As part of the UNDERSEA project (Interreg Italy–Croatia), the team from the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries participated in the 17th Crofish Fair in Poreč, the largest Croatian event dedicated to fisheries, fishing gear, aquaculture, recreational fishing, and water sports. On this occasion, the Noise Clean Up initiative was organised, an educational event aimed at raising awareness of the growing problem of underwater noise in the Adriatic Sea and its harmful effects on marine ecosystems.
Researchers from the Institute presented the main sources of anthropogenic noise to visitors, ranging from recreational and fishing vessel traffic to industrial activities. They explained how excessive noise can disrupt the behaviour, communication, and migration patterns of marine organisms. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of systematic monitoring and mitigation measures, as well as the role of the Institute in assessing and tracking the state of the marine environment.
The event also featured the presentation of the UNDERSEA citizen-science mobile application, developed to record the movements of small vessels not covered by the AIS (Automatic Identification System), including recreational boats and smaller fishing and working vessels. These vessels represent a significant, yet often overlooked, source of underwater noise. The application is a valuable tool for underwater sound analysis, as it enables the collection of data on broader nautical traffic. All collected data are used exclusively to improve models of underwater sound propagation in the Adriatic Sea.
Over the course of three days, the event attracted a large number of visitors and encouraged active discussions with boat owners, fishers, tourism professionals, and other marine stakeholders. Researchers engaged with the public on issues observed at sea and explained how individuals can contribute to reducing underwater noise. Noise Clean Up thus became a platform for dialogue and exchange of experiences between scientists and sea users, with a shared conclusion: joint action is essential for the effective protection of the Adriatic Sea.
We invite everyone to join the initiative, download the application, take part in the research, and support science in protecting the Adriatic.
The application is available on:
