Preserving the Aeolian Sea with Blue Marine Foundation
The AIPF together with Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE), is working to support sustainable fishing, restore fish stocks, reduce pollution and protect rare marine habitats and species. This project is overseen by BLUE’s project manager, Rory Moore and local project coordinator Dr. Giulia Bernardi.
KEY ACTIVITIES
- Development of a voluntary fishing ‘code of conduct’ with 30 local fishermen to promote low-impact, sustainable and responsible fishing.
- Fishermen exchange programs with other small-scale fishing communities in Italy.
- Helping guide effective management measures and providing tangible infrastructure and equipment in the form of ice machines and reusable, insulated fish boxes to improve quality of fish and reduce polystyrene waste.
- Campaign to make Salina free from plastic shopping bags by distributing thousands of ‘More Fish – Less Plastic’ reusable BLUE bags.
- The renovation of a rescue and rehabilitation centre for endangered loggerhead turtles in Filicudi; an education program for all local children to improve the recovery and rescue of injured or threatened sea turtles, and supporting volunteers who monitored turtle nests, with Filicudi Wildlife Conservation.
-
- Education programme with Kurma Association for 12 students experiencing the world of sustainable fishing and typical traditional Aeolian fishing techniques.
- A guide to Aeolian archipelago’s sea by Kurma Association, with topics such as marine ecology, current regulations on professional and sports fishing, the biological characteristics of the most commercialised marine species on the islands, and the traditional local recipes.
- Research and information campaigns about the importance of protecting the Posidonia (precious carbon absorbing Mediterranean seagrass) and a recreational boating code of conduct; a fish calendar of the best Aeolian fish to eat, in partnership with Capofaro Resort.
- Multimedia campaigns, and educational programmes stressing the importance of preserving our sea and promoting the sustainable use of marine resources.
- A launch event where the Ministry of Environment, Land, and Sea announced their support for a marine protected area (MPA) in the Aeolian Islands.
- A think-tank involving international marine protection NGOs, Lonely Whale Foundation, Oceana and Sea Shepherd.
