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A new and significant signal of the profound changes that are affecting the Mediterranean comes from the waters of Capo Colonna. Yesterday, 6 September 2026, during a coastal inspection and monitoring activity conducted by members of the IBIS Environment Club, a specimen of leaf fish (Lobotes surinamensis) was captured during a dive, a species of particular interest for the study of the presence and spread of non-indigenous organisms in the Mediterranean. The discovery occurred as part of the activities envisaged by the agreement between the IBIS Environment Club and the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area, as well as the association’s participation in the AlienFish scientific project, dedicated to the monitoring of alien and non-indigenous marine species.
The captured specimen was immediately preserved and will be sent to the University of Catania, where it will be subjected to scientific in-depth analysis and genetic DNA analysis, thus contributing to the collection of new data on the distribution and origin of the species in the Mediterranean. Lobotes surinamensis, belonging to the Lobotidae family, is a species with an immediately recognizable appearance. In fact, it has a tall and laterally compressed body and dorsal, anal and caudal fins characterized by large rounded lobes, a conformation that gives it the typical appearance of a large floating leaf. Young specimens, in particular, exploit this extraordinary camouflage, letting themselves be carried by the currents and blending in with leaves and other floating materials. The species can reach considerable dimensions, exceeding one meter in length. The Leaffish is widespread mainly in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans. Its presence in the Mediterranean is considered of particular interest and is carefully monitored in the study of non-indigenous species and changes in the distribution of marine fauna. Observations of this species in the Mediterranean have long been sporadic, but in recent years reports have highlighted a growing presence in the central basin and in Italian waters, making each new discovery particularly significant from a scientific point of view.
«This discovery demonstrates once again how important it is to maintain constant observation of our coasts and seabeds – declares Girolamo Parretta, president of the IBIS Environment Club –. The Mediterranean is going through profound changes and the appearance, increase or movement of species from other seas represent phenomena that we must document with scientific attention”. “The involvement of citizens, fishermen, divers and all the people who frequent the sea is today a fundamental tool for understanding what is happening. Our Club will continue to make its experience and network of volunteers available to concretely contribute to scientific research. Every observation can be important: a photograph, a video, the precise indication of the place and date of a sighting can provide precious data to reconstruct the distribution of species and understand their evolution in the Mediterranean”. The AlienFish project represents an important monitoring tool for non-indigenous and unusual marine species in Italian waters, enhancing the contribution of citizen science and the direct involvement of fishermen, divers, freedivers and ordinary citizens in the collection of scientifically useful data.
The IBIS Environment Club would like to extend particular thanks to Professor Francesco Tiralongo of the University of Catania, for his scientific direction and constant support for monitoring and research activities on alien and non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean. A heartfelt thanks is also addressed to Dr. Piero Cappa of the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area, for his immense availability and for the collaboration demonstrated in the development of monitoring, research and knowledge activities of the marine biodiversity of the Crotone area. The IBIS Club therefore makes an appeal to professional and sports fishermen, divers, free divers, boaters and citizens: anyone who observes or captures specimens attributable to the Leaf fish (Lobotes surinamensis), or other unusual and potentially non-indigenous species, is invited to document the sighting through photographs or videos and to report it to the IBIS Club, indicating, when possible, location, date, depth and conditions of the observation.
«Knowing our sea means first of all observing it – concludes Parretta -. Every report can be transformed into scientific data and every piece of data can help us better understand the changes that are affecting one of the most precious and delicate ecosystems on the planet”. “For this reason we will continue to work together with the institutions, the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area, the University of Catania and our scientific partners, so that the Crotone coast can increasingly become an important open-air laboratory for the study, monitoring and protection of marine biodiversity”.