PROJECTS
LIFE OASIS
Mitigating the negative interactions of protected species with marine litter and
pelagic fisheries of the Mediterranean
Reference number: LIFE23-NAT-ES-LIFEOASIS – 101148343
Duration: 2024 – 2029


Keywords: Risk mitigation and managment, aFAD, Mediterranean Sea, Sustainable fisheries, Sea turtles.
The Mediterranean, a hotspot for biodiversity and fishing activity, faces a significant challenge: each year, thousands of sea turtles get entangled in abandoned or lost fishing gear (ALDFG), an issue closely linked to Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing practices. This crisis affects biodiversity, fisheries’ sustainability, and navigators’ maritime safety. To address this problem, LIFE OASIS has emerged as a pioneering project combining technology, research, and direct collaboration with the fishing and marine sectors.
A threat that jeopardizes the recovery of species like the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). From 2024 to 2029, the project will engage a variety of stakeholders in the development of innovative, sustainable solutions to protect marine biodiversity and promote responsible fishing practices.
LIFE OASIS emphasizes collaboration with artisanal fishers, navigators, and patrol boats, recognizing them as custodians of the sea in activities like sea turtle rescue, reporting and recovering ALDFG.
LIFE OASIS uses the artisanal Mediterranean anchored FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) fisheries of Malta, Italy and Spain as a laboratory to create replicable solutions for improving ocean conservation and fostering sustainable fisheries throughout the Mediterranean and other regions.
Partner role
Spatial Marine Lab members are engaged in differenrt research activities within the OASIS project, including sea turtle bio-logging and movement ecology, mapping fishing effort, and assessing the interaction between these factors to identify entanglement risk areas.
Team Members

David March
Distinguished Researcher

Javier Menéndez-Blázquez
PhD Student
PARTNERS
Funding

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
CONTACT US
Unitat de Zoologia Marina
Parc Científic de la Universitat de València
Calle Catedrático José Beltrán 2,
46980 Paterna (València), Spain