Cristina Pedà - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Cristina Pedà
The European zoological journal, 2021
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2022
Few studies focused on behaviour adaptations of organisms to marine litter (ML) pollution in Medi... more Few studies focused on behaviour adaptations of organisms to marine litter (ML) pollution in Mediterranean Sea. This research, investigates on some behavior traits of Octopus vulgaris, focusing on the interaction with ML during the artisanal fishing activities by the bottom traps in a small coastal area of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. For the first time, this pilot study uses an integrated approach based on the Fishermen Ecological Knowledge as well as the analysis of ML found in the traps. First assessment of plastic ingestion in this species are also reported. Plastic and metal were the predominant ML categories observed into the bottom traps. A total of 62 plastics, mainly small microplastics and fibres shaped, were ingested. The ML finding in the bottom traps suggests an interesting behavior of the common octopus regarding its interaction with ML, in fact, it seems to bring ML inside its dens, as a collector.
Marine Policy, Aug 1, 2023
Regional Studies in Marine Science, May 1, 2018
h i g h l i g h t s • Swordfish harpoon fishing has a high social, cultural and historical import... more h i g h l i g h t s • Swordfish harpoon fishing has a high social, cultural and historical importance. • SWOT analysis allowed to suggest a management strategy. • The contrast of IUUF is important to assure the survival of the harpoon fishing.
Biology, Mar 9, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Science of The Total Environment, Nov 1, 2023
Science of The Total Environment
Marine Pollution Bulletin
The European Zoological Journal, 2021
Animals
The influence of the lunar cycle on bluefin tuna foraging in the upwelling area of the Strait of ... more The influence of the lunar cycle on bluefin tuna foraging in the upwelling area of the Strait of Messina was investigated by exploring trophic interaction with mesopelagic fish and cephalopod prey. To focus on how the lunar cycle could affect availability of mesopelagic prey for this predator, we tested potential differences in the diet related to each lunar phase. Moreover, we considered two potential impacts of the lunar cycle: the lunar irradiance and the strength of currents. Overall, 2672 prey items were mesopelagic fish and cephalopods, representing 60.7% of overall diet by number. The main mesopelagic fish prey items were lanternfishes and dragonfishes, while Onychoteuthis banksii was the most important cephalopod prey. In summary, the Strait of Messina has highly specific hydrodynamic and biological features which strongly depend on upwelling currents, which in turn are influenced by the lunar cycle (new and full moon with strong currents, quarters with fewer currents). Upwe...
Forum on Fisheries Science in the Mediterranean and The Black Sea (FishForum 2018), 10-14 Decembe... more Forum on Fisheries Science in the Mediterranean and The Black Sea (FishForum 2018), 10-14 December 2018, Rome, Italy
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 16, 2017
The Mediterranean Sea has been described as one of the most affected areas by marine litter in th... more The Mediterranean Sea has been described as one of the most affected areas by marine litter in the world. Although effects on organisms from marine plastic litter ingestion have been investigated in several oceanic areas, there is still a lack of information from the Mediterranean Sea. The main objectives of this paper are to review current knowledge on the impact of marine litter on Mediterranean biodiversity, to define selection criteria for choosing marine organisms suitable for use as bioindicator species, and to propose a methodological approach to assessing the harm related to marine litter ingestion in several Mediterranean habitats and sub-regions. A new integrated monitoring tool that would provide the information necessary to design and implement future mitigation actions in the Mediterranean basin is proposed. According to bibliographic research and statistical analysis on current knowledge of marine litter ingestion, the area of the Mediterranean most studied, in terms o...
Ocean & Coastal Management, 2017
Abstract This study characterizes the small-scale fishery (SSF) of the oncoming Italian Marine Pr... more Abstract This study characterizes the small-scale fishery (SSF) of the oncoming Italian Marine Protected Area of Cape Milazzo in the western Mediterranean Sea and describes the recent evolution of SSF activities in the study area during recent years. Data on fishing activities, catch and effort were collected in 2006–2007 and 2014 and then compared. Information on fishermen perceptions about local fishery management and conflicts were collected by a questionnaire survey relating fisheries policies and regulations during 2012–2013. A substantial reduction of fleet (−27.5% of vessels) was recorded between the 2006–2007 and 2014. The use of fishing gears varied during season depending on fishing tactics, meteorological conditions and resource availability, particularly in the case of gregarious fish, as revealed by statistical analysis (e.g., small tunas, carangids and mackerels). A general increase in hake and cuttlefish CPUE during 2014 was recorded. However, the study highlighted a suffering status for local SSF, due to both the difficulty to apply a growing amount of rules and prohibitions and the conflicts with illegal and recreational fishing. The establishment of a Local Management Plan (LMP) in the area has been the first step for increasing the fight against illegal fishing as well as the management of fishing grounds. Furthermore, the establishment of a new MPA should take into account these results in order to develop appropriate management measures for environmental protection, also allowing for the maintenance of biologic, social and economic sustainability of artisanal fishing activities.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 4, 2016
This study investigates, for the first time, the intestinal responses of European sea bass Dicent... more This study investigates, for the first time, the intestinal responses of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax chronically exposed to microplastics through ingestion. Fish (n = 162) were fed with 3 different treatment diets for 90 days: control, native polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polluted polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pellets. Intestines were fixed and processed for histological analysis using standard techniques. Histopathological alterations were examined using a score value (from 0 to 4). The distal part of intestine in all samples proved to be the most affected by pathological alterations, showing a gradual change varying from moderate to severe related to exposure times. The histological picture that characterizes both groups especially after 90 days of exposure, suggests that the intestinal functions can be in some cases totally compromised. The worst condition is increasingly evident in the distal intestine of fish fed with polluted PVC pellets respect to control groups (p < ...
Italian Journal of Zoology, 2015
Abstract The present paper investigates the diet and the food composition of Trachinotus ovatus i... more Abstract The present paper investigates the diet and the food composition of Trachinotus ovatus in the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina). Moreover, the first documented data on plastic ingestion by T. ovatus are also reported. Samples ranging between 16.5 and 28.0 cm fork length were collected between May and November 2012 in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea) by trolling lines. T. ovatus fed mainly on pelagic crustaceans and fishes, although the contribution of mollusks was also important. The absence of dominant prey indicated a generalist feeding behavior. The plastic debris was found in the stomach content of T. ovatus with a high percentage of occurrence (%O = 24.3%). Considering the commercial interest that T. ovatus has in some small-scale fishery markets, the potential impact of plastics on the trophic web and human consumption should be investigated.
The European zoological journal, 2021
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2022
Few studies focused on behaviour adaptations of organisms to marine litter (ML) pollution in Medi... more Few studies focused on behaviour adaptations of organisms to marine litter (ML) pollution in Mediterranean Sea. This research, investigates on some behavior traits of Octopus vulgaris, focusing on the interaction with ML during the artisanal fishing activities by the bottom traps in a small coastal area of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. For the first time, this pilot study uses an integrated approach based on the Fishermen Ecological Knowledge as well as the analysis of ML found in the traps. First assessment of plastic ingestion in this species are also reported. Plastic and metal were the predominant ML categories observed into the bottom traps. A total of 62 plastics, mainly small microplastics and fibres shaped, were ingested. The ML finding in the bottom traps suggests an interesting behavior of the common octopus regarding its interaction with ML, in fact, it seems to bring ML inside its dens, as a collector.
Marine Policy, Aug 1, 2023
Regional Studies in Marine Science, May 1, 2018
h i g h l i g h t s • Swordfish harpoon fishing has a high social, cultural and historical import... more h i g h l i g h t s • Swordfish harpoon fishing has a high social, cultural and historical importance. • SWOT analysis allowed to suggest a management strategy. • The contrast of IUUF is important to assure the survival of the harpoon fishing.
Biology, Mar 9, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Science of The Total Environment, Nov 1, 2023
Science of The Total Environment
Marine Pollution Bulletin
The European Zoological Journal, 2021
Animals
The influence of the lunar cycle on bluefin tuna foraging in the upwelling area of the Strait of ... more The influence of the lunar cycle on bluefin tuna foraging in the upwelling area of the Strait of Messina was investigated by exploring trophic interaction with mesopelagic fish and cephalopod prey. To focus on how the lunar cycle could affect availability of mesopelagic prey for this predator, we tested potential differences in the diet related to each lunar phase. Moreover, we considered two potential impacts of the lunar cycle: the lunar irradiance and the strength of currents. Overall, 2672 prey items were mesopelagic fish and cephalopods, representing 60.7% of overall diet by number. The main mesopelagic fish prey items were lanternfishes and dragonfishes, while Onychoteuthis banksii was the most important cephalopod prey. In summary, the Strait of Messina has highly specific hydrodynamic and biological features which strongly depend on upwelling currents, which in turn are influenced by the lunar cycle (new and full moon with strong currents, quarters with fewer currents). Upwe...
Forum on Fisheries Science in the Mediterranean and The Black Sea (FishForum 2018), 10-14 Decembe... more Forum on Fisheries Science in the Mediterranean and The Black Sea (FishForum 2018), 10-14 December 2018, Rome, Italy
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 16, 2017
The Mediterranean Sea has been described as one of the most affected areas by marine litter in th... more The Mediterranean Sea has been described as one of the most affected areas by marine litter in the world. Although effects on organisms from marine plastic litter ingestion have been investigated in several oceanic areas, there is still a lack of information from the Mediterranean Sea. The main objectives of this paper are to review current knowledge on the impact of marine litter on Mediterranean biodiversity, to define selection criteria for choosing marine organisms suitable for use as bioindicator species, and to propose a methodological approach to assessing the harm related to marine litter ingestion in several Mediterranean habitats and sub-regions. A new integrated monitoring tool that would provide the information necessary to design and implement future mitigation actions in the Mediterranean basin is proposed. According to bibliographic research and statistical analysis on current knowledge of marine litter ingestion, the area of the Mediterranean most studied, in terms o...
Ocean & Coastal Management, 2017
Abstract This study characterizes the small-scale fishery (SSF) of the oncoming Italian Marine Pr... more Abstract This study characterizes the small-scale fishery (SSF) of the oncoming Italian Marine Protected Area of Cape Milazzo in the western Mediterranean Sea and describes the recent evolution of SSF activities in the study area during recent years. Data on fishing activities, catch and effort were collected in 2006–2007 and 2014 and then compared. Information on fishermen perceptions about local fishery management and conflicts were collected by a questionnaire survey relating fisheries policies and regulations during 2012–2013. A substantial reduction of fleet (−27.5% of vessels) was recorded between the 2006–2007 and 2014. The use of fishing gears varied during season depending on fishing tactics, meteorological conditions and resource availability, particularly in the case of gregarious fish, as revealed by statistical analysis (e.g., small tunas, carangids and mackerels). A general increase in hake and cuttlefish CPUE during 2014 was recorded. However, the study highlighted a suffering status for local SSF, due to both the difficulty to apply a growing amount of rules and prohibitions and the conflicts with illegal and recreational fishing. The establishment of a Local Management Plan (LMP) in the area has been the first step for increasing the fight against illegal fishing as well as the management of fishing grounds. Furthermore, the establishment of a new MPA should take into account these results in order to develop appropriate management measures for environmental protection, also allowing for the maintenance of biologic, social and economic sustainability of artisanal fishing activities.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 4, 2016
This study investigates, for the first time, the intestinal responses of European sea bass Dicent... more This study investigates, for the first time, the intestinal responses of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax chronically exposed to microplastics through ingestion. Fish (n = 162) were fed with 3 different treatment diets for 90 days: control, native polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polluted polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pellets. Intestines were fixed and processed for histological analysis using standard techniques. Histopathological alterations were examined using a score value (from 0 to 4). The distal part of intestine in all samples proved to be the most affected by pathological alterations, showing a gradual change varying from moderate to severe related to exposure times. The histological picture that characterizes both groups especially after 90 days of exposure, suggests that the intestinal functions can be in some cases totally compromised. The worst condition is increasingly evident in the distal intestine of fish fed with polluted PVC pellets respect to control groups (p < ...
Italian Journal of Zoology, 2015
Abstract The present paper investigates the diet and the food composition of Trachinotus ovatus i... more Abstract The present paper investigates the diet and the food composition of Trachinotus ovatus in the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina). Moreover, the first documented data on plastic ingestion by T. ovatus are also reported. Samples ranging between 16.5 and 28.0 cm fork length were collected between May and November 2012 in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea) by trolling lines. T. ovatus fed mainly on pelagic crustaceans and fishes, although the contribution of mollusks was also important. The absence of dominant prey indicated a generalist feeding behavior. The plastic debris was found in the stomach content of T. ovatus with a high percentage of occurrence (%O = 24.3%). Considering the commercial interest that T. ovatus has in some small-scale fishery markets, the potential impact of plastics on the trophic web and human consumption should be investigated.