Species and indicators
The list is deliberately short: each entry answers a research question and can be recognised after the planned training. The final list is to be agreed with the scientific advisers.
Fish
-
Dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus
- Indicator of
- Protection effect
- Who records it
- all levels
Long-lived predator, sensitive to fishing: abundance and size grow with protection.
-
Brown meagre Sciaena umbra
- Indicator of
- Protection effect
- Who records it
- all levels
Vulnerable species, easy to recognise.
-
Sea breams Diplodus spp.
- Indicator of
- Protection effect
- Who records it
- from Surveyor level up
Abundant; their size responds to fishing pressure.
-
Ornate wrasse Thalassoma pavo
- Indicator of
- Warming
- Who records it
- all levels
Warm-water species spreading northwards.
-
Parrotfish Sparisoma cretense
- Indicator of
- Warming
- Who records it
- all levels
Warm-water species spreading northwards.
-
Bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii
- Indicator of
- Alien species
- Who records it
- all levels
- Photo
- required
Indo-Pacific species spreading in the Mediterranean.
-
Lionfish Pterois miles
- Indicator of
- Alien species
- Who records it
- all levels
- Photo
- required
Spreading Indo-Pacific species, a priority for early warning.
Invertebrates
-
Red gorgonian (damaged colonies) Paramuricea clavata
- Indicator of
- Warming
- Who records it
- from Surveyor level up
Hit by mass mortality in the hottest summers; the share of damaged colonies is estimated.
-
Live noble pen shell Pinna nobilis
- Indicator of
- Protected species
- Who records it
- all levels
- Photo
- required
- Position
- blurred on public maps, to protect it
Nearly wiped out by an epidemic since 2016; every live individual must be reported and never touched.
Algae and plants
-
Neptune grass Posidonia oceanica
- Indicator of
- Habitat condition
- Who records it
- from Operator level up
Priority habitat; shoot density and lower limit reveal water quality and mechanical damage.
-
Caulerpa Caulerpa cylindracea
- Indicator of
- Alien species
- Who records it
- from Surveyor level up
- Photo
- required
Invasive alga spread over rocky and soft bottoms.
Reptiles
-
Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta
- Indicator of
- Protected species, Pelagos
- Who records it
- all levels
- Photo
- required
Sightings with photos, useful to regional networks and to the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Marine mammals
-
Cetaceans
- Indicator of
- Protected species, Pelagos
- Who records it
- all levels
- Photo
- required
Sightings with photos, useful to regional networks and to the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Marine litter
-
Litter: plastic
- Indicator of
- Human pressure
- Who records it
- all levels
Standard categories, comparable with national surveys.
-
Litter: fishing gear
- Indicator of
- Human pressure
- Who records it
- all levels
-
Litter: glass
- Indicator of
- Human pressure
- Who records it
- all levels
-
Litter: metal
- Indicator of
- Human pressure
- Who records it
- all levels
-
Litter: other
- Indicator of
- Human pressure
- Who records it
- all levels
Damage
-
Anchoring damage on Neptune grass
- Indicator of
- Human pressure
- Who records it
- from Surveyor level up
Furrows and uprooted shoots in the meadow.