Living on the extinction edge: bridging knowledge gaps to PROtect threatened coastal SHARKS in the central Mediterranean Sea
The PROSHARKS project, funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the PRIN 2022 program, is dedicated to the conservation of demersal sharks in the Mediterranean. Specifically, PROSHARKS focuses on the three species of smooth-hound sharks (Mustelus mustelus, M. punctulatus, and M. asterias), which are currently considered at risk of extinction in the Mediterranean.
The project will investigate the population structure, connectivity, and spatial and temporal trends of these three species in the Strait of Sicily. This marine area has been globally recognized as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) due to its critical role in biodiversity and the abundance of chondrichthyan species.
PROSHARKS will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating fisheries data, satellite tagging data, genetic and isotopic analyses, and local ecological knowledge (LEK) from fishermen to identify temporal trends, habitat preferences, and spatial connectivity of these species within the Strait of Sicily.
The data collected throughout the project will be used to achieve specific objectives, including:
a) Identifying key areas essential for the species' life cycles and conservation through the development of Species Distribution Models (SDMs);
b) Defining the genetic structure of populations and the connectivity between different groups within the study area (e.g., between the Italian and Tunisian coasts);
c) Assessing the impact of climate change on the future distribution of these species;
d) Defining conservation measures and raising awareness among fishermen and the general public about the ecological importance of sharks in maintaining the balance and functionality of the marine ecosystem.
The project is coordinated by the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Marche and the CNR IRBIM.
What We Do
SZN coordinates the project and will be primarily involved in the tagging campaign of the species and the analysis of acquired satellite data. Additionally, it will study population trends through interviews with fishermen and identify fisheries management measures aimed at restoring the populations of gulper sharks in the Strait of Sicily.
Partners
SZN, CNR-IRBIM (Mazara del Vallo), Polytechnic University of Marche
Research Area
Marine Ecology
SZN Role
Coordinator
Principal Investigator
Francesco Colloca
Project Manager
Francesco Colloca
Project Duration
24 months: February 2025 – February 2027
Funding Institutions
MUR, PRIN 2022 Call, LS8 sector “Environmental Biology, Ecology, and Evolution”
Involved Personnel
Francesco Colloca, Principal investigator
Manfredi Di Lorenzo, Experienced Researcher
Stefano Moro, Post-doc
