The course Ichthyology and Conservation of Fish Resources (II year, 6 ECTS/CFU) will start on the first week of October.

In this context, I am going to organize the field activity (2 ECTS/CFU) at the Regional Park La Mandria (Turin, Piedmont, NW Italy), which will be carried out together with a colleague of mine, the ichthyologist Dr. Stefano Bovero, on the days 5th, 6th and 7th of November.

The research activity of the park is mainly focused on management of indigenous freshwater fish in Piedmont. Starting 2017, the Regional Park La Mandria obtained CEE funds with the aim to renaturalize some old artificial lakes, which were in the process of being buried and with many well structured alien fish populations.

At this time, alien fishes has been removed and the basins have been renaturalized by means of works of naturalistic engineering.

The present research actions (also objective of our field activities) are the searching for native fish species within the protected area and surrounding areas, the characterization of the number and structure of the natural populations, in order to carry out reintroduction works in the renaturalized basins.

Among the most important actions, there is the reintroduction of the native Cisalpine pike (Esox cisalpinus) and, consequently, the genetic characterization of the populations still present in the area of the Park (done in collaboration with Prof. Casu).

Proposed activities on the field:

-Collecting fish samples within the park using different method, classification and preparation of cards for each species found (native or alien);

-Collecting of a fin clips for subsequent genetic analysis (at the molecular lab of Sassari).  

Proposed travel program:

-3rd of November: departure by ferry from Porto Torres to Genoa (20.30);

-4th of November: arrival in Genoa (8.30) and visit to the Aquarium in the morning. Transfer to Turin by train in the afternoon, in order to reach Turin roughly at 19.00;

-5th-6th-7th of November: field activity at the Park of La Mandria (starting about at 8.30-9.00 in the morning);

7th of November, in the afternoon: transfer by train to Genoa to take the ferry to Porto Torres (20.30).

Possibility to arrange overnight accommodation at “Cascina Oslera/Residence” (www.cascinaoslera.it), near the park.

Recommended clothing: possibly warm waterproof clothing; thigh rubber boots or waders.

For more infos, please contact me at the e-mail address: marcasu@uniss.it.

Il corso di Ittiologia e Conservazione delle risorse ittiche (II anno, 6 CFU) inizierà la prima settimana di ottobre.

In questo contesto sto organizzando l'attività sul campo (2 CFU) presso il Parco Regionale La Mandria (Torino, Piemonte, Italia NW), che sarà svolta insieme a un mio collega, l'ittiologo Dr. Stefano Bovero, nei giorni 5, 6 e 7 novembre.

Attività proposte sul campo:

-Raccolta di campioni di pesce all'interno del parco utilizzando metodi diversi, classificazione e preparazione di schede per ogni specie trovata (nativa, aliena);

-Raccolta di fin clip per le successive analisi genetiche (presso il laboratorio molecolare di Sassari).

Programma di viaggio proposto:

-3 novembre: partenza in traghetto da Porto Torres a Genova (ore 20.30);

-4 novembre: arrivo a Genova (8.30) e visita all'Acquario al mattino. Trasferimento a Torino in treno nel pomeriggio, per raggiungere Torino all'incirca alle 19.00;

5-6-7 novembre: attività sul campo nel Parco di La Mandria (a partire dalle 8.30-9.00 del mattino);

7 pomeriggio: trasferimento in treno a Genova per prendere il traghetto per Porto Torres (ore 20.30).

Possibilità di organizzare il pernottamento presso la "Cascina Oslera / Residence" (www.cascinaoslera.it), vicino al parco.

Abbigliamento consigliato: abbigliamento impermeabile possibilmente caldo; stivali alti di gomma (cosciali) o wader.

Per maggiori informazioni, vi prego di contattarmi all'indirizzo e-mail: marcasu@uniss.it.