Mega-litter and remediation: the case of Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea)

According to the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), marine litter is one of the main causes of marine pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the most important threats for its biodiversity. In addition, it is a critical issue with significant implications from an ecological point of view, as well as for human health and safety. The present study provides a focus concerning the mega-litter in a semi-enclosed basin, the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Southern Italy, Ionian Sea). In this basin, characterized by a suite of anthropic impacts, a specific protocol for the mega-litter removal has been developed according to the Special Commissioner for remediation of the Site of National Interest of Taranto. The application of such protocol proved to be effective in limiting the removals’ secondary effects on the biodiversity and on the environment as a whole, allowing a sustainable removal of marine mega-litter. A critical part of such protocol resulted in the translocation of species of conservation interest present on the debris, particularly considering the rich population of the pen shell Pinna nobilis thriving in the area. A total of 7107 specimens were translocated, showing low mortality percentage and high survival rates during 9 months of monitoring.