The documentary that reveals the importance of marine and coastal areas protected by the Natura 2000 Network, premiering on Sunday 1 February on YouTube. Produced by Triton Research and co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme and the National Parks of the Tuscan Archipelago, Cinque Terre and Asinara.

The LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project presents Unseen Guardians: Routes for Biodiversity, the documentary produced by Triton Research that tells the story of the marine and coastal sites of the Natura 2000 Network in the Mediterranean.

The film takes viewers on a journey into the heart of the Mediterranean, discovering areas of extraordinary ecological and landscape value, often perfectly integrated into our everyday lives. Places where the coexistence of human activities, species and habitats makes these territories both precious and difficult to recognise. These very spaces — the Natura 2000 sites — are the true invisible guardians of biodiversity: present, vital, yet often not perceived as such.

On board sailing boats confiscated from organised crime and provided by the Italian Naval League (LNI – Lega Navale Italiana), Triton organised a sailing campaign in spring 2023, symbolising a slow and respectful approach to exploring the sea. The Italian sailing journey was carried out in collaboration with Federparchi and LIPU, who combined it with onshore events: guided visits and participatory meetings involving more than 600 people, including tourists and families.

The documentary travels through some of the most emblematic Natura 2000 sites in Italy — Torre Guaceto, Calafuria, Isola del Giglio and the Aeolian Islands — and in Spain, thanks to the sailing campaign organised by Fundación Biodiversidad in spring 2025 between Cabo de Gata, the Balearic Islands and the Costa Brava, creating a mosaic of environments that safeguard biodiversity, culture and identity.

The narrative follows the many actions carried out by the project partners and unfolds within an integrated communication strategy combining online and offline activities, both in person and remotely. This path has made it possible to build relationships and organise initiatives involving researchers, institutions, local authorities, maritime professionals, citizens and volunteers, with the aim of increasing knowledge, awareness and recognition of the value and beauty of the marine and coastal sites of the Natura 2000 Network.

The documentary was directed by Mattia Nocciola, through a team effort involving Francesco Tomasinelli, LIFE Conceptu Maris Communication Manager for Triton Research and creator of the storyboard, and Maria Stella Scordo, Communication Manager of LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 for Triton Research, author of the texts and coordinator of the contributions from partners and volunteers who actively took part in the editorial project.

The testimonies collected along the journey give voice to diverse and complementary perspectives through interviews with Maria Villani (Head of Projects and Institutional Relations, Federparchi-Europarc Italia), Diego Mattioli (Project Manager of the LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project for Triton Research), Giorgia Gaibani (Head of the Natura 2000 Network – LIPU), Víctor Gutiérrez (Coordinator, Fundación Biodiversidad), Stefano Picchi (Scientific Director of Triton Research, 2021–2024), Stefano Feri (President of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, 2017–2025), Raffaele Grandi (Communication Manager LIFE A-MAR, 2021–2024, Triton Research), Eugenio Ruocco (Vice-President of Giornate della Vela) and Dr. Monica Cellini (Modena Polyclinic).

With a duration of 24 minutes and available in Italian, English and Spanish, Invisible Guardians: Routes for Biodiversity shows how Natura 2000 sites are not spaces to be preserved in a static way, but living and dynamic networks capable of generating awareness, value and future. Biodiversity thus emerges not as something distant or abstract, but as a constant presence, revealed to those who take the time to observe.

The documentary will be presented through three online Première on YouTube, one for each language, starting on 1 February 2026 at 8:00 PM CET for the English version. After the premieres, the film will be available on the official LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project website as an outreach tool and awareness-raising campaign dedicated to the knowledge of the marine and coastal sites of the Natura 2000 Network, their value and their beauty.