Aree Protette Alpi Cozie

Monitoraggio

Sopralluoghi

Sopralluogo sul Lago Grande di Avigliana

Monitoraggio

Sopralluoghi

Sopralluogo sul Lago Grande di Avigliana

The project aims to counteract the spread and further introductions of the European catfish Silurus glanis in southern Europe, where it is an invasive alien species, contributing to the implementation of EU Regulation IAS no. 1143/2014 in lakes in southern Europe.

An early detection system based on environmental DNA (eDNA) will be tested and developed in 48 lakes in Italy and Portugal; the same system will be tested in 2 lakes in the Czech Republic as a reference condition in environments where the species is native and where it is welcome as a native species.

eDNA data will be integrated with citizen science data.

In 10 selected lakes, where the species is widespread and abundant, different capture methodologies are being tested to select the most selective and effective capture method, which will then be applied to reduce the catfish biomass by 90% in 5 small and isolated Natura 2000 lakes, by at least 10% in large lakes and reservoirs, and by 50% in small reservoirs, involving at least 130 commercial fishermen and 100 fishermen in these activities.

Mass awareness campaigns are being organized especially for fishermen (at least 400,000), but also for the general public, aiming to reach 1 million people by the end of the project, including 12,000 school children.

Protocols and good practices are being transferred to at least 15 management authorities to be integrated into their management plans, especially for Natura 2000 sites.

To replicate the project results, a Southern Europe Catfish Management Group (SEMG) has been created. Furthermore, to support the project's objectives where the catfish invasion is more advanced (e.g., in northern Italy), the creation of a local circular economy is proposed, seeking the best solution to make catfish more desirable and thus increasing fishing pressure on catfish, encouraging consumption as food.

The catfish removed during control campaigns will be used to prepare meals sold at fair prices by social cooperatives to at least 1,000 people with socio-economic problems.

The project also aims to involve the local population and stakeholders who can share concrete experiences and play a decisive role in achieving the objectives. For this reason, a series of questionnaires have been created for professional fishermen, recreational fishermen, and citizens who have the opportunity to contribute actively with their direct knowledge in identifying opportunities and challenges in the fight against the spread of the catfish.

Please help us collect information as much as possible by completing the online questionnaire!

For more information, please write to info@lifepredator.eu

The LIFE PREDATOR project - "PREvent, Detect and combAT the spread Of Silurus glanis in south european lakes to protect biodiversity" is funded by the European LIFE Programme: Call 2021: LIFE-2021-SAP-NAT - Topic: LIFE-2021-SAP-NAT-NATURE