Save the Adriatic Sea

The Mediterranean Sea has one of the longest history of exploitation of all ocean sectors. Consequently, it is one of the most heavily impacted marine regions worldwide. Within this region a suite of conservation efforts have identified the Adriatic Sea as a top priority for improved marine conservation. The Adriatic Sea plays a fundamental role for providing marine resources and ocean services to its coastal communities and elsewhere in the Mediterranean sea. However, more than 90% of Adriatic marine resources are depleted, with the major commercial fish stocks overexploited.
The Jabuka/Pomo Pit, in the central Adriatic Sea, hosts rare habitats/assemblages such as fossil corals, oysters beds, and sea pen forests, recognized as Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and Essential Fish Habitats (EFHs) .
The Jabuka/Pomo Pit is also an important nursery and spawning area for some of the most valuable commercial fish stocks in the Mediterranean, including the European hake, Norway lobster, horned octopus and the monkfish.
For too long this critical site has been impacted by bottom trawling, with major negative impacts not only on the exploited species, but also on the structure and function of the benthic habitats and the whole ecosystem. In fact, it is widely recognized that bottom trawling has devastating effects on benthic marine ecosystems, destroying sea life and key habitats along trawling paths, altering the seafloor, and depleting fish and invertebrate stocks. Its effects on the sea floor and associated marine ecosystems are comparable to forest clearcutting on land.
Given the high biological diversity and productivity of the Adriatic Sea, and its economic and social importance for the whole Mediterranean region, we believe that promoting the recovery and conservation of this basin is crucial for ensuring the sustained flow of ocean services to all human communities directly and indirectly depending on this region.