A first for Italy's Aeolian Islands?

In the Aeolian archipelago, north of Sicily, overfishing of swordfish and bluefin tuna by large boats has forced artisanal fishers close to shore to catch lower-value fish on reefs and seagrass beds. Equipment is often lost on the rocky seabed, ‘ghost nets’ that are left to entangle sea life for years. 

On the island of Salina, Blue Marine is supporting the local community in establishing a marine protected area (MPA) that could restore their once-bountiful seas. Blue Marine has involved the whole community – including fishers, restaurateurs, tourists and schools – to encourage the local authorities to protect the island’s sea life.

In 2025, a school snorkeling programme brought children closer to the marine environment, while an artist residency wove together art, community, and local knowledge. Blue Marine continued to facilitate the political dialogue required for official designation of the MPA. Its bottom-up model was highlighted at the UN Ocean Conference and at EU Ocean Week in Brussels, where local fisher Santino Ruggera shared his experience: 

‘With guidance from Blue Marine’s biologists we formed the Aeolian Islands Responsible Fishing Association. After visiting other MPAs, we saw how fish numbers recover under proper protection. Today, we believe small-scale fishing can thrive alongside coastal conservation, and even support it. This approach can give our local economy a chance to recover.’  

Photos by: Danny Copeland and Gianfranco Taranto