. What they say about us… For a selection of articles published in print and online: . READ THE PRESS REVIEW . HERE IS THE INSIGHT IN RIFIUTI OGGI, Legambiente's periodical on the Circular Economy    

. "Today marks the conclusion of an important and highly innovative project that opens up interesting prospects in the mussel farming sector. An intense journey of research, development, collaboration, and experimentation that leaves behind new tools that can truly make this activity more sustainable in Italy and Europe. A model that

. . The growing attention towards sustainability issues and the awareness of their connection between all the actors of a production chain are pushing companies to understand that only through the full involvement of the entire supply chain is it possible to reduce inefficiencies, risks and impacts.

  Here are the two events scheduled for November 5, 2025. We look forward to seeing you at the final event of LIFE MUSCLES. MORNING 10:00 AM. AFTERNOON 2:00 PM. DOWNLOAD the English version of the International workshop program

. Event held as part of the Italian Pavilion at the 2025 Architecture Biennale, promoted by the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture and curated by Guendalina Salimei with the project TERRAEAQUAE. Italy and the Intelligence of the Sea. . SEA | LANDSCAPE | HERITAGE . October 16, 2025 – 10:30 am – 2:00 pm Venice, Palazzo

On 3 and 4 October 2025, the XII National Conference of SIRAM – Italian Society of Applied Research to Mollusc Farming, entitled “Mollusc Farming in a One Health Perspective”, was held at the Civic Centre of Caorle (Venice). Daniele Calore, technical manager of ROM Plastica, participated for LIFE MUSCLES.

September 28, 2025, another cleanup day at Terrizzo beach in Portovenere, in the province of La Spezia. Another opportunity to get together, care for the area, and collaborate on the LIFE MUSCLES Clean Up the Sea event.

. 1 and 2 October at Le Chorus, Vannes, France INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS IN THE MUSSEL FARMING SECTOR On the occasion of the third edition of the event, Italy is the country of honor and a delegation from AMA, the Mediterranean Association, will bring the experience of the circular economy that makes shellfish farming more sustainable.

. . The mobile plant in Slovenia from 22 to 28 September 2025. DEMONSTRATION ACTION OF THE OPERATION OF THE PLANT FOR RECYCLING NETS FOR MUSSEL FARMING BY ROM PLASTICA OF CHIOGGIA in Obrt Bivio Republika, 5 Tar-Parenzo- Croatia FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER Transferibility meeting of LIFE Muscles.

Over 50 multidisciplinary stands to present the research activities of the University of Siena, including the LIFE MUSCLES project. The European Researchers' Night, called BRIGHT-NIGHT in Siena, was held on 26 September 2025, with activities in the Santa Maria della Scala complex and in other areas of the city.

We participated in AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2025, the event organized in Valencia, Spain by the European Aquaculture Society, with a focus on the scientific disciplines and species of European aquaculture. Representatives of two project partners were present to give contributions that are the result of the work of the last 4 years: Wednesday 24 September 2025 in the

. . The mobile plant in Slovenia from 15 to 21 September 2025. DEMONSTRATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE MUSSEL FARMING NET RECYCLING PLANT BY ROM PLASTICA DI CHIOGGIA at Prosub doo Zaprta ulica, 3/C, Izola-Slovenia. THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER Transferibility meeting of LIFE Muscles.  

. . MEETING BETWEEN PROJECT PARTNERS AND MUSSEL FARMERS OF BACOLI AND GAETA AT THE MITILFREGREA HEADQUARTERS IN BACOLI, VIA CUMA 218, STARTING AT 5:30 PM. . DEMONSTRATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE NET RECYCLING PLANT FOR MUSSEL FARMING BY ROM PLASTICA OF

The Roman summer on the western beaches offers meetings and workshops for all tastes and ages. Mussel farming and plastics are among the topics of interest this weekend, joined by poetry, theater, music, cinema, sports, and workshops for boys and girls.

July 10, 2025, another cleanup day at Capojale beach in Cagnano Varano, in the province of Foggia. Another opportunity to get together, take care of the area, and collaborate on the LIFE MUSCLES Clean Up the Sea event.

. . Transferability meeting in Cagnano Varano, in the province of Foggia. . The meeting was held on the afternoon of July 9th, involving about ten workers from the sea, to whom we gave the opportunity to learn about all the phases of operation of the mobile recycling plant and

. . The projects “Reti in Circolo”, “LIFE MUSCLES” and “LIFE SEA NET” were presented this morning: at the Casa Da Mare in the port of Senigallia, an opportunity to delve into the theme of the environmental impact of nylon fishing nets and marine waste, with a specific focus on the Ancona navy and

. Sustainable tourism and protection of the marine ecosystem. Friday 13 June 2025 in Rome at 9.00 am at the Casa dell'Architettura (piazza Manfredo Fanti 47). Life MUSCLES will also be a guest at the second edition of the “Blue Economy Forum” together with the presentation of the guide “Il Mare più bello” with the awarding of the Five

. The Tgr appointment with the economy of the regions is a journey in search of the excellence of Made in Italy, which on Saturday 31 May gave voice to mussel farming. Interventions by: Stefano Sarti, president of Legambiente La Spezia; Daniele Calore, representative of Rom Plastica Srl Paolo Varrella, president of CMA Cooperativa

. From Sunday 22 June to Friday 27 June 2025 – Martiniplaza, Groningen, The Netherlands . The European Polymer Congress, the leading European congress in the field of polymer science and technology, is the flagship event of the European Polymer Federation (EPF), organised in collaboration with

. . Guided talk by Life Muscles Coordinator Marzia Mattioli, to talk about the action to combat waste in the sea and on the beach, coming from mussel farms. Learn more HERE .        

. . “European Planning in Support of Oyster Farming, Mussel Farming and Algae Farming” is the title of the event that will be held tomorrow as part of the Italian Oyster Fest in La Spezia in Passeggiata Morin. The European Projects LIFE Muscles, Bio Based and Marinet-Mariculture (Interreg Italy – Croatia) are presented by Paolo Varrella, President

. . MEETING BETWEEN PROJECT PARTNERS, MUSSEL FARMERS AND THE PRESS AT THE SANTA TERESA STABULATORS, HEADQUARTERS OF THE ASSOCIATED MUSSEL FARMERS COOPERATIVE . DEMONSTRATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE MUSSEL FARMING NET RECYCLING PLANT BY ROM PLASTICA OF CHIOGGIA IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SPEZZINI MUSSEL FARMERS COOPERATIVE  

. . Talk led by the University of Bologna at the Le Benedettine Congress Center in Pisa, where the IEEE International Workshop on Measurements and Applications in Veterinary and Animal Sciences (IEEE MeAVeAS) is held from 28 to 30 April. . Session on “Circularity and implications for sustainability assessment in livestock farming and production

. . Seventy children from primary schools in Naples dedicated themselves on April 9th to a Plastic Busters activity at the mouth of the Bussento river, in Policasto (SA) in the Cilento National Park. “Thanks to the Blue School project, in collaboration with Life MUSCLES we have practically introduced “learning by doing” –

MEETING BETWEEN PROJECT PARTNERS AND MUSSEL FARMERS OF GORO, MEMBER OF THE Unione dei Comuni delle Terre del Delta. DEMONSTRATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE MUSSEL FARMING NET RECYCLING PLANT BY ENGINEER DANIELE CALORE, TECHNICIAN AT ROM PLASTICA OF CHIOGGIA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 Transferability

. . Information seminar for mussel farmers and fishermen, dedicated to sustainable mussel farming and reducing the environmental impact of mussel farming activities. . Olbia (SS), 11 April 2025 at 4:00 pm, at the headquarters of the Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area, in Via San Giovanni 14. The seminar has the

. . EVENT FOR MUSSEL FARMERS AT THE PILA FISH MARKET . DEMONSTRATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE NET RECYCLING PLANT FOR MUSSEL FARMING BY ROM PLASTICA OF CHIOGGIA IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PILA FISHERMEN'S COOPERATIVE OP and AMA MEDITERRANEAN AQUACULTURISTS' ASSOCIATION FRIDAY 28 MARCH

. . Marine Litter Watch (MLW) is an initiative, established in 2013, that aims to address the problem of beached litter. Over time, many communities have come together to collect data and contribute to the creation of a homogeneous database, to understand the sources of litter and propose regulations, at a national level.

. . The two-day event dedicated to the operational procedures for the farming of commercially interesting algae – Ulva lactuga and Gracilaria spp – at the selected long-line plants in Italy and Croatia was held in Cattolica (RN). The INTERREG project event will take place on 17 and 18 March 2025.

. . Replanting work has begun in the Ittica Del Giudice fish farms in Cagnano Varano. Even more sustainable is the farming of Life Muscles' partner who has already started producing mussels using recycled polypropylene (PP) socks, visible in the images showing the black socks. The company

. On March 7, 2025, thanks to the P.Ri.S.Ma. MED2 Interreg Marittimo project between Italy and France – co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the "European territorial cooperation" objective of the EU Cohesion Policy – a working table between European projects was organized to highlight the main difficulties encountered

. . Today the press conference was held in the Regional Council of Veneto in which Life MUSCLES was presented together with one of the partner companies, Rom Plastica. The event in Venice is configured as an important moment of discussion with the Policy Makers of the lagoon that has political relevance

. The new episode of the Mangia Sostenibile podcast is online! And Silvia Moroni alias @parlasostenibile hosted a few minutes of storytelling on Life Muscles, with Loris Pietrelli describing its objectives and actions. listen to it here! . It will be an opportunity to raise a little awareness about shopping at the fish counter... because

. . Life Muscles is a regular event at the AquaFarm International Fair, but for the first time this year we are bringing an event dedicated to public institutions and local authorities. With the aim of sharing the solutions to be adopted to reduce the problem of pollution resulting from the dispersion of socks for

At the La Spezia plant with students of the Master's Degree in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sustainability, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, University of Siena. A moment of learning in the field with professors Maria Cristina Fossi and Cristina Panti, an opportunity to learn about the work

. . Already 30 tons of recycled plastic! . Watch the video showing how it works . . Circular economy for the sea and mussel farming, thanks to a mobile plant that reduces plastic by giving new life to the nets used for mussel farming. It is mounted on a

. . The next information event will be held for mussel farmers and fishermen in Abruzzo on December 6, 2024 at 4:00 pm at the headquarters of the SILMAR srl company in Vasto (CH). . The coordinator of LIFE MUSCLES Marzia Mattioli will be present for the introductory opening and moderation of the event and Erando

. . There were 40 mussel farmers present and 15 connected remotely for the information meeting held on November 27 in Cattolica. The event dedicated to mussel farmers in the Emilia-Romagna region actually involved marine workers from all over Italy thanks to the fact that it was

. Answering is easy! CLICK HERE! . The Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET) of the University of Bologna has created the questionnaire as part of our LIFE MUSCLES project to continue promoting sustainable aquaculture and raise consumer awareness of the importance of responsible food choices for the health of the sea and our planet.

Gloves and bags will be provided on site; it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. For information contact Paola: 3931054107

. Life MUSCLES returns to schools with a free Edukit and competition. Teachers who want to learn more and make their classes – middle and high schools – aware of the impacts of mussel farming on the marine ecosystem and the circular economy solutions proposed by the European project Life can respond to the call

The XXV National Conference of AIM, the Italian Macromolecule Association, was held in Naples from 8 to 11 September, where Dr. Iolanda Francolini, LIFE Muscles representative for the partner Sapienza University of Rome, presented a keynote entitled “Functional polymers from bio-based feedstocks” also addressing the project actions.

. We look forward to seeing you in Lerici, in the Gulf of Poets, to celebrate mussels, to promote and enhance the richness of this territory through guided tastings, cooking shows, sensory workshops and much more. . Together with the CMA, Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati, with the visit to the Santa Teresa stabulatore which will be held on

The Workshop on Sustainable Polymers and Circular Economy of Plastics (SusChem'24) was held in Ischia from 1 to 4 September, where Dr. Clarissa Ciarlantini, contact person for the partner Sapienza University of Rome, presented a poster on the latest data on the recycling of polypropylene nets, collected within the framework of the actions of

. . Cagnano IncluSI for Active Citizenship and the Value of the Gift. The local community awareness event which aims to inform residents, tourists and commercial operators of the territories involved in Life MUSCLES has reached its third edition. With the Plastick Socks “treasure” hunt

. . . Event to raise awareness of local communities which aims to inform residents, tourists and commercial operators of the territories involved in Life MUSCLES. The Plastic Socks Busters "treasure" hunt rewards those who collect the most nets for mussel farming: appointment on Saturday 13 July at 10.30am on Palmaria Island, La

. Two moments dedicated to sustainable mussel farming and the solutions proposed by Life Muscles in the Ligurian pilot area on the occasion of the start-up stage of Legambiente's Goletta Verde 2024. In the morning departure from La Spezia and boat tour with journalists towards the headquarters of the Cooperative of Associated Mussel Farmers, passing through

. The abstract of the LIFE MUSCLES poster that you can find at SYNC 2024: . Circular economy in mussel farms: polypropylene recovery. Clarissa Ciarlantini1*, Antonella Piozzi1, Iolanda Francolini1, Stefania Di Vito2, Fabrizio Soddu2, Elisa Scocchera2, Marzia Mattioli2, Loris Pietrelli2 1Chemistry Department, Sapienza, Rome, Italy 2Legambiente, Rome, Italy *e-mail address of the

. The Blue Economy Forum, organized by Legambiente in Rome as part of the European Life Sea.Net project, forcefully called for «A greener blue economy for the protection of marine biodiversity and for the support of small-scale fishing, a fundamental economic sector for Italy, and even more so for the South

. At school to reduce and prevent plastic pollution in the sea, three Apulian classes win the LIFE Muscles contest. . READ THE PRESS RELEASE The European LIFE Muscles project celebrates World Environment Day by rewarding the works of students who have explored the topic of protection

. . The objective, like every year, is to clean up waste from hundreds of beaches, river banks and lakes, involving hundreds of volunteers. Every daily choice you make is important and can make a difference, join us! On June 1st at the mouth of the Magra River

. . The only event planned in Veneto, organized as part of the LIFE MUSCLES project of which Legambiente is the Coordinating Beneficiary, which has the objective of strengthening knowledge on mussel farming and aquaculture and the potential of these sectors in environmental and economic terms, but also increasing the awareness of the environmental impacts of activities

. Plastic in the sea and microplastics represent a danger to biodiversity. A new disease typical of marine avifauna is "plasticosis", a fibrosis in the gastrointestinal tract, induced by the continuous and abundant ingestion of plastic, which causes lesions and thickening of the tissues with serious effects on growth, digestion and

. . 223 nets for mussel farming, 2,150 kg of undifferentiated waste, 1,200 kg of plastic, 1 car/boat battery, a 10 meter long water pipe, a large unmeasurable quantity of wood, the results of the day of monitoring and cleaning of the Spiagga del Terrizzo of Palmaria Island. . As part of the Life Muscles project, funded

The Mutilicoltori Associati cooperative is co-organizer of the event which from 10 to 12 May turns the spotlight on the Italian oyster, the Associazione Mediterranea Acquacoltori is a partner. . LINK to the event and program. There are several moments at the Italian Oyster Fest where visitors have the opportunity to learn about the innovations that Life Muscles

. . Students of the IIS of Torremaggiore (FG) supported by the Legambiente Iride – San Nicandro Garganico and Torremaggiore clubs, met this morning at the free beach of Serracapriola in Marina di Lesina for the usual Beach litter Monitoring of Life MUSCLES. This action is for

. . The historic Legambiente campaign dedicated to the monitoring and cleaning of waste abandoned on beaches and shores returns from 10 to 12 May. Initiatives are scheduled in the two Life Muscles pilot areas until June. From 10 to 12 May a "tide" of volunteers

. . READ THE PRESS RELEASE ISSUED FOLLOWING THE EVENT Strengthen knowledge on mussel farming and aquaculture and the potential of these sectors in environmental terms - as sources of low impact food production - and economic terms and at the same time increase the awareness of professionals on the

. PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES. . Wednesday 10 April At the educational event Every Drop Counts, conference entitled “Ecology of the sea; actions and projects for a sustainable future” Speech by Paolo Varrella, president of the Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati of La Spezia – The circular economy in shellfish farming: Life MUSCLES. HERE is the Tele interview

. . National Sea Day with the Comprehensive Institute of Lesina, in the province of Foggia. . The president of the Legambiente IRIDE - San Nicandro Garganico club met the first and third classes to talk about Life MUSCLES and the project actions to protect the sea.

. DOWNLOAD . In order to verify the possible recycling of polypropylene socks, ROM Plastica carried out a preliminary mechanical recycling of these socks obtained by first shredding the material coming from the used socks (grinding), subsequently removing the organic contaminants, by washing with pressure water, subsequently centrifugation and drying

. The meeting between the partners of the Life MUSCLES project was held on March 27, 2024. A moment of discussion useful for evaluating the progress of the project actions. An opportunity to visit the Mussel Farming Museum which is located in the same building as the Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati in Lerici.

. On the occasion of World Water Day, we present an action by Life MUSCLES that allows us to measure the effectiveness of the solutions proposed by our European project. . We collect, count, weigh, catalog and remove the remains for mussel farming from the marine and coastal ecosystem. The data emerging from the Gargano beaches in

. While waiting for World Water Day, researchers from the University of Siena, on a boat with Paolo Varrella, president of the Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati of La Spezia, are busy collecting samples on the surface and in the water column (action B .5.1) in the Gulf of Poets in Liguria. Analyzes -

. . The first event of the "Regional strategic forum for the Blue economy - for a regional strategic plan for fish research: 10 ideas for innovation and sustainability" was held on 11 March at the third tower of Viale della Fiera 8 in Bologna. ” organized by the Directorate General for Agriculture, Hunting

. . Citizen science in Torre Lapillo in Puglia, to collect waste on the beach and nets for mussel farming. The Legambiente Leverano and Terra d'Arneo club in collaboration with the Catholic Action youth sector Vicaria del Salento and with the Agesci Veglie1 novitiate, met

. . Recycling of socks used for mussel farming and experimentation with biodegradable and compostable ones. Circular innovation that protects the sea and the economy of the sector: for mussel farmers a saving of 50% on the purchase of nets The Life MUSCLES seminar at the Mostra International conference on aquaculture,

. . This year too we will be at Pordenone Fiere for Aquafarm, the international conference exhibition on aquaculture, shellfish farming, algoculture and the fishing industry. Here is the schedule of the seminar aimed at mussel farmers which will be held on February 14th from 2.00pm to 3.30pm at the Arena: Introduction and notes on the LIFE MUSCLES project

. . On 23 and 24 January, students of the Master's Degree in "Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sustainability" of the University of Siena on an educational excursion to Puglia to monitor the beach, the water column and the mussels. On the first day, the Resources and Sustainability of the Marine Environment and Monitoring courses

. . The CLEAN UP THE SEA initiative was held on 27 December 2023. Volunteers from Legambiente Liguria and Genoa took care of the beach and collected waste in anticipation of celebrating a cleaner new year!

. . We have a specific educational program aimed at involving students in activities aimed at protecting the sea from pollution, trying to strengthen the bond with their territory. To do this we propose the digital Edukit, aimed at the classes of first and second level secondary schools in Liguria

At the XII Legambiente congress, the story of Life Muscles among the outputs of the end-of-term budget and in the contribution of Professor Cristina Fossi of the University of Siena. An innovative circular economy experience that strengthens association policies and collaborations with the world of research, the

. . The conference organized by the Croatian Presidency of EUSAIR on the protection of waters and seas from pollution by plastics and microplastics was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb on 29 November 2023. Loris Pietrelli and Fabrizio Soddu were present, respectively scientific contact and Project Manager of the project who brought the

SCIENTIFIC MONITORING, BASED ON THE MARINE STRATEGY PROTOCOL. . Winter beach litter monitoring at the “Baia blu” beach in the Gulf of Poets (La Spezia). The waste was collected, monitored and characterized on the beach in front of the mussel farming plant of the Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati, selected based on the joint list released

Appointment for the Life MUSCLES partners on 10 November 2023 in the Ligurian pilot area of La Spezia. Representatives of Legambiente, Novamont, the University of Siena and the University of Bologna were present, hosted at the farm of the Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati where the project was started offshore testing of biodegradable biopolymer socks

. . . Wednesday 8 November (3pm – 5.30pm) we will be at ECOMONDO with Life MUSCLES, guests of the conference “Sustainable aquaculture: New challenges and new opportunities to define good production practices” from 3-5.30pm | Agorà Blue Economy, pavilion B6. . During the conference, the Mediterranean Aquaculture Association (AMA) and the University participate and intervene.

. . . Life MUSCLES will be with the University of Siena at “Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition” (https://makerfairerome.eu), the event promoted and organized by the Rome Chamber of Commerce, which returns for its XI edition from 20 to 22 October, in the spaces of the Rome Fair. .

. . . It is the first festival dedicated to the Italian oyster, sustainable, delicious for everyone and will be held from 6 to 8 October at the port of La Spezia - Calata Paita, an area adjacent to the cruise terminal. . It will also be an opportunity to meet the representatives of two Life MUSCLES partners directly involved in the event.

. . . At the Bright-Night European Night of Researchers with the University of Siena. The initiative is called Plastic Busters: a journey from Research to Dissemination, and will also dedicate an in-depth look to our #lifeMuscles project. When 09/29/2023 What time 16:00 Where Siena, Piazza del Campo, Il

. . . From 18 to 22 September the European conference on aquaculture EAS, European Aquaculture Society of Vienna, hosts the University of Bologna, with information materials and the researchers involved, to disseminate the report on the technical characteristics of nets for mussel farming.

The TELE NORBA ONLINE service with the interview with Matteo Del Giudice, prosecutor of our project partner Ittica Del Giudice and Angelo Giordano of Legambiente Iride, club of San Nicandro Garganico

. . . The information booths of Legambiente continue with the Circolo Iride of San Nicandro Garganico. On 11 and 12 August we were guests of the Pro Loco San Nicandro Garganico in PIAZZA DEI SAPORI GARGANICI to let everyone know about the Life MUSCLES project

. . . 6 and 7 August in Cagnano Varano the CAVU' Festival With the Circolo Iride of San Nicandro Garganico and our partners of Ittica Del Giudice, we take the opportunity to make our project known through the distribution of information materials and the meeting of visitors . The Gargano village hosts

. . . LIFE MUSCLES present at the 20th Festival of Spezzini products The mussel farmers of La Spezia await you in the Camminata Morin with demonstrations, show cooking and all the events that until September will confirm the commitment of an activity that has now lasted for more than ten years. A place to taste the typical products of the area: focaccia from La Spezia,

. . . The festival of lagoon productions will be held at the Malimi Garden of Capojale, in the Municipality of Cagnano Varano, which at 18:00 on 2 August will propose the conference entitled: "Innovative processes in mussel farming, a value for the Gargano" The festival will begin at 16:00 with the procession

Before using biodegradable and compostable biopolymer nets (socks), screening, characterization, testing and small-scale production were necessary. Novamont's work aims to evaluate the mechanical properties and environmental impact, in ecotoxicological terms, in comparison with the standard polymers currently used for the production of

. . . Awareness raising events for local communities which aim to inform resident citizens, tourists and commercial operators of the territories involved in Life MUSCLES. The Plastick Socks Busters "treasure" hunt rewards whoever collects the most nets for mussel farming, and this time in less than half an hour, 4 teams

. . . Event to raise awareness of local communities which aims to inform resident citizens, tourists and commercial operators of the territories involved in Life MUSCLES. The Plastic Socks Busters "treasure" hunt rewards whoever collects the most nets for mussel farming, and this time around 200 pieces of

. . Citizens and volunteers defending the beach. Clean Up The Sea has arrived in Puglia, on the coasts of the Northern Gargano, which will now be cleaner thanks to the volunteers of Legambiente Puglia and the Circolo IRIDE of San Nicandro Garganico. This action by Life MUSCLES aims to

. . . Awareness raising events for local communities which aim to inform resident citizens, tourists and commercial operators of the territories involved in Life MUSCLES. Everything was possible thanks to the involvement of Legambiente Puglia and the Iride club of San Nicandro Garganico, the Ittica del Giudice company which

. . . At the workshop "Marine-friendly biopolymers: characteristics and challenges", organized by Glaukos project and Bio-Plastics Europe, with the support of the European Bioplastics Research Network (EBRN) and the European Bioeconomy Network (EuBioNet). The event was held online on June 23 from 9.00 to 12.00 and for Life MUSCLES they were connected

. . Great chefs become street cooks by manipulating the products of the land; young designers produce ideas with their own hands; farmers and winemakers offer their excellence. All this is Al Mèni, things made with the hands and with the heart. Al Meni, the circus of flavors created by

. . The CLEAN UP THE SEA initiative was held on 17 June 2023 The volunteers of the Legambiente La Spezia club took care of the Fiumaretta beach in Ameglia, and collected plastic bags bags of undifferentiated glass bottles and about cigarette butts .

. . SLOW FISH HAS OPENED ITS DOORS AND DID IT BY GIVING THE SAYING TO THE GUARDIANS OF THE SEA. SINCE THE OFFICIAL INAUGURATION, WHICH HAD AMONG ITS PROTAGONISTS PAOLO VARRELLA AND NADIA MAGGIONCALDA, OF THE COOPERATIVE OF SHELLFISH FARMERS IN LEAK. Important opportunity for our project partner Cooperative Mussel Farmers Associati

. . On 𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺, was held on May 30 at Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo. Among the 40 involved there were also the representatives of the scientific office of Legambiente Onlus, remotely, who provided a descriptive card on LIFE MUSCLES included in the final booklet available here:

. . Report B.5.1 – BASIC DATA ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATE OF THE PILOT SITES BEFORE THE APPLICATION OF THE EXPERIMENTAL STOCKINGS has been published in the DOCUMENTS section. The objective of action B.5.1 is to analyze the microplastics dispersed in the water column in the two pilot sites ( La Spezia and Gargano Nord) to check the levels

. . . Activities against Marine litter: projects, monitoring and awareness campaigns. Legambiente and the University of Siena intervene to bring the LIFE MUSCLES experience to the MARLIPPO – Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution workshop, underway at the Castromediano Museum in Lecce. The workshop is an exchange of research actions,

. . . LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 is presented in Rome on Thursday 4th May. Meeting on the project dedicated to the enhancement of Natura 2000 Marine Sites in the Mediterranean in which our coordinator Marzia Mattioli participates, describing the LIFE MUSCLES actions that contribute to the well-being of the marine environment. . It will be held in Rome,

Here is the detailed program of planned project actions: A.1 – EAP Updated Version March 2023 EXECUTIVE ACTION PLAN

. . . Two days in the company of our project monitor Agnese Roccato and the Life Muscles partners. On 23 and 24 March the second important appointment was held to evaluate the progress of the project, reviewing both the technical actions and the aspects

. . . The second monitoring visit on our LIFE MUSCLES was held on 23 and 24 March in Chioggia, at the headquarters of the project partner Rom Plastica Srl An important appointment that allowed the monitor of the Timesis company Agnese Roccato to assess the state of

Draft Executive Action Plan: A.1 – Draft of the EAP Summary

. . . HERE the registration of the event Event aimed at public actors who can welcome the database and the suggestions of stakeholders for regulatory changes affecting the mussel farming sector. “With today's meeting we are addressing regional administrators, park and protected area bodies – he said

. . . . The team of the University of Bologna - Department of Veterinary Medicine with the support of the coordinating beneficiary Legambiente and the whole partnership of the LIFE Muscles project organized the dissemination event dedicated to the Report on the characteristics of the standard sock and operational guidelines for use for mussel farming ,

. . . . On February 24th at 17:00 appointment with the final event of the Mo.Ri.net project. which has as its objective the Monitoring, census, collection and start of recycling of ghost nets: The fishermen protagonists of the protection of the sea! From 18.00 among the #NETWORKING projects, there will also be a presentation

. . . . The project funded by the EU Commission comes to life, with the experimentation of biodegradable and compostable polymer nets and the activation of the mobile recycling plant which will give a second life to socks for mussel farming At the Exhibition International conference on aquaculture, algoculture and industry of fishing,

. . . AquaFarm will be held on 15 and 16 February in Pordenone and on the first day, from 14:00 to 15:30, will host the presentation of our project with a conference entitled: LIFE MUSCLES – Life MUssel Sustainable production (re)cyCLES – Promoting transition to a circular economic model

Today microplastic sampling in the Ligurian pilot area of our LIFE MUSCLES. We are there where the muscles are raised - they are not called mussels or mussels - in the Gulf of La Spezia, in that stretch of sea between the Cinque Terre park and the Magra park, in the beautiful sea of Lerici awarded

The team of the University of Siena, in collaboration with the mussel farmers of Ittica Del Giudice at work for the first monitoring of 2023. A very important project action that aims to measure the effectiveness of LIFE MUSCLES in mitigating the threat represented from the dispersion of socks for mussel farming in

Like every year, the "Christmas Seminars" (5th edition) were held in the Chemistry Department of the Sapienza University of Rome. The event, aimed at secondary school students, pursues the objective of disseminating the current research topics carried out by researchers of the Department with the aim of

Today was the fourth annual LIFE Muscles Partner Meeting. For the first time in attendance since the beginning of the project, the representatives of AMA, the Italian Aquaculture Association, Novamont, Ittica Del Giudice, the University of Siena and La Sapienza met at the headquarters of the leader Legambiente Onlus

Here you can read the report on the Italian situation regarding the mussel farming sector. Mussel Farming in Italy. With interviews with mussel farmers and other stakeholders, and a complete bibliography.

AMA - Mediterranean Aquaculture Association and CMA - Associated Mussel Farmers Cooperative of La Spezia are the partners of LIFE Muscles present at Sealogy, the international trade fair dedicated to the sea and its resources, taking place at Ferrara Expo (16-18 November 2022). Guests from over 15 countries on an international scale for plenaries, seminars

The representatives of our partner University of Bologna participate in the IX National Conference SIRAM - Italian Society of Research Applied to Shellfish Farming - with an e-poster aimed at disseminating our LIFE Muscles project at the Chamber of Commerce of Trieste. On 11 and 12 November, the scientific panorama meets

The friends of the Cooperative Mussel Farmers Associati are at Olioliva Imperia, the fair dedicated to an excellence of the Ligurian territory: extra virgin olive oil. Until Sunday 06 November at the mussel farmers' stand in La Spezia, the commitment of LIFE Muscles to make their business more sustainable. And then don't miss Gli

During the European Researchers' Night, presentation of Life MUSCLES to children and citizens. Researchers' Night is an initiative promoted by the European Commission since 2005 which every year involves thousands of researchers and research institutions in all European countries. The goal is to create meeting opportunities

Two partners of the LIFE Muscles project were also present at the congress on the European Aquaculture Society, held in Rimini from 27 to 30 September: the Mediterranean Aquaculture Association and the University of Bologna. The team from Bologna presented the LIFE_Muscles project, raising awareness among researchers and operators in the aquaculture sector from all over Europe on the

A new article entitled Polypropylene Recovery and Recycling from Mussel Nets, written by our scientific director Loris Pietrelli, has been published on Research Gate. Here the full version (in English) Below, however, an abstract: Mussels are the lowest cost source of animal protein

Life MUSCLES in the episode of Linea Blu broadcast on August 27 on Rai1 and RaiPlay. The scientific manager of the Sea Turtle Recovery Center of Manfredonia, Giovanni Furii, spoke about our project and the activities of Legambiente dedicated to the recovery of sea turtles. “Since the Center has been active, I have been

The round table that was held this morning, Thursday 4 August at the Porto Garibaldi fish market, was an important experience to discuss the opportunities of the new "Salvamare" law, which must see the active participation of all stakeholders of the coast as well as animating a discussion on how

Adriatica Collection on Seaweave, the wallpaper made with a TNT (non-woven fabric) support recycled from the PP (polypropylene) nets used in mussel farming. Waste deriving from abandoned, lost or voluntarily thrown away fishing gear is also called “ghost gear” or ALDFG (Abandoned, lost or

. After the initiative in La Spezia, 21 July from 10am onwards, it will be the turn of our Apulian friends who, with the 1st Edition of the PLASTIC SOCKS BUSTERS Campaign, will involve citizens, residents, tourists and economic operators in the hunt for socks for mussel farming dispersed on Capojale beach. Among the specific objectives of

. The 1st Edition of the PLASTIC SOCKS BUSTERS Campaign will be held on July 9th from 9am onwards, organized as part of the project action which aims to involve citizens, residents, tourists and economic operators. Among the specific objectives of the project there is also the desire to raise awareness among the general public and some target groups

. Goletta Verde returns to fight the lack of purification and pollution of the seas. Search for solutions to the climate crisis. It protects marine biodiversity and strengthens the system of protected areas. The conference to be held on board the Goletta Verde at the Assonautica port of La Spezia aims to disseminate a project

. From 20 to 23 June the Life MUSCLES project at Sapienza University of Rome will host SYNK, The First Symposium for YouNg Chemists: Innovation and Sustainability. The international conference is organized by the Department of Chemistry to promote ever greater collaboration between research groups and provide young people with ideas

The Glaukos multistakeholder workshop “Tackling microplastics pollution: can biodegradable textile and coating be a solution?” will be held online on Monday 20 June from 10.00 to 13.00. The objective of the workshop is to identify and discuss how biodegradable solutions can address microplastic pollution along the lifecycle stages of

At the Rimini Nautical Club, on Saturday 4 May from 5.30 pm, a conference on marine litter was held as part of the "Into the blue" festival organized by the Cetacea Foundation of Riccione: the University of Bologna which is a project partner , participated by bringing LIFE Muscles as an example of commitment to development

The Beach Litter Monitoring which took place on May 29th in the enchanting setting of Torre Mileto received a great deal of support from both citizens and the local administration. Many associations also took part in the awareness day thanks to the involvement work carried out by the Circolo Legambiente IRIDE of San Nicandro.

Today a very important Life Muscles action begins to evaluate the achievement of the project objectives: during the next four years, in fact, waste monitoring will be carried out on the beaches of the two pilot areas. This action aims to verify whether, thanks to the project actions, it can be registered

Life Muscles is also among the projects that Legambiente Onlus presented today at the Seas At Risk workshop. The organization involves European environmental associations that protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity through the promotion of good practices and policies to be shared and disseminated. At the center of the workshop, European interface projects

On Saturday 19 March, Professor Alessio Bonaldo presented our project among the various ones involving the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna on the theme of "New technologies and strategies for reducing the use of plastics in shellfish farming. A morning of in-depth study at the University Center for Fish Production

The first monitoring visit by Neemo EEIG – Timesis was held today, 23 February 2022, the company that will be our guide, monitor and evaluator of project performance for the next four years.

Sustainable aquaculture, a second life for the nets used to raise mussels The new Legambiente project LIFE Muscles was presented at Ecomondo, the green and circular economy fair. The nets are the third plastic waste most present in