Protecting bull rays – and mussel farming
Can innovative deterrents help protected rays and mussel farmers coexist? A remarkable aggregation of bullrays (Aetomylaeus bovinus) has recently appeared off Trieste, attracting widespread attention. While the presence of this Critically Endangered species is encouraging from a conservation perspective, it has also created an unexpected challenge: the rays have begun feeding extensively on mussels grown […]
LIFE Platform Meeting in Valencia
Belated thanks to the LIFE Programme for inviting LIFE European Sharks to present at the LIFE Platform Meeting in Valencia last week. We were asked how sharks and rays can be meaningfully integrated into the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Our view is that restoration efforts and much needed community engagement should concentrate on critical areas for these species — […]
Croatia bans sport and recreational fishing for sharks and rays
Croatia bans sport and recreational fishing for sharks and rays in landmark step for Mediterranean conservation Split, 13 May 2026. Croatia has officially banned sport and recreational fishing for all sharks and rays, marking a major conservation milestone for the Adriatic Sea and the wider Mediterranean region. The new regulation – included in the Croatian […]
Mediterranean round table on shark conservation
On 18 December 2025, a structured online Mediterranean Roundtable convened implementation‑experienced experts to translate the Draft Updated Action Plan for the Conservation of Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the Mediterranean (2025–2030) (UNEP/MAP – SPA/RAC, 2025) into an early delivery pathway. The roundtable – organised by Mer and iSea within the eLIFE project – gathered 96 participants […]
the power of charismatic sharks
The Power of Charismatic Sharks: Saving the Overlooked and the Unprotected Great whites, mobulas and the other protected species are the core of our activities. But thanks to these charismatic species, we can also work on the many overlooked sharks and rays that are just as threatened, yet still receive no legal protection. A great […]
Sharks take centre stage in Olbia
Thousands of visitors – including over 500 students – dived into the world of sharks at the large exhibition organised by LIFE European Sharks, Life Prometheus and WWF Italy on the Olbia seafront during #MedFest. Inside a spectacular blue-lit dome, a giant screen projected images of sharks and rays in their natural habitat.Panels introduced visitors […]
A haven for little sharks
The haven of small-spotted catsharks: Le Formiche di Grosseto. Here you can find small-spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula): smaller than leopard catsharks, they live at much greater depths. Le Formiche di Grosseto is one of the few places in the Mediterranean where technical divers can observe them regularly – provided they dive to depths of over […]
Cacciucco dell’amicizia
The Livorno Aquarium took part in the ‘Il Cacciucco dell’amicizia’ evening at the Montallegro Orlandi restaurant in Montenero for a sustainable cacciucco without smoothhound shark!
perfect little sharks
The Livorno Aquarium is taking part in Festambiente Legambiente 2025.As part of its ongoing commitment to raising awareness and conserving the marine environment, the Livorno Aquarium presented a fun educational activity designed for young people: ‘perfect little sharks’. Continua la partecipazione dell’ Acquario di Livorno a Festambiente Legambiente 2025. Nell’ ambito del proprio costante impegno nella […]
Shark-free cacciucco on Nat TV!
The shark-free cacciucco on Linea Blu, the popular TV show about the sea on Rai1, thanks to our ambassador Marina from the Alle Vettovaglie restaurant. Since the smoothhound shark has disappeared from the waters around Livorno, and the nursehound shark is also struggling, sensitive restaurateurs like them have decided to stop putting it on their […]
