Project summary

Strategic goal: PO2 – A resilient, greener and low-carbon emission Europe, moving towards a net-zero carbon economy by promoting a transition to clean and fair energy, green and blue investments, a circular economy, adaptation to & mitigation of climate change, risk management and prevention, and sustainable urban mobility.

Specific goal: SO 7 – Strengthening the protection and conservation of nature, preserving biodiversity and green infrastructure (including in urban areas), and reducing all forms of pollution.

Type: Standard project

Short description of the project: SeaInsights will achieve its objective through (1) the development and implementation of a joint pilot action to comprehensively assess marine biodiversity, including the identification of invasive species, using environmental DNA (eDNA); (2) the harmonization and improvement of monitoring approaches and of databases for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus); (3) the creation of genetic markers for the genotyping-sequencing of bottlenose dolphins; (4) the testing of innovative tools for the collection of eDNA samples for individual recognition of marine mammals through eDNA analysis; (5) the launch of a coordinated pilot study on the cultural ecosystem services provided by marine and coastal ecosystems; (6) the involvement of stakeholders to develop practical guidelines for a future cross-border collaboration aimed at the conservation and monitoring of marine mammals and marine biodiversity, which is an integral part of the management of the North Adriatic Sea; (7) an effort in raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices that are in line with the values of local communities. An intense human activity and unique biogeographical features make the North Adriatic an area that is highly vulnerable to a variety of environmental and ecological risks; this highlights the importance of a cross-border collaboration for facing these challenges. SeaInsights brings together researchers, experts and conservation biologists of both counties in order to offer comprehensive solutions to specific challenges, ensuring a direct transfer of the available academic knowledge to concrete implementation efforts. SeaInsights’ solutions are also transferable and durable, contributing to the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 as an integral part of the European Green Deal.

Morigenos is leading the work package “Development and testing of innovative tools for sampling and individual eDNA genotyping”, which will develop an innovative approach for the identification of marine mammals at individual level, using the dolphins of the Gulf of Trieste as a model species, to improve knowledge of the North Adriatic dolphin population and to contribute new approaches to the conservation of marine apex predators. We are also active participants in other work packages of the project which include: 1) assisting in the development and implementation of methods for biodiversity assessment using eDNA, 2) merging of the dolphin database between Italy and Slovenia for better population estimates, 3) assessing the health of the dolphins in the Northern Adriatic using non-invasive methods, and 3) creating transnational protocols for the monitoring of marine mammals.

Goals

• The goal of SeaInsights is to improve skills to conserve the delicate biodiversity of the North Adriatic, a region known for the richness and diversity of its ecosystem, which is facing the threats of climate change, overexploitation and pollution.

Output

• The main outputs will be announced shortly.

Partners

• Univerza v Ljubljani

• Università degli Studi di Padova

• Morigenos – slovensko društvo za morske sesalce

• APS Dolphin Biology and Conservation

• DivjaLabs, razvoj in raziskave, d.o.o.

• Shoreline Società Cooperativa

Partner Organizations

• Zavod Republike Slovenije za varstvo narave

• Javni zavod Krajinski park Strunjan

• Krajinski park Debeli rtič

• Javni zavod za spodbujanje podjetništva in razvojne projekte občine Izola

• Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia