First meeting of Mediterranean partners to coordinate a response to Pinna nobilis crisis
33 researchers and representatives from the public administrations from 13 Mediterranean countries engaged in an online meeting facilitated by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥-Med, to present the latest mortality data and progress to recover the Critically Endangered (CR) populations of Pinna nobilis, now included on the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Red List of Threatened Speciesâ„¢.
The latest status of Mediterranean Pinna nobilis populations
Since 2016, a mortality outbreak has led to the decline of the Noble Pen ShellÌý(Pinna nobilis) population. The disease originally attributed to a haplosporidian parasite has continued to expand rapidly throughout the Mediterranean. Only a few populations are known to remain pathogen-free. However, these are geographically isolated and located in sites with very specific environmental conditions.
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Harmonising a Mediterranean response to the mortality outbreak
The purpose of theÌýonline meeting facilitated by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥-MedÌýwas to present the current status ofÌýPinna nobilisÌýpopulations across all Mediterranean countries, as well as sharing knowledge on the different infectious diseases affecting the populations, alongside with conservation measures and rescue attempts, learnings from these initiatives, experiences maintaining individuals in aquaculture facilities, the role of unaffected populations and in-door juveniles for potential recovery.
During the first session, both governmental and non-governmental institutions presented the results of their monitoring efforts, including mortality and survival estimates, distribution, conservation measures underway and rescue attempts in different zones.
The second session, moderated by Ìýfocused on the conservation ofÌýPinna nobilisÌýin captivity conditions, such as aquariums, and research in the field of aquaculture.
The closing session highlighted the role of unaffected populations for a potential recovery, established with a network of larval collector stations to enhance larval dispersal from unaffected sites and potential recolonization through recruitment of resistant juveniles.
Several participants called for MediterraneanÌýcountries and ministries to involve in action.
A report of this meeting will be available on the web in late January.
For further information or if you would like to contribute to this initiative, please contactÌýMarÃa del Mar Otero.