Scientific watch

The global extent of marine protected areas (MPAs) is increasing, yet non-native species (NNS) are a critically overlooked stressor that threatens MPA conservation goals. Despite the evidence that marine NNS affect protected species and habitats, there is limited understanding of

The distributions of migratory species in the ocean span local, national and international jurisdictions. Across these ecologically interconnected regions, migratory marine species interact with anthropogenic stressors throughout their lives. Population declines of many migratory marine species have led to calls

In coastal waters around the world, the dominant primary producers are benthic macrophytes, including seagrasses and macroalgae, that provide habitat structure and food for diverse and abundant biological communities and drive ecosystem processes. Seagrass meadows and macroalgal forests play key

In the Mediterranean Sea, brown algae belonging to the Cystoseira genus play a valuable role as foundation species. Due to evidences of regression/loss of the habitats of these species caused by the interplay of human and climatic disturbances, active restoration

Understanding marine mammal distributions in essential for conservation, as it can help identify critical habitat where management action can be taken. The semi enclosed Gulf of Corinth (Greece) has been identified as an Important Marine Mammal Area by the International

Loggerhead turtles are among the most threatened marine megafauna worldwide, mainly because fishery-related incidental captures. The northern Adriatic Sea is one of the most overfished basins of the Mediterranean Sea and it supports a very valuable marine biodiversity, including sea

Historical information of marine organisms needs to be incorporated to develop effective management plans and conservation targets. In the Mediterranean Sea most species of brown seaweeds of the order Fucales are threatened or endangered and need protection. This study merged

Shallow-water marine organisms are among the first to suffer from combined effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers. The orange coral Astroides calycularis is a shallow-water bioconstructor species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Although this species raises conservation interest, information about

There is a controversy in the literature on marine protected areas (MPAs) over the way their outcomes are portrayed in terms of winners and losers. On the one hand, many analysts have portrayed MPAs as win-win solutions, resulting in both

In the Mediterranean Sea, gorgonians are among the main habitat-forming species of benthic communities on the continental shelf and slope, playing an important ecological role in coral gardens. Since gorgonians are long-lived and slow-growing species, impacts derived from fishing activities