From strategy to the field: ASPEH partners meet in Fano to advance coastal habitat protection
06/04/2026
After the cross-border conference dedicated to the EUSAIR Strategy and the protection of Adriatic coastal and marine ecosystems, ASPEH partners continued their joint work with a project meeting in Fano and a field visit focused on one of the project’s priority species: the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), known in Italy as Fratino.
The meeting represented an important operational step for the project partnership, allowing partners to discuss ongoing activities, upcoming deadlines and the next phases of the transnational awareness campaign. The exchange also helped strengthen coordination among the Italian and Croatian organisations involved in ASPEH, whose common objective is to improve the conservation of priority species and habitats in Natura 2000 and coastal areas across the Adriatic.
Hosted in the territory of the Municipality of Fano, one of the ASPEH project partners, the meeting offered the opportunity to connect strategic planning with concrete conservation needs on the ground. In the Fano area, sandy coastal habitats are of particular ecological relevance, as they host nesting sites of the Kentish plover, a small shorebird whose survival is closely linked to the preservation of natural beaches.
The field visit allowed partners to observe directly the fragile environment where this species nests. The Kentish plover lays its eggs directly on the sand, often in areas that are also used by people for walking, tourism and recreational activities. This makes the species especially vulnerable to disturbance, habitat loss and pressure linked to beach use.
For this reason, awareness and local engagement are essential. Protecting the Kentish plover does not only mean safeguarding a single species, but also preserving the ecological balance of sandy coastal habitats, which are among the environments targeted by ASPEH’s conservation work.
The visit in Fano showed how project activities can move from policy dialogue and technical planning to practical action. It also highlighted the importance of cooperation between protected area managers, municipalities, researchers, environmental organisations and local communities.
Through ASPEH, partners are developing common tools, conservation measures, training activities, pilot actions and communication initiatives to support better management of Adriatic species and habitats. The experience in Fano confirms the value of a cross-border approach: the Adriatic coastline is shared, and so are the challenges affecting its biodiversity.
By combining institutional cooperation, field knowledge and public awareness, ASPEH continues to build a common path for the protection of the Adriatic’s natural heritage.
