Introduction Technological innovation in fisheries can rapidly alter exploitation patterns, often outpacing the capacity of regulatory systems to respond and increasing the risk of stock depletion or collapse. To address this challenge, this study presents a Decision-Tree Framework (DTF) designed to support precautionary and adaptive management when new fishing gears or substantial changes in fishing practices emerge. Methods...

The protection of the Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem identified by the presence of the critically endangered bamboo coral Isidella elongata has been recognized as an urgent task. Although some research has focused on the spatial distribution of this species, there is no information available on its connectivity and genetic structure. This is the first study to examine the genetic diversity pattern and inter-population connectivit...

Holothurians or sea cucumbers are key organisms in marine ecosystems that, by ingesting large quantities of sediments, provide important ecosystem services. Among them, Parastichopus regalis (Cuvier, 1817) is one of the living sea cucumbers in the Mediterranean actively fished for human consumption mainly in Spain, where it is considered a gastronomic delicacy. In the Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea), this species...

The Strait of Sicily (SoS) is a key area in the Central Mediterranean Sea characterized by high biodiversity and demersal fisheries productivity. Further, it is traditionally considered the main biogeographic boundary between the Western and Eastern basins of the Mediterranean. Due to the poor knowledge on the benthos composition and distribution in this area, we created the first inventory of megazoobenthos recorded on the tr...