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Project summary
SEA MARVEL
Project summary
The project, led by the University of Catania and the University of Malta, defines a marine environmental monitoring program, aimed at acquiring deeper and more accurate scientific information on the state of Italian-Maltese marine resources.
Thanks to field research, we assess the presence and the localisation of vulnerable indicator species, alien species and plastic waste in all of the six Natura 2000 sites included in the project, in the framework of the “Marine Strategy Framework” focusing on the state of health of European seas.
The sites involved are:
- “Oasi del Simeto” Oriented Nature Reserve, located in Catania (Sicily);
- “Isole Ciclopi” Marine Protected Area, located in Aci Trezza, in the province of Catania (Sicily);
- “Isole Pelagie” Marine Protected Area, located in Lampedusa, in the province of Agrigento (Sicily);
- “Capo Milazzo” Marine Protected Area, located in Milazzo, in the province of Messina (Sicily);
- Marine protected area around Gozo, located in the archipelago of Malta (Malta);
- Marina area near Ghar Lapsi and Filfa, located in the island of Malta (Malta).
By tackling in an integrated way the risks stemming from the presence of marine litter, the resilience of little-known biodiversity, and the impact of human activity, Sea Marvel is an opportunity for the entire coastal community to live direct experiences, by applying the Citizen Science to foster a greater collective awareness about the environment.
As a matter of fact, the project aims at identifying critical issues and common needs of the six Natura 2000 sites and to address them, with particular reference to the dissemination of knowledge and awareness among visitors and the local population. This will be achieved by involving schools and young people through an awareness program aimed at fostering responsible citizenship and sustainable regional development.
PROGRAMMA INTERREG ITALIA – MALTA 2014 – 2020
| Acronimo del progetto – Project acronym | SEA MARVEL | ||
| Project title | Save, Enhance, Admire Marine Versatile Life | ||
Name of the lead partner organisation | University of Catania. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment / Agri-food economics section | ||
Partner | University of Malta Department of Biology / the Conservation Biology Research Group | ||
| Project duration | Start date | 15.11.2020 | Nr of months: 36 |
| End date | 30.11.2023 | ||
| Programme priority Axis | III – Protecting the environment and fostering an efficient use of resources | ||
| Programme Investment Priority | 6.d. – To promote and restore biodiversity and the soils, and to promote the services for the ecosystems, even through “Natura 2000” and green infrastructure | ||
| Specific Object of the Program | 3.1 – Contribute towards the arrest of the loss of terrestrial and marine biodiversity in the area, maintain and reactivate the ecosystem and protected area | ||
| General Object of the Project | Contribute to the halting of marine biodiversity loss in the cross-border area by enhancing Natura 2000 sites effectiveness, stakeholder awareness and knowledge on the valuable and versatile marine life needing conservation through participation in more responsible behaviors and mitigation of serious impacts from plastics and alien species. | ||
Specific Object of the project | |||
| 1. Support Natura 2000 sites selected for on-site timely activity of enhancement and valorisation of areas in the regional network in Sicily and Malta | Develop actions aimed at facilitating mitigation measures for conservation in Natura 2000 sites through integrative research, actions, guidelines, awareness, educational campaigns outputs. To contribute towards the arrest of the loss of marine biodiversity in the area, maintain and reactivate the ecosystem in the 6 Natura 2000 sites selected. | ||
| 2. Support local populations and visitors of Natura 2000 sites to better understand the richness and fragility of marine biodiversity needing to be preserved | Develop educational material for formal and informal learning and training. Biodiversity research integration, awareness, education and training campaigns. Raise the level of awareness and knowledge of visitors and populations living next to the Natura 2000 sites with direct involvement in campaigns. Adopt technology to reduce plastic debris. | ||
| 3. Involve relevant target Communities into best participatory actions and services such as the Sentinels of the Sea service | Sea Users and Stakeholders as Sentinels of the Sea. Pilot project with full time artisanal fishermen, Sailors and Ferry Crews to become sentinel of their sea and support project activities by collecting data during daily work. 15 Schools become plastic free. | ||
WP 1 Management and coordination
The WP 1 includes all coordination and management activities to ensure a sound and clear project
cycle management, including all meetings among partners to coordinate activities, and the financial
and administrative duties to fulfil the obligations with the Managing Authority.
WP2 Communication
The WP 2 includes all the necessary actions to promote and disseminate project results, including web
site, social media management, press office, events and workshops. With this WP a communication
plan is delivered to address relevant updates and information to specific target groups: Scientific
Institution, Public Authorities, Schools, NGOs, etc.
WP 3 - Support Natura 2000 Sites
The objective of WP 3 is to provide the necessary background detailed information on vulnerable and
indicator species so as to provide a holistic integrative assessment for intervention in the Natura 2000
sites and fishing zones assessed. We collect valuable data on the species presence, abundance,
dominance or rarity, and we measure the amount of habitat degradation through the presence of plastic
debris, derelict fishing gear, number of vessels, and alien species.
WP 4 - Raise awareness
Thanks to WP 4 we support the growth of environmentally responsible citizens by reaching relevant
portions of youths and adults. With awareness campaigns and school challenges on circular economy
and marine vulnerable species, students will be further inspired to become knowledgeable on the
importance of biodiversity and actions in favor of the maintenance of its richness, especially in the
Natura 2000 sites involved.
WP 5 - Experience the change
The WP 5 intends to bring the project beyond the purposes of knowledge and awareness, offering the
possibility to the target beneficiaries to take action and live useful experiences capable to transform
their habits towards the safeguard of the sea and the environment in general, in order to achieve
sustainable management of coastal and marine resources through “behavioral changes”.
Specifically, the project intends to create 4 different communities of practice of citizen scientist named
“Sentinels of the Sea”: crew ferries, small-scale fishers, students, and sailors.