title: Activities and vectors responsible for the biological pollution in the Taranto Seas (Mediterranean Sea, southern Italy): a review.
abstract: Biological pollution, caused by the negative impact of alien species, also known as non-indigenous species (NIS), is regarded as one of the greatest threat to marine ecosystems. The recent upsurge in the number and spread of these species drew attention to putative vectors such as shipping and shellfish importation for culture and consumption. The port of Taranto in Southern Italy is a hub for several vectors as it serves commercial and military shipping, fishing and recreational boating, in addition to shellfish importation. An analysis of anthropogenic activities and possible vectors in Taranto Seas was recently carried out within the framework of the RITMARE Project, involving local stakeholders. Different categories of stakeholders answered dedicated questionnaires with a high degree of reticence, and this highlighted a general lack of awareness of the problems associated with alien species. Consequently, there is a strong need to instil a truly ecological awareness among the general public and stakeholders.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Marine Coastal Environment (IAMC), UOS Taranto - CNR, via Roma 3, 74121, Taranto, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cecere
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Marine Coastal Environment (IAMC), UOS Taranto - CNR, via Roma 3, 74121, Taranto, Italy. antonella.petrocelli@iamc.cnr.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrocelli
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Marine Coastal Environment (IAMC), UOS Taranto - CNR, via Roma 3, 74121, Taranto, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belmonte
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Marine Coastal Environment (IAMC), UOS Taranto - CNR, via Roma 3, 74121, Taranto, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Portacci
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Marine Coastal Environment (IAMC), UOS Taranto - CNR, via Roma 3, 74121, Taranto, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rubino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006802:Human Activities; D058865:Introduced Species; D007558:Italy; D008522:Mediterranean Sea
keywords: Alien species; Biological pollution; Ionian Sea; Mediterranean Sea; Taranto; Vectors of introduction