CapSenHAR capitalizes on the strategic results of the HARMONY and SenHAR projects, expanding their scope and impact. The project extends the non-indigenous species (NIS) surveillance framework developed under HARMONY into an operational early warning system within new cross-border Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Through a diverse network of marine stakeholders, the project promotes knowledge sharing among local and cross-border observers. The awareness campaign "P stands for Fish, not Plastic," already tested in SenHAR, will be replicated and strengthened in new target areas, increasing citizen engagement.

Innovative educational tools, such as the educational game "I Measure You Thermoblitz" and the marine temperature sensor app, will be relaunched to raise awareness among students, citizens, tourists, fishermen, and divers about the effects of climate change in MPAs.

CapSenHAR aims to achieve lasting knowledge transfer by promoting environmental education and citizen science activities, ensuring a sustainable impact in the medium to long term.

The project involves joint actions within cross-border Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), aimed at protecting marine and terrestrial biodiversity through the following activities:

• Active involvement of MPAs in Italy and Malta for environmental protection;

• Adoption of common tools for monitoring and early response to threats (e.g., alien species, marine litter) through the implementation of shared monitoring systems to promote participatory and long-lasting environmental governance;

• Awareness-raising and training of citizens and local stakeholders to strengthen the culture of conservation through awareness campaigns and the use of innovative educational tools.

The project activities will achieve:

• Implementation of an Early Warning system for non-indigenous species (NIS), based on the HARMONY framework, in new MPAs forming a cross-border network covering an area of 100 km². This will strengthen response and prevention capacity in biodiversity conservation;

• "P stands for Fish, not Plastic" Campaign (CapSenHAR Edition) to raise awareness among a greater number of citizens and stakeholders about marine litter in cross-border MPAs. This action enhances environmental awareness of the fragility of marine ecosystems;

• "I Measure You Thermoblitz" Gaming (CapSenHAR Edition): An educational and citizen science initiative to raise awareness about the impact of marine heatwaves in MPAs. Based on the format developed in SenHAR, it will be extended to additional sites to increase participation.

Project Lead Partner:

• University of Palermo

Project Partners:

• University of Malta

• Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)

• Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, Sicily Marine Centre

Email

rettore@unipa.it