Since 2016, the protected species Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) has been impacted by a widespread epidemic, causing Mass Mortality Events throughout the entire Mediterranean. The Northern Adriatic was affected in 2019, with mortality up to 100% in marine populations, in particular on bio-geogenic outcrops locally known as “tegnùe” and “trezze”.

Within the Interreg IT-SI TRECap project, a comprehensive operative protocol for the restocking of Pinna nobilis was tested in the Veneto region waters, integrating different established protocols and conservation actions into a unique pipeline. Activities were coordinated with similar actions conducted by Shoreline soc. coop. in Friuli Venezia Giulia and NIB in Slovenian waters. Larval collectors to monitor the species recruitment were placed at different locations over the Northern Adriatic at the start of 2023 spawning season, including at the Acqua Alta Oceanographic Tower (AAOT) off the Venice lagoon and the “Tegnùe di Porto Falconera” Natura2000 site near Caorle. Collectors were sorted during the following winter, leading to the recovery of several alive juveniles (total length 1.8-10.2 cm). After a few days of maintenance in lab facilities, 36 individuals were transferred to an in-field enclosure located at the AAOT at 14 m depth, in order to reach proper size for the reimplant. The individuals status and growth were monitored in the following months, with only six individuals surviving through the summer of 2024. “Tegnùe di Porto Falconera” area was selected as a suitable testing site for the reimplanting. In accordance with MISE requirements, individuals were preliminarily tested by the University of Trieste for the presence of the pathogen Haplosporidium pinnae, using non-invasive approaches. The area was preliminarily mapped and characterized using photogrammetric approaches. The three surviving individuals were successfully reimplanted in early February 2025, protected by cages. Monitored is ongoing. Weaknesses and strengths throughout the entire pipeline are highlighted.