M.A.R.E. Project
Biodiversity
The M.A.R.E. project was launched in December 2021 thanks to the collaboration with the One Ocean Foundation (OOF), as a scientific partner, and with the Centro Velico Caprera (CVC), as a promoter and organiser.
We have been main partners since the beginning of the project to support scientific research and, together with these two organisations, we have created a genuine partnership characterised by a deep sharing of values and medium and long-term objectives.
A team of biologists, oceanographers and chemists – on board the One catamaran, sailing for 12 weeks in the Tyrrhenian Sea – has been in charge of sampling and studying the quality of water and disseminating the culture of protection of the marine environment.
educational events
to raise awareness of the dynamics and the problems affecting the sea
beach cleaning activities
and insights on ecology and on the marine biology of the Mediterranean
sailed miles
days of out at sea
guests on board
2022 Results
The main objectives of the research carried out in 2022 focused on:
- monitoring of marine biodiversity in the Tyrrhenian Sea through molecular analysis of environmental DNA
- assessment of the presence and levels of several persistent contaminants by sampling zooplankton
- awareness-raising activities on environmental issues through Citizen Science activities
The plankton and marine DNA samples taken during the twelve weeks of the M.A.R.E. Mission were analysed by the University of Insubria.
In particular, the M.A.R.E. Project helps to complement the lack of data in the Mediterranean, both to determine the state of pollution (the pollutant levels of this study were compared with other studies related to the Mediterranean Sea), as well as to provide new baseline data for future comparisons.
| Objective | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity monitoring | Molecular analysis of 35 water samples collected for the analysis of environmental DNA and in particular, rare data-deficient and endangered species have been chosen as the subject of research | For the first time, it is possible to create new genetic markers for 10 species |
| Assessment of the presence and levels of several persistent contaminants | 54 zooplankton samples were taken and processed using the ecotoxicological analysis method in which various organic pollutants were investigated, including polychlorinated biphenyl PCBs and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane DDT, as well as the presence of trace metal levels. | The analyses confirm that polychlorinated biphenyls PCB and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane DDT, even if banned in the 70s in most European countries, due to their persistence in the environment, were found in all the samples collected, although fortunately with decreasing values. |