The initiative within the European project that defends the cetaceans and turtles of the Mediterranean
Il jump of the striped dolphin (Stenella coerulalba), the “rest” of the cramps — large 3-4 meter dolphins easily recognizable by the typical white scratches on the body — and the fin whale that emerges. These are three of the subjects immortalized in the winning shots of the photo contest «Deep blue: whales, dolphins and turtles in the open sea»linked to the European project Life concept of the sea
(CONservation of CEtaceans and Pelagic sea TUrtles in Med: Managing Actions for their Recovery In Sustainability). The photographic competition — promoted by Triton Research — rewarded the images that best described the often hidden beauty of our Mediterranean, even many miles from the coast (see also: «Dolphin massacre in New Zealand: over 250 beached cetaceans on Chatman Island”).
Portraying cetaceans and turtles in the open sea is difficult because out of the water the animals are exposed for an instant and meeting them underwater requires a lot fortuna and at the same time, planning. Eleonora Pignata (from Savona) won the first prize, with the fabulous leap of the striped dolphin, immortalized in flight. In second place Gabriella Motta (from Genoa), with an image that portrays a group of Risso’s (Grampus griseus) on the surface. These cetaceans, not easy to observe in the Mediterranean, are portrayed in close contact, with two older individuals, with a paler body, flanking a young man. In third place Camilla Help (of Milan), who portrayed – under the slightly rippled surface of the sea – a whale (Balaenoptera physalus) about to emerge.
The shots were awarded during the first official event of the project Life concept of the sea
(October 13-14, in Rome). The first day of the event was reserved for sector experts, who took stock of possible collaborations and shared information and working methodologies. Next, the eleven partners of Conception of the Sea illustrated to the advisory committee (made up of around thirty entities, including national and local authorities, shipping companies, non-governmental organizations) the progress of the activities, the first results, problems and proposed solutions, stimulating discussion and offering ideas for continuation of the works. The second day, 14 October, open to the public, saw the awarding of the works and the illustration of the activities of citizen science foreseen by the project.
But what exactly does the project deal with? Concept of Life in the Sea? The negative effects caused by human activities (abandoned fishing gear, traffic, floating plastics) on cetaceans and sea turtles are increasingly evident and require new conservation strategies. By integrating traditional techniques with cutting-edge technologies, the project makes it possible to collect new data, especially in the open sea, on the distribution of these charismatic species and their ecological preferences. Evaluating the impact of risk factors, it is possible — therefore — to identify the most important sites in the Mediterranean for their long-term conservation. The project is initially conducted in a large area of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. The procedures are then also replicated in the Adriatic and eastern Ionian, in the Pelagos Sanctuary and in the Spanish migration corridor of cetaceans, north of the Balearic Islands.
Using the ferries as real research vessels, the project aims to increase knowledge about the marine environment, coupling traditional research and new technologies. And again, work on the monitoring of fauna, marine litter and maritime traffic; on the estimation of the areas with the greatest concentration of floating waste; on the assessment of the risk of entrapment in fishing gear; without forgetting the organization of campaigns citizen science for the involvement of citizens in monitoring in the open sea, awareness-raising activities aimed at those who work at sea, training courses for personnel on board ferries, for reduce the risk of collision with large cetaceans. Finally, the researchers analyze the isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, for clarify the structure of the underwater food chain
aalso with the use of hull sensors, installed on ferries, for the collection of environmental data, and with the detection of microscopic traces of DNA dispersed in water by animals (environmental Dna).
October 14, 2022 (change November 21, 2022 | 12:15 am)
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