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CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE (CNR)

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The CNR-IRBIM branch in Mazara del Vallo, Italy, advances marine science through research in fisheries, biodiversity, and socioeconomic analysis within the Mediterranean. In the SEA4Future project, the team focuses on developing energy-efficient fishing gear, mitigating ecosystem impacts, and facilitating the sustainable transition of local fishing communities.

CNR-IRBIM leads WP3: Multi-scale and Multi-Gear Innovative Technologies, dedicated to developing and testing innovative fishing gears and tools that help reduce the environmental impacts of fishing activities. Working closely with fishers and other stakeholders, contributes to solutions that improve fishing selectivity, reduce bycatch, protect vulnerable species, and support more sustainable fisheries across Europe. CNR actively contributes to all other SEA4FUTURE work packages, bringing its extensive scientific expertise to support the project's research, innovation, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Meet the Team

Michele Luca Geraci - Is a marine biologist and fisheries scientist dedicated to sustainable marine resource management in the Mediterranean Sea. His research focuses heavily on mitigating fishing impacts on ecosystems, reducing bycatch, and conserving vulnerable species like elasmobranchs. By bridging pure science and practical management, Dr. Geraci develops innovative, low-impact fishing technologies. He utilizes long-term trawl survey data to evaluate stock dynamics, fishery collapses, and fleet economics. Additionally, he documents marine biodiversity, tracking alien, rare, and non-indigenous species in the Strait of Sicily to monitor shifting ecosystem trends.

ORCID

Sergio Vitale – Expert in marine ecology and fisheries science, with a focus on sustainable resource use, energy‑efficient fishing technologies, and the decarbonisation of Mediterranean fleets. His work integrates historical‑ecological analysis and digital monitoring tools to support modern fisheries management.

ORCID 

Fabio Fiorentino - Specialist in biology and ecology of fishery resources and strategies for the sustainable exploitation of marine renewable resources. Responsible of research projects on fishery data collection, stock assessment and management in the Mediterranean Sea.

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6302-649X

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Fabio Falsone - Fisheries scientist primarily focused on fisheries assessment and management in the Mediterranean Sea, with expertise in quantitative and modelling approaches. Actively involved in the development of low-impact fishing technologies and international advisory processes.

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1754-4226

Vita Gancitano - Fisheries scientist primarily focused on demersal resource biology and biological data processing, assessment and management of main target species in the Strait of Sicily. I’m also involved in monitoring bycatch and on the biology, reproduction and age and growth of elasmobranchs.

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9623-6621

Germana Garofalo - Marine scientist with expertise in Species Distribution Modelling, Essential Fish Habitat identification, and population connectivity, aimed at supporting ecosystem-based fisheries management and marine spatial planning.

Valentina Lauria - PhD, Researcher at IRBIM CNR & Marine EcologistExpert in numerical ecology, spatial analyses, species distribution modeling, and habitat mapping. Her research focuses on marine species and communities, analyzing their spatial structures, environmental relationships, and human impacts, such as fishing pressures.Recently, she has modeled and mapped vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea to support conservation planning. She has contributed to several key European and national projects (including CHARM 2, NEPHROPS, MERP-IMMERSE, DECCMA, RITMARE) addressing spatial planning, species distribution limits, and climate change impacts on marine productivity. Notably, she served as Principal Investigator for the international project MADAMES (2016-2020).

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4179-9133

Daniela Massi - Technologist at IRBIM-CNR in Mazara del Vallo (Trapani, Italy) and Marine Biologist. She specializes in the biology and systematics of cephalopods, the systematics of benthic mega-invertebrates of soft bottoms, and the diet analysis of teleosts and cephalopods. She is an official member of the taxonomist team registered by the CNR. Furthermore, she has authored numerous scientific papers in national and international journals, as well as technical reports on the biodiversity and biology of Mediterranean marine species.