September 2025 n. 2
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Tracking Sharks to Protect the Catalan Sea.
The Mediterranean is home to many shark and ray species, but most are threatened by accidental capture, especially from pelagic longline fishing, and climate change. Populations of iconic predators like the blue shark, thresher shark, and shortfin mako have declined by over 90%. Their loss destabilizes marine ecosystems, where they play a key role in regulating food webs.
To address this, the COTI project was launched in autumn 2024 by researchers from ICM-CSIC, MNCN-CSIC, and the Fundació Zoo de Barcelona, in collaboration with professional fishing vessels and the Catalan Association for Responsible Fishing. One of its main actions is tagging pelagic sharks with electronic tracking devices to study their movements and habitat use.
This research exemplifies how science and fisheries can work together to protect vulnerable marine predators while minimizing socioeconomic impacts.
May 2025 n. 1
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Discover how human activity is reshaping the Catalan Sea in this article.
Over the past two decades, the Catalan coast has experienced a dramatic surge in marine and coastal activities—a phenomenon referred to as the “great acceleration.” From a doubling in cargo transport and a 50% increase in coastal hotel capacity to an eightfold rise in desalination and a fivefold increase in nautical moorings, the pressure on marine ecosystems has intensified. Despite technological advances, fish catches have dropped by 50%, signaling a decline in marine resources.
The article highlights the urgent need for integrated marine planning and ecosystem-based management. European projects like GES4SEAS and MarinePlan are working to assess cumulative impacts and develop spatial planning tools to guide sustainable marine use. Scientists are striving to provide policymakers with the best available data, even if incomplete, to support informed decisions in a rapidly changing ecosystem.
As marine activities continue to grow, the challenge lies in choosing between a coordinated transition or a chaotic transformation. This piece is a compelling call to rethink how we interact with the sea and to embrace adaptive strategies for the future.
February 2025
Explore the fascinating world of past marine ecosystems in this article by Maria Bas, postdoctoral researcher at the Institut de Ciències del Mar, Konstantina Agiadi, principal investigator at the University of Vienna, and Daniela Leal, JAE-Intro 2024 master’s student at the Institut de Ciències del Mar. The study focuses on the analysis of ancient marine ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on the fossilized remains of Mediterranean fish. By examining sediment samples from Crete, which are around one million years old, the researchers aim to uncover valuable insights about past ocean conditions, helping us better understand how ecosystems have evolved.
The article discusses the importance of studying marine ecosystems from the past to predict the impacts of future climate change on modern oceans. By analyzing ancient records, such as historical documents, archaeological findings, and ocean sediment cores, the study provides a unique perspective on the effects of extreme climate events, like marine heatwaves, and their role in shaping marine biodiversity.
Don’t miss this insightful exploration into how studying the past can inform our understanding of current and future oceanic changes!
September 2024 n. 42
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Explore the fascinating world of marine food webs in this article by Marta Coll, senior researcher, Claudia Aparicio, and Sara Mohamed Santamaría, technical staff at the Department of Renewable Resources at the Institut de Ciències del Mar. The study delves into how marine species interact through complex feeding relationships, from primary producers like algae to top predators such as sharks. Understanding these connections is crucial to maintaining marine ecosystem balance and ensuring sustainable resource management. With key insights into how climate change, overfishing, and pollution can affect these networks, the article highlights the importance of preserving vital species and ecosystems. It also outlines advanced tools and methods used in the study of marine food webs, including stomach content analysis, stable isotope analysis, and DNA barcoding. Don’t miss it!
June 2024 n. 41
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Explore the essential link between fisheries management and the value chain of fish in this article by Miquel Ortega and Marta Coll, researchers at the Institut de Ciències del Mar. Through an innovative approach, the study examines how decisions in fishing impact not only the marine ecosystem but also all stakeholders involved, from wholesalers to restaurants. With revealing results on wealth and job generation, this article highlights the importance of integrating all actors in decision-making to achieve sustainable fishing in Catalonia. Don’t miss this essential read for the future of our seas!
March 2024 n. 40
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Discover the importance of local ecological knowledge in the management of our marine resources. This article explores how collaboration between scientists and Catalan fishermen can provide valuable data on the state of our fisheries. As we face challenges such as climate change and the lack of updated data, the experiences and observations of fishing communities become a key tool for understanding and predicting the evolution of our ecosystems. Learn how this synergy can help ensure a sustainable supply of local, high-quality fish. Don’t miss it!
Desember 2023 n.39
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Discover the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems in this insightful article. Just as we experience heat waves, marine organisms are affected by changing environmental conditions, influencing their distribution, reproductive cycles, and abundance. Recent studies indicate significant shifts in the Mediterranean, especially along the Catalan coast, with potential socioeconomic consequences. Species like swordfish and sardines are being displaced, while new species are emerging. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing strategies to adapt and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on our fisheries. Don’t miss this essential discussion!
October 2023 n.38
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Sustainable fishing in the Mediterranean is key to balancing species and habitat conservation with fishing needs. This article explores the success of the no-take zone established in Palamós and Roses in 2017 (Catalonia, Spain) to restore the population of the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and its habitat. Through experimental fishing and electronic tagging, it was shown that the no-take zone increased the abundance and biomass of Norway lobsters and other species. Additionally, a positive effect was observed in adjacent areas, demonstrating how no-take zones contribute to long-term fisheries sustainability and marine conservation.
June 2023 n.37
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Seabirds play a crucial yet often overlooked role in marine ecosystems, heavily influenced by fishing activities. This article delves into the interaction between seabirds and fishing vessels, particularly the impact of fishery discards as a significant food source for species like the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) and Audouin’s gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii). As EU regulations move toward banning fishery discards, seabird populations may face challenges. Using GPS tracking technology, researchers have studied how seabirds adapt their behavior to fishing activities. Understanding these interactions is vital to mitigating the effects of reducing fishery discards on marine bird populations.
March 2023 n.36
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Seasonal cycles not only affect land-based activities but also influence marine life. This article explores how seasonality impacts the body condition, spatial distribution, and diet of key commercial fish species in the Mediterranean. For example, hake, one of the most harvested species, shows seasonal differences in its diet, with adults consuming more crustaceans in summer than in winter. Pelagic species like sardines and anchovies also exhibit changes in body fat levels, with sardines accumulating energy between April and October to prepare for winter reproduction. Understanding these seasonal patterns helps predict how species might respond to environmental changes.