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Increasing occurrence of the bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) poses a threat for small-scale fisheries in the central Mediterranean Sea.

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Title: Increasing occurrence of the bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) poses a threat for small-scale fisheries in the central Mediterranean Sea.
Authors: Rescio F; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, 4521, 90149, Palermo, Italy., Scianna C; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - CRIMAC, Calabria Marine Centre, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), C.da Torre Spaccata Amendolara 87071, CS, Italy. Electronic address: claudia.scianna@szn.it., Di Franco A; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, 4521, 90149, Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy., Milisenda G; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, 4521, 90149, Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy., Bava S; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Genoa Marine Centre, Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, 16126 Genoa, Italy., Bommarito C; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, 4521, 90149, Palermo, Italy., Grasso G; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Sicily Marine Centre, C.da Porticatello 29, 98167, Messina, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Ischia Marine Centre, Via Francesco Buonocore 42, 80077, Ischia, Italy., Guidetti P; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Genoa Marine Centre, Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, 16126 Genoa, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy., La Manna G; National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy; University of Sassari, Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy., Moro Merella M; University of Sassari, Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy., Calò A; National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy; University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), Via Archirafi 20-22, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
Source: Journal of environmental management [J Environ Manage] 2025 Dec; Vol. 395, pp. 127773. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 27.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Academic Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0401664 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1095-8630 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03014797 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Environ Manage Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: London ; New York, Academic Press.
MeSH Terms: Fisheries*, Animals ; Mediterranean Sea ; Climate Change ; Ecosystem ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Introduced Species
Abstract: Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Climate change is reshaping the distribution and abundance of marine species globally, with rising temperatures driving the spread of warm-water organisms. The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a climate change hotspot where several warm water species are expanding, such as the bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata, showing strong potential to become new native invaders. This trend carries important ecological and socio-economic implications, particularly for small-scale fisheries (SSF), a sector often overlooked despite its vital societal role. To investigate long-term ecological shifts, this study draws on Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) to assess changes in H. carunculata occurrence, its perceived impact on SSF, and fishers' willingness to engage in mitigation activities. Structured interviews were conducted with 120 fishers in 12 coastal locations across Italy during 2023-2024. Results revealed a geographic gradient: high fireworm occurrence in the southeast, and rare or absent sightings in the northwest. Responses indicated a progressive rise in occurrence from 1990 to 2024, highlighting the species' role in the ongoing 'meridionalization' of the Mediterranean. Set nets were identified as the most impacted gear, followed by traps and bottom longlines. This impact appears linked to the benthic nature of both the species and these static fishing gears, which are particularly susceptible to scavenging by H. carunculata. In high-impact areas, fishers, especially younger ones, expressed a strong willingness to participate in collaborative mitigation initiatives, with particular emphasis on eradication strategies. These findings offer critical insights into species dynamics and support the development of ecosystem-based, adaptive management in a warming climate.
(Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Fisher engagement; Impact; Local Ecological Knowledge; Mitigation activities; Native invader
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20251028 Date Completed: 20251203 Latest Revision: 20251203
Update Code: 20251203
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127773
PMID: 41151282
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br />Climate change is reshaping the distribution and abundance of marine species globally, with rising temperatures driving the spread of warm-water organisms. The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a climate change hotspot where several warm water species are expanding, such as the bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata, showing strong potential to become new native invaders. This trend carries important ecological and socio-economic implications, particularly for small-scale fisheries (SSF), a sector often overlooked despite its vital societal role. To investigate long-term ecological shifts, this study draws on Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) to assess changes in H. carunculata occurrence, its perceived impact on SSF, and fishers' willingness to engage in mitigation activities. Structured interviews were conducted with 120 fishers in 12 coastal locations across Italy during 2023-2024. Results revealed a geographic gradient: high fireworm occurrence in the southeast, and rare or absent sightings in the northwest. Responses indicated a progressive rise in occurrence from 1990 to 2024, highlighting the species' role in the ongoing 'meridionalization' of the Mediterranean. Set nets were identified as the most impacted gear, followed by traps and bottom longlines. This impact appears linked to the benthic nature of both the species and these static fishing gears, which are particularly susceptible to scavenging by H. carunculata. In high-impact areas, fishers, especially younger ones, expressed a strong willingness to participate in collaborative mitigation initiatives, with particular emphasis on eradication strategies. These findings offer critical insights into species dynamics and support the development of ecosystem-based, adaptive management in a warming climate.<br /> (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
ISSN:1095-8630
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127773