The research activity of the Fishery Biology Unit deals with the biology and ecology of species of commercial interest (fish, bivalve molluscs and crustaceans). The main subjects of our studies are the reproduction, growth, feeding and fisheries ecology of these species. These investigations are mainly carried out in the Adriatic Sea, both in coastal areas and in trawable grounds in deeper waters. The biological knowledge acquired is treated statistically and used to evaluate resources and exploitation levels. These data then aid the generation of scientific opinions towards the best management strategies for the fishery in question.

In this regard, the Fishery Biology Unit is involved in a number of National and International programs; among these there are or have been programs on:

• the fishery biology and larval ecology of small pelagic species (EU Project SARDONE);
• the study of the interactions between anoxic events and fisheries landings by means of time series analysis (EU Project EMMA, and ANOCSIA funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research);
• the biological and ecological consequences of alternative fishing tactics for demersal species (Norway lobster in particular) (e.g. EU Project NECESSITY);
• the stock assessment of crustaceans (Norway lobster) through the use of fishery independent methodologies (towed Underwater Television);
• the analysis of ecosystem structure and fishing impacts in the Adriatic Sea through the use of mass balance models (CNR funded bilateral agreement between ISMAR and CSIC (Barcelona), and EU Project SESAME);
• the assessment of clam fisheries in the central Adriatic sea (a long term research project carried out in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MIPAAF));
• the ecological impacts of hydraulic clam dredgers (EU Project 99/078);
• the study of fishing fleet behaviour through the use of GPS-linked position recording (EU Project 99/077);
• the study of invasive bivalves and their impact on auotchthonous fisheries resources;
• the evaluation of the feasibility of a proposed Marine Protected Area (“parco marino del Piceno”) in a coastal zone of the western Adriatic Sea;
• the translation of biodiversity- and fishery-related terms from English to Italian using FishBase as a working template (EU Project “European Network for Biodiversity Information” (ENBI));

The management of the fisheries resources has a strict connection with the related legislation. For this reason this Unit has constructed and compiled an interactive database collecting all European, National and Regional fishing laws. Furthermore, the Unit is responsible for teaching fisheries biology and legislation to the Coast Guard staff, which in Italy act as Fisheries Inspectors.

This Unit is also managing an ichthyological collection used as reference for faunistical studies.