Italian seas continue to be a dynamic ecosystem, also influenced by the presence of non -native species. To monitor and inform about the spread of these “invasive aliens”, The “Attentive to those 4!” campaign, joint initiative of Ispra (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) and CNR-IRBIM (Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology of the National Research Council of Ancona) starts again). The goal is Take the presence of Scorpio fish and three other tropical species potentially dangerous on the Italian coasts. Attention to these phenomena is enhanced by a recent study published in the magazine Mediterranean Marine Science
which confirmed the Ionian Sea as one of the most vulnerable areas to this invasion.
The mapping of the presence of the Scorpio fish (Pterois Miles) in the Mediterranean, updated in March 2025, reveals a total of 1,840 reports from the different countries of the basin. The species shows a clear tendency to spread also in Italian waters, with the Ionian Sea which is confirmed as an area of ​​particular vulnerability.
The campaign “Attentive to those 4!” It extends the fishermen’s appeal, underwater and anyone who has observed or captured in the Italian seas not only the scorpion fish, but also three other potentially dangerous tropical species: the spotted ball fish, the dark rabbit fish and the striped rabbit fish. Citizenship is invited to provide its support to inform about the presence of these invasive species in our seas.
ISPRA and CNR-IRBIM, in collaboration with the Alienfish project, relaunch the initiative by also providing useful indications to recognize these species, prevent unpleasant accidents and actively contribute to the monitoring of their diffusion. Citizens can document observations with photos or videos and send their contribution via the link https://shortur.at/jm87a. Alternatively, you can use WhatsApp at +320 4365210 or Facebook groups Oddfish and Mediterranean Marine Fauna, using the hashtag #Attentive4.
This edition of the campaign is part of the wake of the previous initiatives started from 2022, in consideration of the growing reports and catches of alien species in Italian waters, in particular of the Scorpio fish, by underwater and fishermen. The data collected have been displayed in new distribution maps and compared with the forecasts provided by distribution models of the previously developed species. All the new observations have been integrated into the dataset of the Ormef portal (www.ormef.eu), thus constituting the most updated collection of data on the presence of Pterois Miles (or Fish Scorpio) in the Mediterranean Sea.
Manuela Falautano, researcher of the ISPRA and coordinator of the countryside, underlined: “The increase in catches and reports by fishermen and divers, on the one hand confirms the important role they play to support researchers in the surveillance activity of the spread of alien species, on the other hand highlights the need to expand the involvement of the operators of the sea and to promote a clear communication activity to citizenship on the species potentially dangerous for human health, without creating alarmisms“.
Ernesto Azzurro, researcher at the CNR-Irbim, coordinated the study Recently published on Mediterranean Marine Science, which provided an in -depth update on the distribution of Scorpio fish in the Mediterranean Sea, With a total of 1,840 georeferential reports. “Most of the new sightings are concentrated in the Ionian Sea, one of the areas which, according to climatic projections, feature the highest risk of increasing vulnerability to invasion by this tropical species, together with the most southern regions of the Adriatic Sea. The results of the study offer significant indications on the continuous expansion process of Pterois Miles, confirming the reliability of the models and underlining the urgency of implementing effective monitoring and management strategies“, he explained blue.
The research, carried out With the collaboration of the Alienfish project in the context of Useit and NBFC initiatives, it has made it possible to view the data in new distribution maps and to compare them with the pre -existing models forecasts, feeding the Ormef portal With the most updated data collection on the presence of Pterois Miles in the Mediterranean.
Ecco In detail the four “alien” species on which the monitoring campaign is concentrated:
Scorpio fish (Pterois Miles): entered the Suez canal and reported for the first time in Italy in 2016, is among the most invasive species globally. Although it is edible, its thorns can cause very painful stings, even hours after the death of the animal.
Pales Palla defiled (Lagocephalus criminal): Also from the Suez canal, it was reported in Italy in 2013. characterized by dark spots on the back, it has a powerful neurotoxin that makes it highly toxic to consumption, even after cooking. Its teeth is also able to inflict painful bites.
Dark rabbit fish (Siganus Luridus) and striped rabbit fish (Siganus Rivulatus): both Lessepsians, have been reported in Italy respectively in 2003 and 2015. Particularly invasive herbivorous species, they are edible, but their thorns can cause painful pains, even post-transtems.
The collaboration between scientific institutions and citizenship proves to be crucial for the safeguarding of marine biodiversity and the safety of our coastal ecosystems in the face of these new challenges.