The research and innovation of the Life Delfi project in the spotlight at the second EU Blue Parks Community workshop. Experts, researchers, members of authorities and institutions from all over the world gathered in Brussels in recent days for the second meeting organised by Eu Blue Parks as part of the European mission to restore our oceans and seas by 2030. The aim of the workshop is to promote the effective management of marine protected areas and share case studies and good practices.
The European Life Delfi project also took part in the workshop with the participation of Alessandro Lucchetti (CNR-IRBIM), the project coordinator, who presented the experiences emerged from the activities carried out to reduce interactions between professional fishing and protected species in Marine Protected Areas. In particular, two European projects funded by the EU LIFE programme were illustrated as case studies: Tartalife and Life Delfi.
In particular, two European projects funded by the European Union's LIFE programme were illustrated: Tartalife and Life Delfi. Lucchetti, during the presentation, explained how in both cases the involvement, information and awareness-raising of fishermen was fundamental. In fact, the role of the Info Desks activated with Life Delfi in the various target areas of the project was highlighted: the Adriatic Sea, the Tyrrhenian Sea and Sicily and Sardinia. Their general objective is to support fishermen in the administrative and financial path towards the new funding opportunities offered by the future FEAMPA 2021-2027 OP. In addition, the desks made possible a wide dissemination of innovative pingers (acoustic deterrents), visual deterrents and alternative gear (creels) designed to reduce fishing-dolphin interactions. Another key to fishermen's engagement has been dolphin watching courses, a potential alternative source of income.
During the day, the documentary ‘Life Delfi, a conflict to be solved’ made by director Roberto Lo Monaco and narrated by populariser Barbascura X was also screened. The film, available on YouTube, recounts the ecological, social and economic issues of interactions with dolphins and the project activities implemented to improve coexistence at sea between dolphins and professional fishing.