Mercury (Hg) is a pollutant that has toxic effects on ecosystems and biota. As it biomagnifies in the food chain, its presence in edible fish poses a high risk to human health. Herein, total Hg (THg) content was quantified in 2018–2019 using thermal decomposition amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry in muscle tissue of red mullet (Mullus barbatus), a commercially important species throughout the Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea). Specimens were grouped into 16 pools based on sex, reproductive stages, and sampling area. The overall mean value of THg content was 0.20 ± 0.15 mg kg⁻¹ in terms of wet weight. THg levels in males and females showed no statistically significant differences, whereas specimens that were captured in open sea showed a higher THg content than coastal samples. Statistically significant differences between THg content and the reproductive stages of fish were found in females. However, neither lipid content nor fish length were statistically correlated with THg content. The analyzed specimens were considered to be safe food according to EU directives, but it is necessary to exercise caution and further investigate Italian people in the 0–18 age group, because they were found to be exposed to a higher dose of methylmercury than the safety threshold set by the EFSA.

Fisheries management requires improvement in scientific knowledge to ensure sustainable exploitation of important commercial species and population renewal. Within this context, this study focused on the reproductive biology of spot tail mantis shrimp, Squilla mantis, in the Central Mediterranean Sea, aiming to understand the reproductive pattern of this species and validate the macroscopic maturity scale through histological analysis. A multi-year sampling was performed from 2016 to 2020 by a commercial fishing fleet in the Northern Central Adriatic Sea (GSA 17), and a total of 2206 individuals were collected. The monthly average value of the total sex ratio of S. mantis was 0.524 ± 0.044 (mean ± SEM) in favor of females, which dominated the population from September to April. The proposed 5 stage macroscopic maturity scale was validated histologically through histological analysis, confirming synchronous ovarian development. The somatic indexes (GSI and K Fulton) and monthly incidence of macroscopic ovarian maturity stages highlighted a protracted reproductive season from winter to spring (January–May). Although the length-weight relationship showed a similar growth trend between genders, males reached a bigger size in terms of carapace length (C.L.) and dominated the population from 32 mm (C.L.). The macroscopic L50 estimated was 25.94 mm (C.L.).

This research investigates the dynamics of contaminant exposure in European hake (Merluccius merluccius, L. 1758) from the Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) by examining the levels of total mercury (THg) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the muscle fish tissues. The study explores the correlations between these pollutants and somatic indexes to identify the early warning signals of pollution and ecological effects. The levels of pollutants are influenced by season and sex. Lipids appear to have a minimal effect on the PAH levels, whereas they exhibit a positive correlation with mercury levels in the muscle. No significant relationships between the pollutants and condition indexes were observed, except for a positive correlation between THg and the gonadosomatic index, indicating a potential impact on the reproductive health of fish. In contrast, PAHs showed no meaningful correlation with condition indexes. Differences in contaminant accumulations and lipid levels between sexes reflect variations in metabolic activity, reproductive costs, and adaptive strategies to seasonal changes and energy demands. This study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring to improve pollution management, environmental conservation, and the protection of marine organisms’ health.

The AgrI-fiSh project has been funded under Horizon 2020 - PRIMA, with the research partnership of three Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Italy and Spain. The project will contribute to the transition to a more resilient agro-livelihood system through an innovative and circular farming approach, which promotes an efficient use of biological and natural resources with a valuable increase in productivity. New potential for farms, agri-food systems and local markets will arise from the valorization of agricultural wastes to be used for the creation of high-value plant-based feeds for a sustainable inland aquaculture. Nutraceutical potential of specific agricultural wastes (i.e grape seeds, legumes and cereals), in combination with other components, as Lactic Acid Bacteria (LABs) fermented whey and medicinal herbs, to create plant-based feeds for aquaculture, will foster animal and human health with consequent benefits for the environment, local economies and consumers.