Salmo ceTtii REcovery Actions in Mediterranean Streams

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Mediterranean trout (Salmo macrostigma) is a salmonid species endemic to the Mediterranean area and protected under the Habitats Directive (Annex II). The taxonomy of S. macrostigma is still controversial, and the Italian populations (as well as those in Corsica and France) are currently considered as Salmo cettii, the taxon targeted by this project. The Italian populations of Mediterranean trout are mostly fragmented and isolated in small mountain streams, so that only a few thousand individuals are likely to be left. In most of the Italian range, the species is considered extinct and has been replaced by populations of the allochthonous (non-native) Atlantic Salmo trutta or its hybrids. The main threats to the Mediterranean trout in Italy are the lack of a strategy to limit introgression (a type of gene flow) with the Atlantic species, the modification of habitat due to decreasing water resources, the increase of pollutants, the presence of physical barriers, water extraction and illegal stocking of non-native trouts.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of LIFE STREAMS is the recovery and conservation of the Mediterranean trout. It will capitalise on the experience of an earlier project, LIFE TROTA (LIFE12 NAT/IT/000940). In particular, a comprehensive strategy to improve the Mediterranean trouts conservation status will be designed and applied to the species Italian and French native range. This will include a set of actions aimed at eliminating the sources of introgression and ameliorating the introgression rates, improving the quality of freshwater habitats, and combating the phenomenon of illegal stocking. The project will develop and test supplemental conservation strategies and produce guidelines for conservation and management of the species. In addition, it will design an integrated system to monitor the minimum water flows needed and improve the quality of freshwater habitat, in line with the Water Framework Directive. LIFE STREAMS work will also contribute to implementation of the Habitats Directive and the EU Regulation (1143/2014) on invasive alien species. The projects results will be transferable to a number of protected areas, including Corsica (France).

RESULTS

Expected results: Elimination of sources of introgression and amelioration of introgression rates:

Identification and protection of at least 11 pure wild populations;

Creation of at least 11 new pure wild populations;

Increase of autochthonous genotype by 5%;

Decrease of alien genotypes by 5%;

Eradication of at least 11 alien populations;

Production of at least 66 000 native fry; and

Translocation of at least 3 600 wild native trouts;

Reduced river fragmentation and improved quality of freshwater habitat:

Minimum vital flows guaranteed in 51 sites;

Decreased river fragmentation by removing five barriers, connecting isolated populations;

Increased average abundance of wild populations; and

Increase in average quality of wild populations age structures to a minimum of 35;

Creation of a common reference framework for S. cettii conservation actions:

Adoption of guidelines for the management and conservation of Mediterranean trout in 17 protected areas; and

Adoption of guidelines for the management of Mediterranean trout habitat in 17 protected areas.

Strategy for combating illegal stocking:

Increase of notification numbers in the targeted area;

Updating the regulation in six pilot areas;

Increased awareness by involving at least 3 000 people in communication events; and

Creation of six groups of voluntary guards engaging at least 100 local volunteers.