The Strait of Sicily was recognized internationally as an “Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area” by the Contracting Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2014. However, basic aspects of its fish diversity are still unknown and most of the information comes from traditional trawl surveys. This paper provides the first detailed description, using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), of the composition and depth distribution of the demersal fish assemblages found on banks of the Strait of Sicily and the related habitat complexity from 35 to 240 m depth. A total of 24 families and 52 fish species were recorded and depth was consistently associated with a significant proportion of the variation of the fish assemblage. The highest species richness was observed at the shallowest depth layer (0–50 m) and significantly decreased, remaining almost constant, in deeper layers. Similarly the highest abundance was recorded at 0–50 m, where C. julis represented the most abundant species, and decreased progressively throughout the whole depth gradient. Although the factor habitat complexity explained only a small proportion of the fish assemblage variation, significant differences among different degrees of habitat complexity were observed, together with a general positive trend for species richness and abundance with increasing habitat complexity. The ROV also allowed us to observe some rare or poorly known fish species such as Scorpaenodes arenai, Hyporthodus haifensis, Myliobatis aquila, Gadella maraldi, Epinephelus caninus and Lappanella fasciata. These findings show that banks serve as reservoirs for fish abundance and biodiversity and that immediate environmental conservation and management actions represent a priority not only for Italy but also for other countries which share the same area.
In 2015, the Strait of Sicily, which includes several banks, was candidate as a future Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) by the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention. In this context, the present study aims to provide the first biological and ecological characterisation of this poorly known area, focusing on habitats and species of conservation concern. Surveys were carried through a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and allowed the identification of 19 habitat types, mostly considered of priority interest by the SPA/BD Protocol of the Barcelona Convention. A total of 269 taxa were also identified, mostly Porifera, Cnidaria and Pisces, among which 115 species are of conservation concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Lists, the Habitats Directive, the Bern Convention, the SPA/BD Protocol and CITES. ROV surveys allowed some interesting observations on poorly known species and habitats. Results underlined that remarkable discrepancies in species conservation status assessment that exist between the several lists of protected species considered. The IUCN Red Lists, although not legally binding for European States, are the most complete, but, in spite of this, the conservation policies in the EU are largely focused on the Habitats Directive, which is really not exhaustive. An exhaustive and legally binding instrument to protect species of conservation concern at European scale is highly recommended. Acquired results could be useful for the delimitation of a future SPAMI or a network of Marine Protected Areas (including the investigated banks) and the identification of zones within them suitable for different area-based management measures.
<p>EMODnet Chemistry is one of the seven thematic portals of EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data Network), the long-term initiative aiming to ensure that European marine data are findable, accessible, interoperable and re-usable. EMODnet was launched by DG MARE in 2009 as the pillar of the Blue Growth strategy, Marine Knowledge 2020.</p><p>Eutrophication (e.g. nutrients, oxygen and chlorophyll), contaminants (e.g. hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals, antifoulants) and marine litter (e.g. beach litter, seafloor litter and floating micro litter) are the main categories of quality assured marine data sets and data products made available through the EMODnet Chemistry portal.</p><p>45 marine research and monitoring institutes and oceanographic data management experts from 30 countries comprise the EMODnet Chemistry network, including National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODC), National Environmental Monitoring Agencies and Marine Research Institutes actively involved in managing, processing and providing access to data sets from European marine waters and global oceans.</p><p>During 2020 EMODnet Chemistry consolidated fundamental international collaborations and upgraded cooperation actions on the European and global level to share and harmonize data, knowledge and services, following decision-makers&#8217; needs to implement EU directives, such as MSFD, MSPD, INSPIRE directive, and the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations</p><p>Main EMODnet Chemistry 2020 transnational cooperation actions are:</p><ul><li>The MSFD Technical Group on Marine Litter used the EMODnet Chemistry Marine Litter Database to compute the EU beach litter quantitative Baselines and Threshold values.</li> <li>The European Environment Agency confirmed the use of EMODnet Chemistry data for three environmental state indicators relating to eutrophication and contaminants.</li> <li>Mercator Ocean International and EMODnet Chemistry set up the first joint portfolio of products in support of the MSFD implementation. The two partners are also exploring opportunities to support the aquaculture sector.</li> <li>EMODnet -Chemistry and the In Situ Thematic Assembly Centre of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS INSTAC) collaborated with ENVRI Marine European Research Infrastructures (Euro-Argo, EMSO, ICOS, Lifewatch and SeaDataNet) to enhance FAIRness of in situ data.</li> <li>Mercator Ocean international, UNDESA, SULITEST NGO and EMODnet Chemistry have been creating an awareness questionnaire to raise awareness on the Goal 14 of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.</li> <li>The EU asked EMODnet Chemistry to share its experience at the G20 workshop on harmonized monitoring and data compilation of marine plastic litter organized by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.</li> <li>The international Oxygen data portal and Ocean Acidification data portal received contributions from EMODnet Chemistry and CMEMS in situ TAC for their implementation.</li> <li>The National Marine Data and Information Service of China collaborates with EMODnet to strengthen international ocean data through the EMOD-PACE project.</li> </ul>
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