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The unique life history features of seahorses (low mobility, site fidelity, low fecundity, high parental care) make them vulnerable to the environmental changes and anthropic pressures. Despite increasing concern over their conservation status, many biological and ecological aspects remain poorly documented therefore disabling and limiting management strategies. Most of the Mediterranean populations are threatened by human activities and a recent document drawn up by the Italian Committee of IUCN for marine fish of the Italian coasts defined the two species as Near Threatened (NT). During the last 15 years, despite the absence of specific funding projects and thanks to the large group of volunteers working alongside researchers, a considerable research group has been created, allowing investigation of several aspects of seahorse life cycle in an area that has never been studied before. In this period, we have conducted several studies on their spatial and temporal persistence, population structure, habitat preferences, and diet composition. Hippocampus guttulatus and H. hippocampus are two sympatric species distributed throughout the entire Mediterranean Sea. Thau lagoon was considered as the area with the highest seahorse density but, thanks to this research group, the importance of Taranto Mar Piccolo as a site of the extraordinary conservation interest has been highlighted. Both species display patchy distribution and a high spatial demographic heterogeneity despite the fact that the most abundant populations are unbalanced in terms of size classes, presumably indicating problems in the local recruitment or due to the anomalous mortality. They show a tendency for covered substrates (e.g. Corallina sp. and Cladophora sp. facies) offering complex and holdfast-rich microhabitats. Both species, however, can also exploit uncovered substrates as well as infralittoral habitats. The diet shows strong differences in diversity and abundance of preyed taxa related to the habitat of occurrence. Overall, amphipods, copepods and isopods are the major contributors to the diet. Although temporal persistence on a large scale was observed, indicating the capacity to resist and persist in time and space, seahorses are in a state of distress because of patchy distribution and unstructured populations. This, even more, highlights the need for suitable strategies to protect foraging habitats and ecosystems where there are numerous populations, like in Mar Piccolo of Taranto.

Component: C 1.3 Support for Member States' implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning Sub‐component: C 1.3.6. Establish Case Studies on Approaches to MSP Implementation Case Study #4 Strait of Sicily (Italy-Malta) The SIMWESTMED case study for Malta is focused on the Malta - Sicily marine waters, bordering the south of Sicily and the north of the Maltese Islands. The study area (9420 km2) features portions of internal, territorial and international waters, continental shelf areas, Malta’s Contiguous Zone and Malta’s Fisheries Management Conservation Zone. After a thorough refinement of information on legal/planning status, environmental conditions and uses and acquisition of fine scale spatial data, available approaches and toolsets (http://data.adriplan.eu/tools4msp/) were used to identify MSP issues for the area, conflicts among uses and their cumulative effects on the marine environment, proper analysis of land-sea interactions, and elaborate recommendations for transboundary MSP. Results and stakeholders engagement were used for the proposal of integrated sectoral measures, with the identification of possible management objectives, plan proposals and recommendations., This report/document was produced as part of the SIMWESTMED Project (Grant Agreement N0. EASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/02/SI2.742101). PROJECT: Supporting Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the Western Mediterranean region (SIMWESTMED) Competition for maritime space – for renewable energy equipment, aquaculture and other uses – has highlighted the need to manage our waters more coherently. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) works across borders and sectors to ensure human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way. That is why the European Parliament and the Council have adopted a legislation to create a common framework for maritime spatial planning in Europe. The Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 (said Maritime Spatial Planning Directive) establishes a framework in order to reduce conflicts between sectors and create synergies between different activities, to encourage investment – by creating predictability, transparency and clearer rules, to increase cross-border cooperation – between EU countries to develop energy grids, shipping lanes, pipelines, submarine cables and other activities, but also to develop coherent networks of protected areas, and to protect the environment – through early identification of impact and opportunities for multiple use of space. The SIMWESTMED project (Supporting Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the Western Mediterranean region) is an EU/DG Mare co-funded cross-border project. It was launched on 1st of January 2017 and involves Spain, France, Italy and Malta, while these countries had just designated their Competent Authorities and transposed the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive. SIMWESTMED aims to support the implementation of the MSP Directive in the waters of Spain, France, Italy and Malta, as well as to establish cross-border cooperation mechanisms between these Member States, to contribute to the coherence of their marine spatial plans to be established by 2021. The action ran until 31st of December 2018 and was based on a partnership of public bodies of the countries and two international organisations. It was composed of CEDEX, IEO, AFB, CEREMA, Shom, CORILA and its affiliated entities IUAV and CNR-ISMAR, MIT, IMELS, PA, CPMR, UNEP-MAP and its affiliated entity UNEP-MAP/PAP-RAC. Shom acted as coordinator. The objectives of the SIMWESTMED project were addressed through a variety of activities and desktop or case studies. They are dedicated to identifying the methodology steps, and explore the challenges and opportunities of the MSP implementation in the Western Mediterranean area, including thus related to transboundary issues (Ecosystem based approach, marine policies, Barcelona Convention, Land Sea Interactions, geographical scale of the plans, data interoperability, tools to support MSP). The project led to a multiplicity of outputs including overviews of MSP relevant information related to the countries and on more focus areas, to a number of interviews and meetings where stakeholder views were collected to feed the reasoning, and to guidelines and good practices to be shared at a national and transnational level with marine stakeholders, scientists as well as planners, administrations and authorities. In addition, SIMWESTMED permitted a lot of progression internally in the countries and regarding transboundary cooperation. It led to establish and develop new dialogues and to connect the technical or scientific actors, the stakeholders, the administrations of the countries of a same sea basin, and the administrations within the countries, including the representative of Regions. It allowed to better understand Maritime Spatial Planning mechanisms, to share knowledge and as such reached to build capacities, which is of importance as there is such a need in the Mediterranean area compared to more Northern countries. The project also permitted to address topics which have never been addressed before. The involvement of some countries in SIMWESTMED and in the EU-DG Mare "brother" projects SUPREME, SIMNORAT and SIMCelt was useful for them to develop a global vision with their neighbours through the East and West side of the Mediterranean and in the Atlantic sea basin. At the end of this exercise, it is stated the need of pursuing the work and dialogue in particular through common tools, but at this stage, the SIMWESTMED has constituted a common knowledge and background. Disclaimer: The contents and conclusions of this report, including the maps and figures, do not imply the expression of any opinion or endorsement of the participating partners concerning the legal status of any country, territory, area, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The depiction and use of boundaries, geographic names and related data shown on maps included in this report are not warranted to be error free nor do they imply official endorsement or acceptance by any of the participating partners. This report is a working document and may rely on data from sources external to the SIMWESTMED project Consortium and, in addition to this, it may contain some information gaps. Neither the European Commission or Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises nor UN Environment/MAP Barcelona Convention Secretariat may be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained in this report.

Discarding in fisheries is the fraction of the total catch brought on board and returned to the sea dead or alive for legal or economic reasons. The reduction of discard is one of the main objectives of the European Common Fishery Policy. This study aimed to improve the current knowledge of the discard associated with the deep-water rose shrimp (DPS) fisheries in the south-central Mediterranean Sea. We analyzed data collected from January 2009 to December 2013. Multivariate data analysis and generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to assess the spatio-temporal composition of the discard (which represented 36% of the total catch) and factors influencing its distribution. Multiple analysis of variance highlighted the significant effect of depth factor on discard assemblage. Moreover, in general, bony fish were the most discarded organisms (23.5%), while cartilaginous fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates represented approximately 13% of the total catch. GAMs showed that the fraction of discard in the catch presented significant variation regarding the years, depth and fishing ground. Although the negative trend in discard suggested that the DPS fisheries are moving towards a more sustainable exploitation, the discard fraction in some areas/assemblages remains high. Our results showed that most of the discard was due to species that had a minimum legal size (Hake, DPS, Trachurus spp.), and consequently would be subjected to the European discard ban. In order to improve the fisheries management, specific measures aimed to minimize the unwanted catches of undersized species need to be implemented.

The aim of this study was to provide further knowledge of the ecological, spatial, and temporal distribution and life-cycle traits of the sympatric seahorse species Hippocampus hippocampus and Hippocampus guttulatus. From 2011 to 2014, data were collected from 20 sites along the Apulian coast (Southern Italy) in order to cover a wide range of coastal marine, open water, and lagoon sites, from the surface to a depth of 48 metres. Seahorses were found at seven of the 20 sites investigated. Both species displayed temporal persistence, patchy distribution, and a high spatial demographic heterogeneity. This study revealed a smaller maximum size and size at maturity of H. guttulatus than has been reported elsewhere. Although it is possible that environmental factors are influencing the size of these animals, there may be genetic explanations, especially for lagoon populations. Despite the fragmented distribution and often low abundance found along the Apulian coast, some seahorse populations appear to be locally persistent and stable over time, suggesting that there is a need for appropriate location-specific conservation strategies. Not just maintaining but increasing the area of artificial substrates, which enhance habitat complexity and provide holdfasts, could represent a possible approach to help conserve marine littoral biodiversity and to protect endangered species in lagoons.

Fish exhibit impaired sensory function and altered behaviour at levels of ocean acidification expected to occur owing to anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions during this century. We provide the first evidence of the effects of ocean acidification on reproductive behaviour of fish in the wild. Satellite and sneaker male ocellated wrasse ( Symphodus ocellatus ) compete to fertilize eggs guarded by dominant nesting males. Key mating behaviours such as dominant male courtship and nest defence did not differ between sites with ambient versus elevated CO 2 concentrations. Dominant males did, however, experience significantly lower rates of pair spawning at elevated CO 2 levels. Despite the higher risk of sperm competition found at elevated CO 2 , we also found a trend of lower satellite and sneaker male paternity at elevated CO 2 . Given the importance of fish for food security and ecosystem stability, this study highlights the need for targeted research into the effects of rising CO 2 levels on patterns of reproduction in wild fish.

A Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) system was used to assess fish assemblages on detritic bottoms (40 m) inside and outside the Capo Gallo - Isola delle Femmine MPA. Our study investigated the suitability of Baited Remote Underwater Video to describe fish (relative) abundance and diversity between sites at different protection levels. The fish assemblages relative abundance and species richness significantly differed between the three different location (A, B e CTL) considered. The largest difference occurred at CTL site position outside the MPA, where 2-fold increase in the number of species was recorded relative to the A and B sites.

Some aspects of the reproductive behaviour of the ocellated wrasse Symphodus ocellatus (Forsskål 1775) were investigated in wild conditions along a pCO2 gradient. Our results show no differences in the number of females, sneakers and satellite males involved in the spawning phase under two pCO2 conditions. However, the spawning rate of nesting males was negatively affected in high pCO2, whilst exerted a normal reproductive pattern in ambient pCO2.

Fish exhibit impaired sensory function and altered behaviour at levels of ocean acidification expected to occur owing to anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions during this century. We provide the first evidence of the effects of ocean acidification on reproductive behaviour of fish in the wild. Satellite and sneaker male ocellated wrasse (Symphodus ocellatus) compete to fertilize eggs guarded by dominant nesting males. Key mating behaviours such as dominant male courtship and nest defence did not differ between sites with ambient versus elevated CO2 concentrations. Dominant males did, however, experience significantly lower rates of pair spawning at elevated CO2 levels. Despite the higher risk of sperm competition found at elevated CO2, we also found a trend of lower satellite and sneaker male paternity at elevated CO2. Given the importance of fish for food security and ecosystem stability, this study highlights the need for targeted research into the effects of rising CO2 levels on patterns of reproduction in wild fish.

Increasing human pressures and global environmental change may severely affect the diversity of species assemblages and associated ecosystem services. Despite the recent interest in phylogenetic and functional diversity, our knowledge on large spatio-temporal patterns of demersal fish diversity sampled by trawling remains still incomplete, notably in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most threatened marine regions of the world. We investigated large spatio-temporal diversity patterns by analysing a dataset of 19,886 hauls from 10 to 800 m depth performed annually during the last two decades by standardised scientific bottom trawl field surveys across the Mediterranean Sea, within the MEDITS program. A multicomponent (eight diversity indices) and multi-scale (local assemblages, biogeographic regions to basins) approach indicates that only the two most traditional components (species richness and evenness) were sufficient to reflect patterns in taxonomic, phylogenetic or functional richness and divergence. We also put into question the use of widely computed indices that allow comparing directly taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity within a unique mathematical framework. In addition, demersal fish assemblages sampled by trawl do not follow a continuous decreasing longitudinal/latitudinal diversity gradients (spatial effects explained up to 70.6% of deviance in regression tree and generalised linear models), for any of the indices and spatial scales analysed. Indeed, at both local and regional scales species richness was relatively high in the Iberian region, Malta, the Eastern Ionian and Aegean seas, meanwhile the Adriatic Sea and Cyprus showed a relatively low level. In contrast, evenness as well as taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional divergences did not show regional hotspots. All studied diversity components remained stable over the last two decades. Overall, our results highlight the need to use complementary diversity indices through different spatial scales when developing conservation strategies and defining delimitations for protected areas.

The analysis of 973 benthic samples from the trawlable bottoms of the Strait of Sicily allowed to identify a thanatocoenosis characterized by the fossil gastropods Neptunea contraria and Buccinum undatum in a restricted area of the incoherent bottoms of the canyon on the western shoulder of the Adventure Bank. This finding extends southernmost the known distribution area of these fossil species. Benthic community living on thanatocoenosis showed a higher biodiversity than those found in areas without dead shells.

Climate warming should favor ‘warm water’ species over ‘cold water’ species at the same site. Regional warming in the Western Mediterranean has allowed the documented northward expansion of southern marine species. Conversely, very little is known on the response of cold loving species to temperature variations. We propose to work with two common coastal fishes: the rainbow wrasse Coris julis and the ornate wrasse Thalassoma pavo, with the general objective to exploring patterns of distribution and their potential to interact under warming conditions. Large scale quantitative observations revealed: (1) opposing trends in abundance along latitudinal (35o − 45oN) and depth gradients (0-36m), with T. pavo densities significantly higher in southern and shallow waters than those of C. julis; (2) differential distributions across shallow habitats, with C. julis occupying seagrass beds when the density of T. pavo was high; and (3) a marked depth segregation of the species only on steep coasts. These patterns are discussed with regard to the role of water warming. Significant ecological changes might occur in locations where the density of T. pavo is recently increasing.

Review of historical and current data on the locations and status of seagrass beds, coralligenous and maerl beds in different GSAs (Geographic Sub Areas)all over the Mediterranean basin

Il documento contiene l'applicazione al case study 'Stretto di Sicilia' del framework of analysis proposto nel porgetto MESMA, attraverso sette step consecutivi.

Second run of the MESMA framework in the Strait of Sicily case study.

Fish-aggregating devices are floating objects used worldwide to improve pelagic fishery yield. Fishaggregating devices use the natural attraction exerted by floating objects on juveniles and adults of both pelagic and demersal fish. In this study, it was hypothesised that fish change their degree and type of interaction with moored floating objects depending on size. This is because fishes in early life stage remain close to floating objects, using them as a shelter, but as they grow they move further away from floating objects spending their time swimming to seek food. To test this hypothesis, the spatial distribution and habitat use of five Mediterranean fish species were quantified. The results enabled the hypothesis to be accepted for all species, except Balistes carolinensis Gmelin. For this species, a shelter from predator model was applicable, but for the other species, the generalised meeting point model was more adaptable

The ecological and commercial value of species of the genera Palinuridae is now widely recognized throughout the European continent. These species present a complex life cycle, with slow growth rate and a high size at maturity. As a consequence, these species are particularly susceptible to fishing pressure and the management and conservation of this resource requires specific attention. P. elephas is considered a vulnerable species mainly due to the high age-dependent mortality of adults and sub-adults individuals, which consequently reduces fishing recruitment and that might lead to an ecological bottleneck for this species limiting population growth. With these notions in mind, this project aimed at identifying the settlement stage of Palinurus elephas and at describing the preferred microhabitat for juveniles (Fabricius, 1787), along the north-western coast of Sicily (Isola delle Femmine - Palermo). Furthermore, on the basis of field observations, we tested in a controlled environment, the geometric features of the substrate needed for P. elephas settlement, This was done to propose suitable artificial structures that might favor or facilitate the settlement of P. elephas and that might protect juveniles during their benthic life stage as well as reducing natural mortality

The focus of this study is the population spatial structure of the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797), in the GSAs 16 and 15 of Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean). Specifically, the depth distribution of the species and the geographic position of nursery and spawning grounds were investigated. Abundance indices by life-phases (recruits and spawners) were obtained from two series of scientific trawl surveys carried out in the Strait of Sicily in the period 1994-2007 within the framework of international and Italian national programmes of experimental trawl surveys. Distribution maps of density indices were generated for each life stage and year by Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) deterministic interpolation. Specifically, 14 distribution maps of recruit density indices were produced for the Autumn season (main recruitment period), whereas nine density maps of mature individuals were obtained for the spring/early summer season (peak of reproduction). Moreover 4 years of data were available to produce distribution maps of recruit density indices in the African platform of GSAs 13 and 14. Nursery and spawning areas were identified, by means of GIS techniques, applying criteria based on the persistent presence of high values of recruits and adult females respectively, throughout the period of study. A stable spawning ground was identified in the north-west sector of GSA16. Several nurseries were located along the south coast of Sicily and north of Malta. An important stable nursery was found in the south-east area of GSA 13.

Locating nursery grounds of exploited demersal species is essential for implementing management measures aimed at reducing the fishing pressure on vulnerable stages of species life cycle and their habitat. The aim of this study was to identify the nursery areas of seven important commercial species of the northern sector of the Straits of Sicily (central Mediterranean): European hake, Red mullet, Greater forkbeard, Deep-water rose shrimp, Giant red shrimp, Norway lobster, Horned octopus. The data were collected during experimental trawl surveys carried out routinely in the Straits of Sicily from 1994 to 2004 during spring and autumn season. The analysis was performed using the following three-step approach. Firstly the juvenile fraction (recruits) of a species was identified and the relative density indices by haul were estimated. In a second step, yearly distribution maps of recruit density indices were generated through geostatistical analysis. Hence the areas encompassing the highest concentrations of recruits each year were delineated (density hot-spots). Finally, the persistence in time of the density hot-spots was evaluated to identify the stable nursery areas. Results showed that most of the species have nursery grounds well defined and very stable in time. Protection of these areas, through limitations of fishing pressure throughout the year or during selected months, is an important management measure for ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries

Deep water pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, Lucas 1846), Hake (Merluccius merluccius, Linnaeus, 1758) and Giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea, Risso 1827) are the main target species of the bottom trawlers operating in the Strait of Sicily. This paper aims to summarize the results of the studies performed by the IAMC - CNR to evaluate the potential yield and the current exploitation of these main species by using and comparing different assessment approaches. Data used for the analyses derived from both indirect (commercial fisheries) and direct (trawl surveys) monitoring International and National Programs carried out within the frameworks of European Union Common Fisheries Policy. The assessments of P. longirostris suggest that the fishery is being exploited the above a level which is believed to be sustainable in the long term. To move the fishing to a more sustainable pattern (F0.1), a decrease of the current fishing mortality ranging between 30% and 45% is recommended. For M. merluccius, a long living species sensitive to high fishing pressure, a reduction of current fishing mortality from 45% and 70% is suggested. In the case of A. foliacea, the reduction of fishing mortality to reach a more sustainable exploitation ranges from 30% and 65% of the current F.