TRECORALA

TRECORALA Project [Rocky outcrops and coralligenous formations in the northern Adriatic: Enhancement and sustainable management in the Gulf of Trieste]

The Interreg Ita-Slo project began in October 2012 (funded under the Italy-Slovenia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013, the European Regional Development Fund and national funds). Trecorala aims to promote the sustainable management of the “trezze” by raising awareness of these rocky outcrops along the coastal strip of the northern Adriatic Sea.
“Trezze” are rocky outcrops marked by biodiversity, affected by the action of various plant and animal builder organisms; their stratified calcareous structures can form considerably thick complexes. From a preliminary study, the total number of recorded taxa is representative of a highly valuable environmental area in the Gulf of Trieste.
Biological sampling led to the identification of 411 taxa.
These rocky outcrops are dominated by gasteropods Hexaplex trunculus and Bolinus brandaris, the crustaceans Dromia personata, Paguristes eremita, Maja crispata and Pagurus prideaux and the bony fish: Diplodus annularis, Spicara maena, Pagellus erythrinus, Trisopterus minutus, Arnoglossus thori, Monochirus hispidus, Scorpaena notata and S. porcus. The visual census recorded the presence of species of high economic and biological value, including Platichthys flesus, Zeus faber, Lithognathus mormyrus, Pagellus erythrinus, Mullus barbatus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Trigla lyra, Spondyliosoma cantharus, Soleidae, Scophthalmus rhombus, Symphodus cinereus, Spicara maena, Scorpaena scrofa, Sciaena umbra, Zeugopterus regius, Parablennius rouxi, Symphodus mediterraneus, Sparus aurata, Scorpaena porcus. Other taxa recorded are also of interest for international protection and conservation protocols; finally, the rocky outcrops also represent an important reproduction site for P. nobilis.
For these two reasons, two investigated rocky outcrops were proposed as offshore SCIs for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

The TRECORALA project aims to extend the biological knowledge of the rocky outcrops and coralligenous seabeds in the Gulf of Trieste, identifying guidelines for the management, protection and enhancement of this natural heritage, strengthening the area’s attractiveness and competitiveness and contributing to safeguarding its biodiversity. Based on information on the exploitation of fishing, the management of some resources of specific commercial interest will be proposed. The results will be disseminated through special information seminars targeting various stakeholders involved in the management of fishing and tourism activities in the sites of interest. As a final product, the project aims to develop the tools needed to support joint cross-border management of the offshore areas and develop tourism.

The preoject is envisaged by the proposing party to foster the improved “environmental knowledge” of the local community and sector workers, representing a useful tool placed at the disposal of the competent authorities for integrated sustainable management.

OBJECTIVES:

• Assessment of the state of health of the rocky outcrops (Good Ecological Status - GES)
• Evaluation of fishing activities, with the involvement of the sector workers
• Proposals for the sustainable management of some fishing resources
• Proposal for tourism development, with the active participation of the local administrations and local community associations;
• Widespread awareness raising and dissemination of results.

The scientific component of the project is coordinated by OGS (National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics) with the participation of ARPA FVG (the Environmental Protection Agency of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region), the University of Trieste – Department of Life Science, the NIB – National Institute of Biology (Pirano Biological Station), Coop. Shoreline (in charge of Natural Marine Reserve of Miramare), the Pirano Aquarium and the University of Nova Goriza. Local initiatives are assured by the participation of the municipalities of Grado, Lignano Sabbiadoro and Marano and the participation of the “Associazione Trezze di Lignano”.