RECENT TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THEADRIATIC-SEA PROBLEMS

The main eutrophication-related phenomena in the Adriatic Sea such as phytoplankton blooms, anoxia, macroalgae proliferation, gel production and toxic algae are briefly presented, A cost-benefit evaluation of d ifferent phosphorus control strategies for the recovery of the norther n Adriatic coastal waters is summarized. The ongoing and planned activ ities considered by the Italian Authorities are illustrated. They incl ude the definition of a research programme and an operative research p roject (responsibility of the Ministry for the Scientific Research and University) and the development of the Master Plan (responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment) to provide decision makers with a so und information to implement policies for the restoration of the marin e ecosystem, The general objectives of the research programme are: a) to maximize effectiveness of the research efforts aiming to be consist ent with real needs, b) to eliminate unnecessary programmes; c) to ens ure optimal use of existing infrastructures, d) to allow the developme nt of a sound Master Plan and e) to promote cooperation with national and international programmes, The research programme recognizes seven topics, i.e. physical oceanography and dynamic characters, nutrients, toxic substances, biological agents, modification of marine habitats, present status of the Adriatic ecosystem and human health. For each it em priorities for action are indicated. Finally, the goals of the Mast er Plan (responsibility of the Ministry for the Environment) are liste d, They include the definition of a feasible project for the restorati on of the basin using alternative methods of intervention, taking into consideration the compatibility between the predicted uses of the wat erbody, the assessment of the efficiency of the predicted measures in relation to the use of the resources on one hand, and the priorities f or the same measures on the other.