Reintroduction of fish species of Community interest in the watercourses of the S.I.R. of the National Park of the Casentino Forests Monte Falterona and Campigna

The project is aimed at the conservation of four species of conservation interest related to aquatic environments, through breeding and captive breeding of individuals taken in the streams of the Park, with subsequent release in nature: the Barbo Tiberino (Barbus tyberinus), the Brook goby (Padogobius nigricans), the endemic Mediterranean brown trout (Salmo farioides/Salmo ghigi) and the River crayfish (Austropotamobius italicus).

Specifically, the project included the following phases of work:

• surveys in the Tyrrhenian side of the Park to increase knowledge on the distribution of the present species and to identify the source populations of the target species from which to take specimens for reproduction; genetic characterisation of trout and crayfish.
• drafting of “Operational Protocols” and obtaining authorisations for the activities of capture, reproduction, breeding and release in kind;
• technical supervision of the start-up phase of breeding and breeding in captivity and subsequent restocking on the Park streams in order to increase the natural populations of a “pilot” species;
• dissemination activities aimed at the dissemination and promotion of the project and the involvement of stakeholders to encourage educational activities, tourism, but especially conservation.