“The study, protection and possible breeding of pen shell (Pinna nobilis) in the Boka Kotorska Bay” –PinnaSPOT

Scientific research project PinnaSPOT is the product of international collaboration established between the Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro (leading partner), partners from Spain (The Catholic University of Valencia ”San Vicente Martyr” - Marine Research Institute IMEDMAR) and France (Oceanographic institute Paul Ricard), and also the Petrovic Njegos Foundation from Montenegro as honorary partner. The project is approved for funding by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in amount of 270.000 euro, while the total value of the project is 551.250 euro.  Realization of the project started on April 1^st, 2016 and it will end on March 31^st, 2019.

Background

In Boka Kotorska Bay there is an inadequate implementation of regulations in the marine environment. There are too many examples of soil disposal in seawater as a consequence of construction activities along the coast. Also, the city of Kotor, as regional nautical tourism destination, contributes to increased number of cruisers with the consequence of rapid deterioration of seawater quality by the re-suspension of the sediment. Considering the unfavourable trends in terms of environmental protection of the sea in Montenegro, we believe that it is necessary to implement the protection of emblematic endangered marine species present in Kotor Bay such as Pinna nobilis and the endangered marine environments where they live (seagrasses of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa). Accordingly, it is necessary to increase social awareness on the urgent necessity of marine environment protection. P. nobilis is the largest bivalve of the Mediterranean Sea and one of the largest of the world.

The deterioration of the marine environment, the collection of shells for food, fishing and souvenirs, the excessive sediment re-suspension, and pollution, have reduced the numbers of this emblematic species. Nowadays, the species is endangered and has been protected in many countries and by EU laws (ANNEX II of the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biodiversity in the Mediterranean of the Barcelona Convention and ANNEX IV of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (EC Habitats Directive).

However, there are no studies on the ecology and ecophysiology, genetics and population dynamics of P. nobilis in Boka Kotorska Bay so far. Our challenges are to study its populations in a global context (comparing the results with monitoring programs in Monaco, France and Spain), educate the public, and collaborate with the different stakeholders in the development of protection and conservation strategies of the marine environment of Boka Kotorska Bay.

Objectives

The overall project goal is improving the knowledge on the endangered Mediterranean endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis and the valuable environments where it inhabits in Boka Kotorska Bay for the implementation of regulations in the context of environmental impact assessment procedures.

Specific objectives:

• Studying the population structure, population dynamics and the ecophysiology of Pinna nobilis as a response to the main environmental stressors occurring in Boka Kotorska Bay
• Monitoring of the environmental parameters of the sites where P. nobilis inhabits
• Comparative study of Pinna nobilis genetics
• Implementing educational and divulgation programs involving the public and the different stakeholders
• Implementation of the conservation strategy

Activities

• Census of P. nobilis individuals in Boka Kotorska Bay, Monaco, France and Spain. Collection of empty shells for growth studies
• Installation of larvae collectors in Boka Kotorska Bay, Monaco, France and Spain
• Study P. nobilis hatchery in captivity and studying the response of P. nobilis to variations in salinity
• Characterising sediment type, intensity of re-suspension of the sediment and its percentage of organic matter
• Studying the structure and condition of the seagrasses of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa inhabited by the populations the of Pinna nobilis monitored in the present project
• Studying the annual variations of temperature, salinity and O2 concentration in water
• Characterising the genetic diversity and variability among the populations of P. nobilis living in Montenegro, Monaco, France and Spain
• Schools will be invited to the Research Institutes where talks and activities will be implemented to inform about the project and about the necessity of protection of the marine environment
• We will work together with national governmental institutions on the preparation of management and protection plans for P. nobilisin Boka Kotorska Bay, according to the data gathered in the project

Anticipated results

• Data on density, distribution and size/age structure of P. nobilis populations in Boka Kotorska Bay, Monaco, France and Spain. We will know what populations are healthier, which ones are more endangered and their resilience
• Data on the success/fail of recruitment of P. nobilis in the areas studied. We will complete the process for obtaining P. nobilislarvae in captivity. These larvae may be used to recover areas were P. nobilis has disappeared due to human impacts, but also for the development of manipulative studies (e.g. for studying the effects of pollutants, acidification or climate change on P. nobilissurvival)
• Data on cardiac activity of P. nobilis. With this information it will be possible to understand level of risk for the health of fan mussels in relation to the variations in salinity occurring in Boka Kotorska Bay
• Data on characterising and monitoring the environment enables the understanding of what are the better conditions for the survival of P. nobilis. It is also useful for the understanding of the impacts on P. nobilis populations derived from the variation of these environmental parameters due to human actions such as sewage water disposal, sand nourishment and coastal construction
• We expect to observe specific genetic adaptations in the populations of P. nobilis living in Boka Kotorska Bay, which would support the importance of these populations
• Education of the public, in particular the local community, about the importance of protecting the pen shell (P. nobilis) as well as to promoting the new opportunities for environmental protection of the Boka Kotorska Bay ecosystem
• Data on ecological importance of P. nobilis populations will be used for the planning of future protected areas in Boka Kotorska Bay. We expect to reduce direct impacts on the species, such as collection of shells as souvenirs. In collaboration with governmental associations, we expect to improve the awareness of the public on the fragility of the marine environment and the necessity of reducing human impacts on it

Acknowledgement: The project benefits from the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation http//www.fpa2.com

This document was produced with the financial assistance of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The contents of this document are solely the liability of Institute of Marine Biology Kotor and under no circumstances may be considered as a reflection of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's position.

Contact:

PhD Danijela Joksimović - project manager

Tel./Fax: +382 32 334 570

E-mail: danijela.j@ac.me