Page 48 - Livre_MOW_EN

46 / MONACO’S ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

There are over 6,000 large yachts (over 24 metres) worldwide, of which 4,000 measure more than
30 metres. Half of this fleet sails in the Western Mediterranean, mainly in the RAMOGE zone.

How can boaters’ interests be reconciled with Right in the middle of the RAMOGE zone, Monaco
European or national obligations to protect ha- is very popular for superyachts (often over 80 m).
bitats and species against threats to ecological It began by identifying anchorage sites and
health in this biodiversity hotspot? To address conservation areas and is now studying how to
this question, the representatives of the different implant substitute mooring facilities while taking
mooring zones gathered to present measures different uses into account.
they are taking to minimize the impact of ancho-
rage on the environment, and to exchange with Alongside these tools, it is necessary to inform
their counterparts. boaters about regulated anchorage areas while
establishing surveillance patrols to enforce regu-
Here are a few examples: lations. Finally, all participants agreed on the need
In France’s Pampelonne Bay (Gulf of Saint-Tropez), for awareness campaigns targeting recreational
the high density and diversity of uses within a li- boaters to encourage them to adopt responsible
mited territory called for maritime spatial planning behaviour towards the marine environment. A
to balance environmental stakes with socio-eco- number of communication tools exist to educate
nomic imperatives. Safe and ecological moorings boaters by presenting the environmental issues,
are currently being installed in cooperation with boating’s impacts and the solutions and best
authorities and boaters. practices to be applied. Step by step, thanks
to preventive action, a true cultural revolution of
In Italy’s Liguria region, in the Cinque Terre MPA, environmental conservation is unfolding.
navigation and anchorage are regulated. Where
the environment requires full protection, only di-
ving clubs are allowed to anchor. Other boaters
may use alternative moorings on floating berths
outside the buffer zone, with free shuttles to allow
passengers to disembark. There are also waste
disposal buoys. Alongside these facilities, dissua-
sive tools such as blocks with hooks protect the
MPA from illegal fishing. Over time, all of these
measures should produce visible benefits to eco-
systems.

Wild and repeated anchorage damage the habitats.