Italy’s support to the Cetacean National Stranding Database
Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security
(
Government
)
#OceanAction58800
Description
In line with the long-lasting engagement of Italy to the protection and conservation of cetaceans and in accordance with the commitments made under the Pelagos and ACCOBAMS Agreements, Italy intends to improve knowledge on spatial and temporal pattern of strandings in its territories, as well as on the underlying causes. Currently, data on cetaceans strandings is being collected unevenly along the national territory due to differences in the operational protocols, in the technical skills of the operators involved and in the available reporting tools. This limits both a comparative analysis at national level and the ability to draw reliable conclusions on possible causes and effects.
The Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security intends to substantially improve the acquisition, quality, completeness and uniformity of data on cetaceans strandings along the national coast by financing a project which aims to integrate a digital approach with a training component, addressed to the entities and operators who first intervene in case of stranding events (Port Authorities, Local Health Units, Zooprofilactic Institutes, Regional Agencies for Environmental Protection, etc.).
The strengthening of technological tools (e.g. central database of strandings) and the development of a mobile application for field data collection, will speed up and standardize information entry, reduce errors and discrepancies between regions, and ensure interoperability with other national and international systems.
At the same time, the introduction of a technical training and updating programme for Port Authorities and other bodies involved will improve timeliness and reporting of the relevant interventions. This will strengthen the national monitoring network, contributing significantly to the conservation of cetacean populations through the use of scientifically reliable standardised data.
Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (government), University of Padova (Academic Institution), Museum of Natural History of Milan (Other relevant actor)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
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Cristina , Officer