Giorgio De Simone
The marine biologist Paolo Balistreri explains what is “Aliens in the sea”, a project participated in science and culture that will last for two years and consists of the collection of data on a group of 19 alien species, plant and animal, in Sicilian waters including the small islands surrounding it, in order to follow the spread and also create a database of distribution and threat levels.
The project aims, Furthermore, It aims to raise awareness and categories most affected (fishermen, sports, boaters ...), to the problem of biological invasions through a correct information.
Meeting Paul during a crossing by hydrofoil from Trapani and Favignana, where the project which is centered Dr.. Balistreri is one of the referents.
Paolo, When and why was born Alien In The Sea ?
The project "Aliens in the sea" was born in the fall of 2017 from an idea developed together with Prof.a Anna Maria Mannino, University of Palermo, I work for several years on topics related to marine biodiversity, with particular reference to that of the Egadi Islands. The project builds on the Project Caulerpa cylindracea Egadi Islands, intended to indicate the presence in egadini seabed alien green alga, coming from Australia and New Caledonia. “Aliens in the sea”, instead, it concerns 19 alien species, animal and plant. Among the species of interest we are, Besides Caulerpa cylindracea, the jellyfish Rhopilema nomadica, reported in the waters of Levanzo and Favignana and fish "brass minnow" Kyphosus vaigensis.
From the site I read that it is a shared project in which citizens can participate: how and when they can do it ?
And, it is a "Citizen Science Project" which is an outreach project, dissemination and data collection with the active involvement of citizens. The citizens, through meetings, social media and other information channels are informed about the various projects and encouraged to participate actively in the data collection. All those that interface with platforms that sponsor "Aliens in the sea", now present in several websites of organizations such as A.M.P Egadi Islands and Capo Carbonara, museums and diving, as well as with the facebook page "project" Aliens in the Sea "can request a leaflet pdf already explained all about the project. With regard to plants of interest are asked to describe, with the aid of a frame 20×20, coverage, ie as substrate coat. In the poster a coverage range printed. For animals are asked to indicate the number of individuals. It 'important that the information is accompanied by a photographic documentation that serves the purpose of verification of information.
So far from the project start we were surveyed in addition to other alien species 19 ? And if one of these how many citizens reported ?
Currently it has been reported only species of interest in the Project. The initiative thanks to the contributions of the citizens is catching on and we see that the interest is constantly increasing.
Paolo, once the project is finished, what will serve this data, who will serve and how will they be used ?
All information will be used to increase knowledge on marine biodiversity present in our seas, to create a database shared with other colleagues who deal with alien species also in order to identify possible strategies for mitigating any impacts that alien species have on indigenous communities. The active citizen science projects on the Italian territory and European make an important contribution in terms of scientific research but also on the training and education plan.
Thanks to Paolo Balistreri I wish him a good job together with Prof. Anna Maria Mannino, University of Palermo.
To learn more, consult the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Progetto-Aliens-in-the-sea-699458823457040/
Below you can download the poster of the Project in Italian and English.
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