Nature

Off the coast of Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence, the Gulf of Lion Marine Park covers 4,019 km² of marine space behind about 100 kilometers of coastline. Created this year, the park was conceived as a refuge for the Mediterranean biodiversity.

By Jean-Dominique Dalloz - Photos The Gulf of Lion Marine Reserve - November 20, 2011

Red coral, the great white dolphin and the dusky grouper at last can breathe, as they now have a vast natural reserve of over 4,000 km² in the Mediterranean Sea to prosper in peace. During the Grenelle of the Sea environmental forum, France set itself the objective of creating ten new natural sea parks. After those for the Iroise and Mayotte Seas were established, this protected natural environment was created to protect almost 1,200 animal species and 500 vegetable ones from feckless human activity.. By the admission of the public entities that worked for its

creation, the Gulf of Lion Marine Reserve is not meant to be a sanctuary. Conceived as an open and living place, it should safeguard the species that coexist there, with the aim to preserve them, while professional maritime activities (fishing in particular) as well as leisure activities (sailing, diving…) are either prohibited or strictly monitored. If the local tourist industry congratulates itself on this boost to the region, the fishermen are less ecstatic about the park’s virtues. Beyond the constraints on their activity (bans, new regulations), they defend a vision of environmental protection that also

integrates the fight against pollution, caused according to them by farming and wastewater treatment plants on the coast.

In any case, scientists are happy about the creation of a defined area for coordinated studies concerning all marine professionals. Hopefully, studies will be maintained for the long term in order to better understand the effects on these species of certain factors, such as global warming. As for the local government, the concert of praise strikes no false notes. There’s talk of an approach supported by all the towns along the 100 kilometers of coastline affected by the park. The management committee, which reunites councilors, associations and maritime professionals, claims to be an ocean parliament, where direct democracy allows everyone to express their opinion about the future of this priceless heritage. The fish may wholeheartedly clap their fins.

Discover

The Gulf of Lion Marine Reserve
Passage du Vieux Port
66660 Port-Vendres
04.68.68.40.20
www.parc-marin-golfe-lion.fr

© Agence des aires marines protégées/droits réservés - No reproduction without author's authorization.

Bothus © B.Daniel

© E.Rivas

© E.Rivas

© E.Rivas