The endangerment of the noble pen shell ( Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Plemenita periska je endemski školjkaš Sredozemnog mora. Njezine populacije su pod velikim antropogenim pritiskom i u zadnjih par desetljeća doživljavaju ogroman pad u brojnosti i veličini populacija. Gubitak staništa, sidrenje, ilegalno sakupljanje i korištenje nedozvoljenih ribolovnih alata su glavni razlozi smanjenja populacija ove vrste. U novije vrijeme sve veći problem predstavljaju invazivne vrste, infekcija parazitom Haplosporidium pinnae i klimatske promjene te promjene u hranidbenoj mreži. Cilj ovog rada bio je opisati utjecaj navedenih prijetnji na vrstu Pinna nobilis i učinkovitost mjera njezine zaštite. Iako je plemenita periska zaštićena Direktivom o staništima i Barcelonskom konvencijom, ilegalne radnje su među glavnim razlozima nestanka ove vrste. Trebalo bi poboljšati edukaciju i percepciju javnosti o ugroženosti plemenite periske te pojačati kontrolu nad ribarima i roniocima.The noble pen shell is the endemic bivalve of the Mediterranean Sea. Her population has been under great anthropogenic pressure and in the last few decades, it has experienced a huge decline in the number and size of its population. Habitat loss, anchoring, illegal collection by divers due to its beauty and use of unauthorized fishing gear are the main reasons for endangering of this species. Recently, increasing problems are caused by invasive species, an infection caused by parasite Haplosporidium pinnae, climate change and food web alterations. The aim of this paper was to describe the impact of the mentioned threats on Pinna nobilis and the effectiveness of its protection measures. Although the noble pen shell is protected by the Habitat Directive and the Barcelona Convention, illegal activities are among the main causes of the endangerment of this species. We should improve the education and raise awareness about the endangerment of the noble pen shell and increase the control of fishermen and divers