Bari hosts a key event on Non-Indigenous Species
On March 26th, Bari became the stage for a crucial conversation on marine biodiversity. The event “NIS: una minaccia per l’Adriatico”, organized by Regione Puglia in collaboration with ARPA Puglia and CMCC, brought citizens, researchers, and stakeholders together to raise awareness on the growing impact of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in the Adriatic Sea.
As part of the Interreg Italy–Croatia ALIENA project, the event offered a comprehensive overview of the threats posed by invasive crabs, algae, and mollusks—and the urgent need for coordinated action.
Highlights from the event:
🔹 Dr. Nicola Ungaro (ARPA Puglia) opened the session, setting the stage for an in-depth look at the ALIENA project.
🔹 Dr. Valentina de Pinto (Regione Puglia) presented the project’s current goals and future strategies.
🔹 Dr. Enrico Barbone (ARPA Puglia) shared insights into NIS monitoring efforts in the Puglia pilot area.
🔹 Dr. Salvatore Causio (CMCC) introduced the modeling tools used to study the spread of NIS in the Adriatic.
🔹 Prof. Francesco Mastrototaro and Dr. Antonella Bottalico (University of Bari) explored the ecological consequences of NIS and the role of science in shaping effective environmental policies.
🔹 Leonardo Coccia, president of the “Varano La Fenice” cooperative, brought the perspective of the aquaculture industry into the conversation.
The strong engagement from the audience confirmed that public awareness is growing, and with it, the demand for real solutions.
Relive the ALIENA Project Transnational Event!
Did you miss the important discussions in Lecce on September 24th, 2025 about the Not indigenous species? Or do you want to revisit the key insights?
We're excited to share the video from The Transnational Event of the ALIENA project, organized by the CMCC Foundation (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change) in collaboration with Regione Puglia!
This event brought together researchers, environmental monitoring experts, public institutions, policy makers, and economic sector representatives to present the first results of the ALIENA initiative. It's a crucial effort to tackle the growing issue of non-indigenous species (NIS) and protect our vital biodiversity.
