PAST

The COISPA Foundation ETS, as a Research Organization and Beneficiary Entity, will implement the project:

“P.A.S.T. – Action Plan for the Improvement of Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) Fisheries According to the MSC Sustainable Fishing Standard”, within the framework of the Supply Chain Contracts Program – Fisheries Sector.

The general objective of the project is the definition and implementation of an Action Plan for improving swordfish and albacore tuna fisheries in accordance with the international Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard, with the aim of promoting the environmental, economic, and management sustainability of the fisheries involved.

The specific objectives include:

• improving biological knowledge (age, maturity, demographic structure);

• studying vertical and geographical migrations through satellite telemetry;

• assessing post-release survival of undersized specimens and bycatch species;

• testing bycatch mitigation measures (e.g., circle hooks);

• carrying out a pre-assessment according to the MSC standard and defining

the related Action Plan.

For each specific objective, dedicated technical-scientific reports will be prepared, including methodology, results, and management recommendations.

These reports will be published within this webpage of the official website of COISPA Foundation.

Past project is in accordance with ICCAT Recommendations 16-05 and 21-06, which call for the strengthening of scientific data to support the sustainable management of overexploited stocks. The 24-month research project involves the collection of biological samples (anal fin rays and gonads) for age, size, and maturity assessments, and the use of pop-up satellite telemetry tags to investigate vertical and horizontal migrations, post-release survival, and habitat use.

Tagging operations will be carried out in collaboration with fishing fleets from Acireale, Riposto, Pozzallo, Giardini Naxos, Messina, Reggio Calabria, and the Aeolian Islands, using selected vessels. Data transmitted from satellite sensors and collected from fishing logbooks will be analyzed to validate key biological parameters, estimate post-release mortality, and assess the impacts of traditional and mesopelagic longline fisheries.

Expected outcomes include seasonal maps of migratory routes, reproductive and preferred habitats, the validation of biological parameters, and the development of a final report containing management recommendations for sustainable fisheries.

Furthermore, the project seeks to promote environmentally responsible fishing practices, engaging fishermen and coastal communities to strengthen participatory governance and environmental awareness within the Mediterranean large pelagic fisheries sector.

Preliminary and final results of the project will be progressively published during its implementation and, in full form, by the conclusion of project activities, tentatively scheduled for the second half of 2028.

It is specified that the project results, in the form of detailed activity reports for each specific objective, will be made freely available online and accessible to all companies operating in the large pelagic fisheries sector and related subsectors concerned, without access restrictions, for a period of no less than five years from the conclusion of the project, in compliance with applicable regulations.

Any scientific publications resulting from the research activities will be published in “open access” mode in order to ensure the widest possible dissemination and accessibility of the results.