The Guardians of the Ocean conference, held on April 3 at the Xrobb l-Għaġin Park and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, brought together international experts, policymakers, fishers, and scientists to strengthen regional cooperation and innovation in Mediterranean marine conservation.
The event marked a major milestone for LIFE OASIS, a project co-funded by the European Union that promotes sustainable fisheries practices in the dolphinfish fishery, especially lampuki fishing, and the protection of marine turtles while reinforcing the socio-economic resilience of coastal communities across the region.
Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Alicia Bugeja Said, opened the event by highlighting the country’s new fisheries policies, including legal reforms that broaden the representation of local fishers in national decision- making and new EU-funded schemes encouraging the adoption of selective gear and onboard improvements.

“We are committed to a science-informed approach that reflects the realities of our fishers,” said Dr. Bugeja Said. “Through better communication and collaboration, we can tackle critical issues like plastic pollution and ensure long-term sustainability.”
Innovation, Ecosystem Health, and Fisher Involvement Central to the discussions were anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs), innovative fishing gears that create stable micro-ecosystems in open
waters, known as the “oasis effect.” LIFE OASIS aims to improve FAD designs to reduce bycatch, avoid plastic use, and collect scientific data, all while keeping fishers’ needs at the forefront.
Project coordinator Ricardo Sagarminaga emphasized the importance of integrating technological, social, and economic dimensions to make fishing both sustainable and scientifically valuable. “Fishing technology must improve efficiency and serve conservation,” he said.
Intelligent aFADs and other innovations, such as drone-based surveys, molecular methods known as Environmental DNA (eDNA) and AI-enhanced monitoring, are being tested to support science and policy while empowering local stakeholders.

The conference showcased a shared understanding among participants:
sustainable fishing and conservation must go hand in hand. From turtle rescue and tracking to biodegradable gear, the collaboration between scientists and fishers was recognized as essential.
“Fishers are at the heart of LIFE OASIS,” said Vincent Attard, Director of Nature Trust Malta. “By working together, we ensure that conservation and livelihoods grow hand in hand.”
The panel emphasized the need for standardized yet localized protocols in dealing with threats like entanglement, ghost gear, and plastic ingestion, especially for vulnerable species like sea turtles. Participants also stressed the need to make sustainable innovations affordable, practical, and aligned with fishers’ working conditions, ensuring uptake and long-term success.

LIFE OASIS is building a Mediterranean-wide cooperation network through 15 active projects and a broad coalition of stakeholders. The initiative combines high-quality scientific research, traditional knowledge, and citizen science to achieve long-term, measurable impact.

By the end of the project, the expected outcomes include:

• Improved and localized FAD designs that reduce ecological impact
• Broader access to training and funding for small-scale fishers
• Enhanced tools for data collection using AI, drones, and telemetry.
  
  A deeper understanding of marine turtle behavior and conservation “Five years from now, we envision a Mediterranean where conservation and traditional fishing thrive together,” said Attard. “LIFE OASIS is about protecting biodiversity—but also about building stronger, more sustainable coastal communities.”

En LIFE OASIS, reconocemos que una conservación marina eficaz debe construirse en colaboración con quienes mejor conocen el mar: los pescadores. Nuestra última visita a Mallorca nos llevó a visitar dos comunidades pesqueras clave: Andratx y Sóller. En cada emplazamineto conversamos con profesionales locales dedicados a prácticas pesqueras sostenibles. Estas interacciones nos permitieron conocer de primera mano su realidad y nos brindaron información crucial sobre sus desafíos para aprender sobre cómo podemos colaborar para proteger los hábitats marinos esenciales.

Andratx: Tradición y Sostenibilidad en Acción

Nuestra primera parada fue la Cofradía de Pescadores de Andratx, una cofradía histórica donde la tradición y la sostenibilidad van de la mano. Allí, nos reunimos con pescadores locales que compartieron sus experiencias sobre prácticas pesqueras sostenibles, la gestión de recursos y las presiones de una industria en constante evolución. Destacaron la necesidad de equilibrar la viabilidad económica con la conservación de las poblaciones de peces y los ecosistemas marinos. Su conocimiento directo es invaluable para diseñar estrategias de conservación eficaces que no comprometan sus medios de vida.

Sóller: Preservando una forma de vida

Desde Andratx, continuamos hacia Sóller, otro emblemático puerto pesquero donde los pescadores artesanales han trabajado en sus aguas durante generaciones. Los pescadores de Sóller hablaron sobre la importancia de mantener las técnicas de pesca tradicionales que desde hace mucho tiempo han garantizado la sostenibilidad de los recursos marinos locales. También expresaron su preocupación por los cambios ambientales, las presiones regulatorias y la necesidad de políticas de conservación más inclusivas que consideren su experiencia.

Colaboración para un futuro sostenible

Estas visitas reafirmaron la importancia de fomentar el diálogo entre el sector pesquero y las iniciativas de conservación. En LIFE OASIS, nos comprometemos a trabajar con los pescadores y a garantizar que las iniciativas de conservación marina apoyen, y no obstaculicen, la continuidad de las comunidades pesqueras tradicionales. Al integrar la investigación científica con la sabiduría de quienes han protegido estas aguas durante generaciones, podemos lograr un futuro equilibrado y sostenible para nuestros mares.

Manténganse al tanto de las novedades mientras seguimos colaborando con las comunidades costeras del Mediterráneo. ¡Juntos, podemos marcar la diferencia!

While protected nesting beaches are critical, loggerhead turtles are highly mobile, making broader conservation efforts in the open ocean equally vital. A new project seeks to address this by gathering population monitoring data for Malta, Italy, and Spain. This will help expand the NATURA 2000 network of protected areas and improve management measures.

NATURA 2000 sites will serve as key “Index Sites” for monitoring loggerhead populations and ensuring effective protection.

The project will also benefit other species, including seabirds, sharks, rays, and cetaceans, all similarly impacted by fishing threats. While protected nesting beaches are critical, loggerhead turtles are highly mobile, making broader conservation efforts in the open ocean equally vital. A new project seeks to address this by gathering population monitoring data for Malta, Italy, and Spain, which will help expand the NATURA 2000 network of protected areas and improve management measures.

NATURA 2000 sites will serve as key “Index Sites” for monitoring loggerhead populations and ensuring effective protection. The project will also benefit other species, including seabirds, sharks, rays, and cetaceans, all similarly impacted by fishing threats.

Through expanded monitoring and improved management at both local and international levels, this initiative aims to mitigate the risks posed by bycatch and ALDFG, enhancing the conservation of loggerhead turtles and other marine species across European waters.

Fish aggregating device (FAD) fishing is an ancient form of fishing that takes advantage of the “oasis effect” of any object adrift in the open sea ecosystem (Blue Serengeti).​​ Logs, sargassum, and turtles create this ​”oasis effect,” thus building vital habitats for numerous pelagic species (more than 120 in the common turtle). ​One objective of LIFE OASIS is to understand this “oasis effect better” and improve the sustainability and efficiency of FAD fishing.​

Properly exploited FAD fisheries are considered one of the safest, most efficient, sustainable fishing methods.​ However, the current rudimentary ‘single-use’ fishing model is one of the leading causes of bycatch and ghost fishing.​

In the Mediterranean, the anchored aggregating device (aFAD) fishery for dolphinfish has great potential for improvement. ​So, LIFE OASIS, in collaboration with fishermen from Malta and Gozo, Sicily, and the Balearic Islands, will aim to reduce the risk of gear loss and bycatch. ​

​LIFE OASIS will focus on increasing the fishery’s efficiency and sustainability, adding value by improving its potential for electronic ocean monitoring. Sustainable FAD fishing can be an alternative to illegal fishing and a solution for food security for many at-risk coastal communities. ​

​

​

We’re excited to launch this blog and share our journey in protecting the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystems!
LIFE OASIS, coordinated by Alnitak, is a passionate project aimed at reducing the impact of marine litter and harmful fishing practices on vulnerable species like sea turtles.

A network of experts

Our diverse team of fishers, scientists, conservationists, and policymakers is working together to develop sustainable solutions, including anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs) that reduce entanglement risks and promote a healthier ocean environment.

Our updates and fresh content

This blog will provide updates on the project’s progress, share insights from our team, and give you an inside look at the innovations we’re developing. LIFE OASIS aims to create long-lasting positive change for the Mediterranean and beyond by focusing on sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation.

Thank you for being part of the LIFE OASIS movement!
Stay tuned for more updates!