A new project, LIFE OASIS, is bringing together science, conservation, and the fishing sector to tackle ghost fishing and safeguard marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean.

The project, which is co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE program for Natura 2000, is a collaborative effort designed to reduce lost and abandoned fishing gear (LAF), a major threat to loggerhead sea turtles and marine ecosystems.

The Mediterranean is home to a diverse range of marine species, but it also faces growing environmental challenges due to the impact of fisheries, pollution, and abandoned gear. Each year, many sea turtles become entangled in lost fishing nets, unable to escape, leading to severe injuries or death.

This issue doesn’t just affect marine biodiversity—it also threatens the sustainability of fisheries and maritime safety, requiring a unified, international response.

LIFE OASIS is being led by ALNITAK, working alongside a strong international consortium of scientific institutions, including the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB), the University of Valencia, the University of Pisa, and the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn.

The project also includes Europe’s largest fisheries confederation, CEPESCA, as well as technology companies like SATLINK and conservation organizations such as Filicudi Wildlife Conservation and Nature Trust Malta.

The goal of LIFE OASIS is clear: prevent gear loss, enhance fishing sustainability, and protect marine biodiversity through innovative solutions. At the heart of the project is the development of an intelligent anchored Fish Aggregating Device (aFAD)—a sustainable fishing tool designed by fishers, for fishers, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits.

One of the project’s key efforts is the establishment of a collaborative rescue network across the Mediterranean, involving fishers, navigators, and marine wildlife rescue centers. This network will help identify and rescue sea turtles caught in abandoned gear, while also providing critical data on the locations of marine debris.

Using this information, LIFE OASIS will create detailed maps to predict where abandoned gear is likely to accumulate, allowing for more effective intervention and prevention.

By working closely with fishers from Malta, Sicily, and the Balearic Islands, the project is ensuring that its solutions are both practical and affordable. The aFAD model, developed in collaboration with local fishing communities, will use biodegradable materials, reduce gear loss, and minimise bycatch, offering a sustainable alternative to destructive fishing practices.

LIFE OASIS also aims to share its knowledge and technology with coastal communities worldwide, particularly those struggling with the impacts of illegal fishing.

By using the Mediterranean as a “miniature ocean laboratory”, the project hopes to develop and refine sustainable fishing methods that can be applied to global marine conservation efforts.

What do you make of this new project?