Project duration: 03/2026 – 10/2027

Status: AWARDED

 

The Challenge

Invasive species threaten the balance of the local coastal ecosystem due to predation and competition. They also incur economic costs across a wide range of sectors, including fisheries. As experience in other countries has demonstrated, some invasive species can be used for human consumption, which is an effective and economically viable population control strategy. This project aims to use this strategy to map and mitigate the expansion of five prioritised invasive species of ecological concern in the Adriatic Sea, by popularising their consumption, in return, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in Hvar’s coastal waters.

 

The Solution

The project proposes to map, catalogue, and do genotype sequencing of targeted invasive species and to provide a publicly accessible website to work with the communities to build awareness of and popularise the gastronomic use of invasive species present in the coastal areas around Hvar. This collaborative provides research opportunities for local students, workshops for community members and international researchers, and community engagement at large. It also provides a basis for further development of research and mapping efforts, public engagement activities to incentivise consumption and promotion of invasive species gastronomy and scaling up to expand this approach to neighbouring islands.

 

Project Deliverables

• Species Data Collection Mapping
• Specimen Cataloging and Genotyping/Phylogeny
• Workshops and Menu Series
• Generating a publicly-accessible free website
• Public Information and Outreach Efforts

 

Insight into the Organisation

Pharos International Institute for Science, Arts, and Culture, based in Stari Grad, is a young organization collaborating with Hvar’s local communities to develop innovative, science-based environmental programs. Under the leadership of Dr. Goran Bozinovic, head of Environmental Studies and founder of the Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute (San Diego), Pharos launched a STEM-focused pilot program in 2024 engaging Hvar high school students in hands-on marine research. Follow-up work in 2025 expanded to sea quality monitoring and genetic studies of locally significant marine species. With new laboratory facilities at the Bonj Laboratory, the Institute is now preparing a multi-faceted research and education program to advance environmental knowledge and foster local youth participation in STEM fields.