LIFE OASIS Project
LIFE OASIS is a 5-year, 5.5 million euros project cofunded by the EC LIFE programme.
Coordinated by Alnitak, the Project counts on the partnership of CEPESCA, SATLINK, CSIC ICM, CSIC IMEDEA, University of Valencia, University of Pisa, Stazione Zoológica Antonn Dhorn and Nature Trust Malta.
LIFE OASIS – SUMMARY
Bycatch and entanglement in ghost fishing, or Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) has become one of the main threats to marine turtles, and marine biodiversity in general over the last decade.
In the Mediterranean, a rapid response and concerted effort between research institutions, recovery centers, port authorities, patrols boats, fishers and navigators has allowed to rescue hundreds of loggerhead turtles every year since 2017.
Project LIFE OASIS is scaling up this networking to increase the rescue of turtles as well as the reporting and retrieval of ALDFG with the help of fishers and navigators.
But more importantly, the project is looking at the prevention of this risk. ALDFG most often has its origin in illegal, unreported, unregulated or very rudimentary “survival” fishing. LIFE OASIS is working with artisanal fishers of the archipelagos of Malta & Gozo, Sicily and the Balearics to improve their unique anchored Fish Aggregating Device fishery to produce a sustainable alternative fishing management scheme to coastal communities in need.
full information LIFE OASIS Project
