Zoning of the Marine Area and meaning of the different levels of protection
The Marine Protected Areas "... consist of marine environments characterized by the water, the sea bottom and stretches of overlooking coastline having a marked natural, geomorphological, physical and biochemical interest, especially with regard to the marine flora and fauna of the coasts and for the importance of scientific, ecological, cultural, educational and economic values".
The territory of a Marine Protected Area has divided into areas with different levels of protection called ZONE A, ZONE B, ZONE C. The intent is to ensure both the full protection of nature (ZONE A) and the correct management of land for tourist use (ZONE B) and for the maintenance and development of local economic activities (ZONE C), combining preservation of environmental values with the sustainable use of the marine environment.
ZONE A
Zone of reserve, in which human activity has been placed under restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment. Zone A is the true heart of the reserve. In this area, detected in small areas, are allowed only scientific research activities, service activities and diving guided tours.
Banned:
- The access, navigation and anchoring of ships of any kind except those ones authorized by the Authority;
- Bathing;
- Professional and sport fishing;
- Scuba diving, individual or in group, unauthorized from managing authority;
- Activities of teaching diving;
- Apnea underwater fishing.
Allowed:
- Diving Guided tours, with or without scuba, carried out by the diving centers authorized by the managing authority;
- The scientific research activities authorized by the managing authority.
ZONE B
Zone of general reserve where are allowed, with the approval of the managing authority, a series of activities that, while providing a sustainable use and enjoyment of the environment, affect with the least possible impact. Even the Zones B are usually not very large.
Banned:
- The use of personal watercraft and jet skis or similar;
- The practice of water-skiing and similar water sports;
- Anchoring;
- Activities of professional fishing from 01/06 to 30/09 in the Bay of Jeranto (Article 18 clause 5 of the disciplinary rules);
- Apnea underwater fishing;
- Sport fishing;
- The access and navigation of boats and ships of any kind except those ones authorized by the Authority.
Allowed:
- The scientific research activities authorized by the managing authority;
- Scuba diving with or without scuba, carried out individually or in groups, authorized by the managing authority;
- Diving Guided tours, with or without scuba, carried out by the diving centers authorized by the managing authority;
- The teaching activities carried out by diving centers authorized by the managing authority;
- The sailing, rowing, pedaling or by electric propulsion navigation;
- Motor navigation of vessels, at a speed less than 5 knots, within the distance of 300 meters from the coast, and at a speed less than 10 knots, over the distance of 300 meters from the coast, with the exception of the stretch of sea off the coast between Punta Campanella, Jeranto Bay, Punta Montalto and location Mortelle;
- Mooring of vessels, with the approval of the managing authority, the sites identified and appropriately equipped by the same authority;
- The motor navigation, with the approval of the managing authority, to transport passengers and naval units engaged in guided tours at a speed less than 2 knots, within the distance of 300 meters from the coast, and at a speed less than 10 knots, over the distance of 300 meters from the coast;
- The professional fishing activity, with the approval of the managing authority, for fishermen, businesses and fishing cooperatives registered in offices in the municipalities within the Marine Protected Area and in the city of Meta.
ZONE C
Zone of partial reserve, which represents the ‘buffer’ zone among the areas of greatest natural value and the areas outside the Marine Protected Area, where are allowed and regulated by the managing authority, in addition to what is already allowed in other areas, the activity of fruition of the zone and sustainable use of the sea of low environmental impact. The vast extension of a Marine Protected Area in general concerns the Zone C.
Banned:
- Apnea underwater fishing;
- The use of personal watercraft and jet skis or similar;
- The practice of water-skiing and similar water sports;
- Anchoring within the distance of 100 meters from the beach and 50 meters from the overlooking coast and in areas with depths that host Posidonia oceanica meadows or coral bottoms adequately signaled by the managing authority;
- The business of sport fishing in the sea area adjacent to Zone A of the islet of Vervece for a distance of 200 meters from the same Zone A;
- Apnea underwater fishing.
Allowed:
- The scientific research activities authorized by the managing authority;
- Scuba diving with or without scuba, carried out individually or in groups, by individuals residing in the municipalities within the area of the Marine Protected Area;
- Scuba diving with or without scuba, with the approval of the managing authority, carried out individually or in groups, by persons not resident in the municipalities within the area of the Marine Protected Area;
- Diving Guided tours, with or without scuba, carried out by the diving centers authorized by the managing authority;
- The teaching activities carried out by diving centers authorized by the managing authority;
- The sailing, rowing, pedaling or by electric propulsion navigation;
- Motor navigation of vessels in line with Annexes IV and VI to MARPOL 73 \ 78, at a speed less than 5 knots, within the distance of 300 meters from the coast, and at a speed not exceeding 10 knots, over the distance of 300 meters from the coast;
- The mooring of boats and vessels in line with Annexes IV and VI to MARPOL 73 \ 78, with the approval of the managing authority, in the sites identified and appropriately equipped by the same authority;
- Anchoring from 08.00 to 20.00 respecting the distance of 100 meters from the beach and 50 meters from the overlooking coast and areas with Posidonia oceanica meadows that are home to coral seabed properly reported by the managing authority;
- The motor navigation, with the approval of the managing authority, to transport passengers and naval units engaged in guided tours at a speed less than 5 knots, within the distance of 300 meters from the coast, and at speed less than 10 knots , over the distance of 300 meters from the coast;
- The professional fishing activity, with the approval of the managing authority, for fishermen, businesses and fishing cooperatives with registered in offices in the municipalities within the Marine Protected Area and in the city of Meta;
- The sport fishing activity prior authorization of the managing authority.