Easy rules to respect the fauna and the flora in the “Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo” Marine Protected Area

The Tavolara Archipelago Consortium, which brings together the commercial and tourist businesses based in the area protected by the MPA, shares its founding values, and undertakes to promote them through all the activities carried out by the Consortium members, by disseminating the best practices and rules necessary to preserve the nature, both fauna and flora, of the land that hosts us.

The MPA covers an area of about 15,000 ha. The Marine Protected Area “Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo” has been divided into zones with specific rules of behaviour aimed at protecting the flora and fauna that the Park aims to protect. A

MPA photos: THE BLUE LUCERT

The blue lizard (Podarcis tiliguerta ranzii) can be found on the islet of Molarotto, with a different colouration from that of the nominal subspecies.

A glance at the map makes it clear that there are many blue zones, in which it is possible to explore the park by sailing on a boat, mooring, and diving independently. In the yellow zones there are more restrictions, while in the red zones protection reaches its highest level.

ZONE C – PARTIAL RESERVE – blue

PERMITTED::

• the navigation of crafts and boats;
• mooring, as regulated by the Managing Body of the Marine Protected Area;
• scuba diving, compatible with the protection of the seabed;
• small-scale fishing, using selective gear that does not damage the seabed, to professional fishermen from the municipalities whose coasts are included in the Marine Protected Area;
• lsport fishing, if practised with the following systems and limitations
  a) lines and standing rods, deadlines, cephalopod lines: no more than one per person and with a maximum of 3 hooks;
  b) trolling lines: no more than one per person and with a maximum of six hooks;
  c) trolling: no more than two per vessel;

ZONE B – GENERAL RESERVE – yellow

PERMITTED::

• the navigation of boats and crafts at low speed (no more than 10 knots);
• visits, also underwater, regulated by the Managing Body of the Marine Protected Area;
• bathing;
• mooring at the appropriate structures provided by the Managing Authority of the area;
• small fishing, with selective tools that do not damage the seabed, to professional fishermen of the municipalities whose coasts are included in the Marine Protected Area, with a daily load regulated by the Managing Authority;

FORBIDDEN:/b>:

• professional fishing with trawl nets and purse seines;
• sport fishing by any means;

ZONE A – INTEGRAL RESERVE – red

PERMITTED::

• the access to the staff of the AMP management, for service activities, and to the scientific staff, for carrying out duly authorized research;
• the carrying out of underwater guided tours, regulated by the Managing Authority, in limited areas according to pre-established routes, taking into account, in any case, the requirements of high environmental protection;

FORBIDDEN::

• bathing;
• professional and sport fishing;
• the transit of boats and crafts except for those of the Marine Protected Area;

What is a MPA?

Marine protected areas span a range of habitats, including the open ocean, coastal areas, intertidal zones, estuaries, and the Great Lakes. Marine protected areas are defined areas where human activities are managed to protect important natural or cultural resources.