The Ramsar Convention (1971) emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, encompassing 1,100 sites across Europe that cover 27.9 million hectares. Coastal Mediterranean lagoons are crucial for fish production and biodiversity but face increasing pressures from human activities. Approximately 400 lagoons exist in this region, covering 641,000 hectares, where traditional aquaculture practices have been implemented. However, the degradation of these ecosystems has prompted investigations into the environmental and health impacts of such activities.
Italy hosts 198 coastal environments, totalling over 167,000 hectares, with 40,000 hectares dedicated to extensive aquaculture. Key species include the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), Japanese carpet shell (Ruditapes philippinarum), and Pacific cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas), along with significant mullet species such as thinlip grey mullet (Chelon ramada) and flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus).
Sardinia, with its extensive 1,900 km coastline, contains 77 brackish environments, 27 of which are used for aquaculture, notably the lagoons of Cabras and S. Giovanni-Marceddì, which are vital for the production of the grooved carpet shell (Ruditapes decussatus). This species is harvested seasonally, contributing significantly to local aquaculture and cultural identity.
This study investigates the morphometric and environmental variations of R. decussatus across different coastal sites in Sardinia. Measurements of shell length (cm), width (cm), and thickness (cm) were taken from specimens collected at various sites, revealing substantial morphological variation. Results indicate that shell characteristics correlate with environmental factors. These findings underscore the necessity for continuous environmental monitoring to support sustainable management practices in both wild populations and aquaculture systems.