CESAM, in partnership with the Department of Biology of the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) and the University of Alcalá (Spain), organized the international intensive course Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) entitled “Recovery of Ghost Nets as an Opportunity to Study Marine Biodiversity.”
The course combined online theoretical sessions with a practical component held in the Marine Protected Area “Regno di Nettuno”, on the island of Procida (Italy). During the fieldwork phase, European students and researchers engaged in the recovery of abandoned fishing gear—commonly known as ghost nets—and in the analysis of the marine biodiversity associated with these structures. The theoretical component enabled participants to deepen their scientific knowledge and promoted academic exchange across institutions.
In addition to its educational purpose, this initiative stood out for encouraging transnational and interdisciplinary scientific collaborations, which are essential to understanding and mitigating the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems. The course may serve as a basis for future editions and contribute to strengthening a European research network focused on marine biodiversity and conservation.