#Conference
On December 18th, 2025, the Final Conference of the LIFE ELIFE Project, funded under the LIFE Programme, marked the conclusion of five years of intensive work dedicated to the conservation of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean Sea.
Throughout the project lifecycle, LIFE ELIFE strengthened scientific knowledge on elasmobranch species, promoted engagement with fishing communities, increased public awareness, and supported the development of management measures in close collaboration with institutional stakeholders. These combined efforts aimed to improve understanding of shark and ray populations while advancing concrete actions to protect endangered species.
The online final event was structured around three main moments:
- Presentation of the project’s key results, highlighting the collective work of the LIFE ELIFE consortium.
- A round table entitled “Elasmobranch bycatch in the Mediterranean: objectives, actions, and results of the LIFE ELIFE project”.
- An open webinar, “Shark stories: communicating science to protect the Mediterranean Sea”, fostering dialogue with stakeholders on shared conservation responsibilities.
The webinar featured four presentations, each focusing on a key dimension of shark conservation:
- Mediterranean shark biodiversity, main threats, and the LIFE ELIFE project’s objectives, actions and results.
- Shark consumption and traceability, including labelling practices and associated risks.
- Sharks in history, the media and art, and how narratives often shape perceptions through myth and fear.
- Outreach and local community engagement as essential elements to achieve conservation objectives.
For SETIN SRL, Alessandro Piazzi served as Partner Project Manager and Financial Manager throughout the entire five-year implementation period, supporting both technical coordination and financial oversight.
The LIFE ELIFE Final Conference not only showcased concrete achievements but also reinforced the importance of collaborative, science-based and community-driven approaches to safeguard marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean, leaving a strong foundation for future conservation initiatives.
