and visitors to Natura 2000 sites to better understand the richness and fragility of marine biodiversity that needs to be protected; and to involve the affected communities in participatory activities aimed at the conservation of biodiversity also in the long term.
The works were divided into 5 Work Packages: WP1 on the general management of the project; WP2 on communication; WP3 (Support to Natura 2000 sites) whose objective was providing the necessary basic information regarding vulnerable species and indicators of Natura 2000 sites, in order to carry out assessments of the environmental state and suggest targeted intervention actions in the areas protected and in the project’s fishing areas. Data on the presence and distribution of marine species were collected, and environmental degradation caused by environmental and anthropic pressures was measured; WP4 (Awareness), carried out through awareness campaigns on the importance of biodiversity, in particular in the Natura 2000 sites involved, and with the involvement of school groups who addressed issues such as circular economy and vulnerable marine species. Finally, WP5 (Experiencing change) aimed at taking the project beyond its objective of spreading knowledge and increasing awareness, in order to identify the best strategies for the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources through real behavioural changes in favour of safeguarding the Mediterranean Sea. Specifically, the project created four different communities of citizen scientists, called “Sentinel of the Sea,” who cooperated with researchers to collect environmental data: ferry crews, artisanal fishermen, students, and sailors. The cornerstone of the project was precisely the application of citizen science, between research and dissemination, which allowed to extend awareness to multiple actors regarding the rich biodiversity and the fragility of the marine ecosystem to the conservation of which everyone can contribute.
All project results were achieved and it went even beyond. The active involvement of the project partners and the stakeholders has allowed researchers from the University of Catania to carry out over 100 scientific surveys at sea, working both on scientific vessels in the Gulf of Catania and on passenger ferries and cargo ships along the Catania routes -Malta, Porto Empedocle-Lampedusa, Trapani-Pantelleria, and Ragusa-Malta. Information was collected regarding naval traffic, and on the presence of floating waste, macro fauna and vulnerable species such as cetaceans and turtles, monitoring approximately 1,412,533 hectares of sea surface, compared to the 425,000 previously estimated as the project target. More than 50 fishermen have become “Sentinels of the Sea”, over 100 young people have been trained on updated techniques and technologies for conservation, through workshops and training sessions; a report was developed with four management guides for the monitored Natura 2000 sites.
Furthermore, more than 200 young students have been trained as environmental educators on Natura 2000 sites; awareness campaigns were organized and involved over 40 schools between Sicily and Malta and more than 10,000 students. To involve schools and create a sense of belonging to their territory and spread the importance of marine resources as a common good, school challenges and thematic days were organised. SEA MARVEL has purchased and installed 6 Collect’thors at the Sicilian Natura 2000 sites of the project, which autonomously collect plastic waste in port areas; finally, over 15 schools have adopted a “Plactic Free” protocol to reduce the use of plastic.
At the end of these three years of work, the two project partners affirmed being satisfied with the countless activities carried out and the objectives achieved. They are both honoured to have collaborated with all those who were involved in this long journey full of goals and they seize this opportunity to thank everybody for their work. An acknowledgement goes to the managers of the six Natura 2000 sites who collaborated with the SEA MARVEL project, for their commitment and dedication: the “Oasi del Simeto” Oriented Nature Reserve, located in Catania (Sicily); the “Cyclopean Islands” Marine Protected Area, located in Aci Trezza, in the province of Catania (Sicily); the “Pelagie Islands” Marine Protected Area, located in Lampedusa, in the province of Agrigento (Sicily); the “Capo Milazzo” Marine Protected Area, located in Milazzo, in the province of Messina (Sicily); the Marine Protected Area around the island of Gozo, located in the Malta archipelago (Malta); and the Marine Protected Area of Ghar Lapsi and Filfla, located in the Malta archipelago (Malta).
A heartfelt thanks goes to the communities of artisanal fishermen active in the areas of Milazzo, the Gulf of Catania, and the Pelagie Islands with their over 300 reports (Lampedusa Shipowners’ Association, Co.Ge.P.A. of Catania, Marina di Patti Fishermen’s Cooperative), to shipping companies (Siremar, Grimaldi Lines, Virtu Ferries), and to sailors (Catania Coast Guard, Port Detachment of the Catania Fire Brigade Command, Syracuse Naval League, NIC Nautical Club, and yachtsmen), our “Sentinels of the Sea”. Further sincere thanks go to the schools of Catania and Malta who participated in the project’s awareness-raising activities, and to the associations who supported SEA MARVEL from day one: Marecamp, Marevivo Sicilian delegation, WWF North Eastern Sicily; and also the project service providers: PIRENE S.r.L., POA, Cannizzo agency, Baron eventi. We also thank the Managing Authority of the Italy-Malta Programme, and the associated partners of the project: ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area), the LIFE platform (Low Impact Fishers of Europe), ISPRA (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), the Maltese fishing cooperative Koperattiva Nazzjonali tas-Sajd Lt. Finally, a warm acknowledgement to all the citizens involved in the project over these three years, all united for the creation of an aware community, to protect the biodiversity of our sea.
The objectives and challenges of SEA MARVEL will not end with the official end of the project, marine monitoring will continue thanks to the community of ” Sentinels of the Sea” who, through a specific reporting tool on seamarvel.eu website, will increase the available data for the evaluation and protection of marine species and habitats. Our hope is to continue in this direction, with the constant objective of safeguarding the Mediterranean Sea, with communities increasingly aware of how and why it is important to protect environmental resources.
