BIO-TUTELA PROJECT: REGIONAL CENTER FOR AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY (BIOAQUA), SUPPORTING CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF COMMON BLEAK Alburnus arborella POPULATIONS

The common bleak (Alburnus arborella) is a small zooplanktivorous cyprinid fish that holds significant importance both for its ecological role in lacustrine ecosystems and its naturalistic value. Historically, it also played an important role in the fishing economy of Italian subalpine lakes.

Several factors have been identified as potential causes for the alarming decline of this freshwater species in prealpine lakes. These include the trophic evolution of water bodies, habitat alterations affecting reproduction, predation (e.g., wels catfish Silurus glanis, etc.), and competition with non-native species.

The BIO-TUTELA project, aims to conserve and protect the populations of A. arborella in the Piedmont region (Northern Italy). Managed by the Regional Centre for Aquatic Biodiversity (BIOAQUA) of the “Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria, e Valle d’Aosta (IZSPLV)”, the project focuses on key objectives, including:

1. Studying the demographic structure of A. arborella populations in the Avigliana Lakes (Turin, Italy) to develop management strategies and targeted restoration interventions;
2. Conducting genetic analyses to understand the genetic diversity of the species and identify potential conservation risks;
3. Implementing controlled breeding and aquaculture programmes to support the conservation and restoration of local fish populations.

Through these integrated actions, the project aims to provide essential data for the conservation and sustainable management of fish resources in the Piedmont region of northern Italy.