The LIFE PARC project, is being promoted by the Montemarcello-Magra Park Organisation, Liguria region, La Spezia province, Genova University DIP.TE.RIS. and Legambiente, and granted by the European Union within the Life + 2007.

Its main aim is to improve the conservation status of the Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), the Twaite shad (Alosa fallax), the Vairone (Leuciscus souffia), the Italian orange-fin roach (Rutilus rubilio), and the Barbel (Barbus plebejus), found in the Montemarcello-Magra Natural Regional Park. All these species are threatened by anthropic activities, especially by artificial obstructions and poaching, and needed to be safeguarded and protected.

To mitigate the effects, the project highlighted the following objectives:

1) Restoration of the fluvial continuity of the Magra and Vara rivers. This action is fundamental to create the ecological conditions for target species conservation and increase, especially for the Petromyzon marinus, in Italy threatened with extinction.

2) Increasing awareness among the local population and involving local fishing associations, intensifying surveillance activities on poaching and other damaging anthropic activities, such as the use of lamprey larvae as bait, and the destruction of existing lamprey spawning and nursery habitats.

3) Generating awareness among public administrations, which have both a direct and indirect impact on the river ecosystem, acquainting the appropriate local administrations about urgent conservation needs of the species targeted by this project and the management best practices undertaken.