The project

LIFE PREDATOR aims to combat the spread and further introductions of European catfish Silurus glanis in Southern Europe, where it is an alien invasive species,  contributing to the application of the EU IAS Regulation n. 1143/2014 in southern European lakes. An early detection system based on environmental DNA will be tested and developed in 48 lakes in Italy and in Portugal; the same system will be tested in 2 lakes in Czech Republic as reference condition in environments where the species is native and where it is welcome as native species. Data from eDNA will be integrated with citizen science records. In 10 selected lakes where the species is widespread and abundant, different capture methodologies are tested to select the best selective and effective capture method, which will be then applied to reduce the catfish biomass by 90 % in 5 small and isolated Natura 2000 lakes, at least 10 % in large lakes and reservoirs, 50 % in small reservoirs and involving in these activities at least 130 commercial fishermen and 100 anglers. Massive awareness-raising campaigns are organized targeting specifically anglers (at least 400,000) but also the general public, expecting to reach 1 million people at the end of the project, including 12,000 school children. Protocols and best practices are transferred to at least 15 management authorities to be integrated into their management plans, particularly of Natura 2000 sites. For the replication of the project results, a South European catfish Management Group (SEMG) is created. Additionally, to sustain the project goals where the catfish invasion is more advanced (i.e., northern Italy), the creation of a local circular economy is proposed, looking for the best solution to make the catfish more palatable and thus increasing the fishing pressure on catfish by encouraging its consumption as food. The catfish removed during control campaigns will be used for the preparation of meals sold at fair prices by social cooperatives to at least 1,000 people facing socio-economic challenges.

The project structure in Work Packages (WPs)

WP1

WP1 will provide the overall coordination and management of LIFE PREDATOR and facilitate exchange and interactions between the consortium partners and key stakeholders. Furthermore, WP1 will monitor project progress, guaranteeing the timely accomplishment of milestones and production of deliverables and implementing the communication and outreach plan. Finally, WP1 will coordinate the request of authorizations required for conducting proposed activities to competent authorities in each country.

WP1 includes:

Task 1.1 – Preparation of administrative procedures for the project execution

Task 1.2 – Project management

Task 1.3 – Authorizations’ request

Task 1.4 – Communication planning and management

WP2

The overall objective of WP2 is to compile and evaluate social and ecological information of selected lakes and reservoirs to develop a baseline to understand the socio-ecological systems where catfish is/or can be established.
A map of key stakeholders and a report on stakeholder analyses are drafted; a database on lake habitat characteristics is created and operative (OT), warning (WT) and evaluation teams (ET) are established and trained.
The modelling of catfish spatial distribution and habitat use preferences is performed
Catfish abundance and population size-structure to use as baseline for catfish eradication and control actions in lakes is determined and fish community composition and size structure are characterized.
An Invasion Risk Assessment and an Ecosystem functioning assessment are drafted.

WP2 includes:

Task 2.1 Stakeholder analyses and local alliance groups

Task 2.2 Building and instruction of Specialized Teams

Task 2.3 Spatial distribution and habitat use of catfish in lakes

Task 2.4 Collection and Indexing of data on characteristics of 50 targeted lakes

Task 2.5  Definition of baseline abundance of European catfish in lakes, fish communities’ characteristics, ecological status according to the WFD 2000/EC

WP3

The overall objective of WP3 is to develop effective protocols for catfish control and eradication in different lake typologies (large and small lakes and large and small reservoirs). The expected result is to define the best practices for capturing catfish in different lake typologies, considering best gears, and habitats and time periods with high probability of catfish occurrence.

WP3 includes:

Task 3.1 – Definition of the best capture methodology in large natural lake typology

Task 3.2 – Definition of best capture methodology in small natural lakes typology

Task 3.3 – Definition of best capture methodology in small and large reservoir typologies

WP4

The objective of WP4 is to develop an effective system for early detection and spread assessment of catfish in lakes, using information derived from environmental DNA (eDNA) and citizen science. The expected results are:

-Creation of an eDNA assay protocol (qPCR) for the detection of catfish in lakes

-Improvement of Italian and Portuguese effectiveness in detecting the presence of catfish in lakes as early as possible

-Construction of a database integrating results from eDNA and citizen science to update catfish distribution

WP4 includes:

Task 4.1 – Development of highly specific eDNA test to detect European catfish in lakes

Task 4.2 – Catfish early detection system based on eDNA

Task 4.3 – Catfish early detection system based on citizen science

Task 4.4 –Data gathering and validation

WP5

WP5 aims at controling and eradicating European catfish in different lake typologies. The expected results are:
– 10% reduction of catfish biomass in large L. Maggiore
– 90 % reduction of catfish biomass in small Italian lakes Comabbio, Sirio, Avigliana grande, Avigliana Piccolo, Campagna
– 10% reduction of catfish biomass in the two large Portuguese reservoirs Cedillo and Fratel
– 50 % reduction of catfish biomass in two small Portuguese reservoirs Belver and Meimoa

WP5 includes:

Task 5.1 – European catfish control in large lakes typology

Task 5.2 – European catfish eradication in small lakes tipology

Task 5.3 – European catfish control in small and large reservoirs typology

WP6

WP6  aims at evaluating and monitoring project impacts on lake biodiversity, catfish abundances, lake ecosystem functioning and services and social perception.

The expected results are:
– List of eukaryotic taxa present in treatment lakes before and after project actions
– Assessment of catfish reduction in treatment lakes
– List of fish species, relative abundances, and size structure in the treatment lakes before and after eradication activities
– Characterization of lakes’ food web structure (trophic diversity and redundancy) before and after eradications actions
– Report on changes in ecosystem services
– Report on the changes in stakeholder’s awareness and perception across the project

WP6 includes:

Task 6.1 – Impacts of catfish removal on lake biodiversity

Task 6.2 – Monitoring of the European catfish removal in small lakes and its impact on fish community and the ecological status according to the WFD2000/60/EC

Task 6.3 – Monitoring of the European catfish removal in large lake and its impact on fish community and the ecological status according to the WFD2000/60/EC

Task 6.4 -Monitoring European catfish removal in small and large reservoirs and its impact on fish community

Task 6.5 – Impact of catfish removal on lake ecosystem functioning

Task 6.6 – Impacts of catfish removal on Ecosystem Services

Task 6.7 – Assessment of social impacts

WP7

The aim of WP7 is to develop a strategy for the self-sustainment, replication and exploitation of the project’s results and guidelines. It expects to gain these results:
– From by-catch to food: developing a locally based circular economy for the exploitation catfish as a food around large lakes
– Develop a south-European institutional network for a joint strategy to control and prevent catfish invasion
– Raise awareness among fishermen and anglers to effectively stop further introductions
– Transfer knowledge on catfish control technics
– Transfer the knowledge on the use of eDNA monitoring tool to current and future environmental practitioners

WP7 includes:

Task 7.1 – Experimentation and identification of the best method to process and cook the European catfish

Task 7.2 – Instituting a South European catfish management group (SEMG)

Task 7.3 – Raising awareness events

Task 7.4 – Meeting with catfishing practitioners

Task 7.5 – Transfer of knowledge on European catfish control gears and capture methods

Task 7.6 – Transfer of knowledge on eDNA use in environmental monitoring

Task 7.7 – Exploitation plan ensuring an after-LIFE conservation strategy

WP8

The aim of WP8 is to disseminate the project LIFE-PREDATOR, its actions and results to the citizens (Society in general and stakeholders), maximizing its impact and ensuring its visibility s. It expects to gain these results:
– Build the visual identity of the project to make it immediately recognizable and enhance effectiveness of the dissemination
– Create a dissemination pack to enhance project identity, objectives, and results (website and social media pages)
– Present the project’s objectives and results to a large audience, expecting to reach at least 1 million people during public dissemination events, travelling and permanent exhibitions
– Reach at least 12000 students with dedicated environmental education program
– Produce a technical-scientific monograph on the European catfish invasion and the control methods

WP8 includes:

Task 8.1 – Development of a dissemination pack

Task 8.2 – Press releases/newsletters and networking with other projects

Task 8.3 – Public dissemination events

Task 8.4 – Educational activities for students

Task 8.5 – Participation to Fishing Fairs and articles in the specialized press

Task 8.6 – Scientific congresses and scientific publications

Task 8.7 – Technical-scientific monograph on the European catfish invasion and the control methods