Acronym: SECRETS
Analysis of elasmobranchs in Calabrian waters
Coordinator/Lead Partner: Genoa Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnologies, Italy
Principal Investigator(s): Massimiliano Bottaro
Partnership: University of Calabria
Funding body and amount: Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR)
Total budget: 45,000 €
Grant period: November 2021 - October 2023
Project in a nutshell:
SECRETS from CALABRIA aims at investigating the biology and ecology of the elasmo-fauna of the Calabrian seas, with particular attention to the assessment of any environmental contamination caused by anthropic impact. Specific scientific objectives are: 1) the use of parasites and bioaccumulation of trace elements to define the health status of elasmobranchs; 2) the analysis of the accumulation of trace elements to obtain information on the use of the space and on any migrations by species.
Sampling of cartilaginous fish (both pelagic and demersal) will be carried out seasonally in both maritime sectors of Calabria: they will be taken from the fraction of incidental catches made by professional fishing vessels, with which the project will actively collaborate.
The samples taken will then be analyzed at the DiBEST of UNICAL and at the CRIMAC-SZN.
Contacts: massimiliano.bottaro(at)szn.it