DIVING COMMUNITY: Marine Protected Area's
The importance of Marine Protected Area´;s
Today we are more and more aware of the climate problems that are prevalent and we increasingly have an extreme need for protection and respect for our planet and in particular for the oceans.
There are many negative factors affecting and transforming the oceans: Climate change‚ various types of pollution‚ acidification and oxygen starvation‚ overfishing‚ illegal fishing‚ bycatch of non-commercial species and the resulting loss of biodiversity.
Humanity´;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;s strong impact on the massive exploitation of fish stocks has irreversible consequences for the life of the ecosystems in our seas and oceans. In addition‚ we should not forget that the oceans also act as thermoregulators and directly affect the climate of our planet. An imbalance of this regulatory power immediately causes exceptional and catastrophic events such as flooding of large areas.
Hence the need to pay attention to and protect the oceans from climate change‚ by fighting man´;s greed for exploitation. This necessity to protect our ocean planet has increasingly prompted the scientific community‚ and subsequently politics‚ to establish conservation areas. In these protected nature reserves‚ the impact of humanity is kept to a minimum.
A great opportunity and resource to be exploited for the protection of our seas is the Marine Protected Area (MPA).
What is a marine protected area?
A marine protected area is a part of the sea that encompasses the entire water column and the adjacent coastal areas. In these protected marine areas‚ human activities such as fishing‚ bathing‚ pleasure boating are regulated‚ limited and in some areas even completely prohibited.
The marine protected areas are divided into zones. There are usually three zones‚ each with different degrees of protection and control.
Zone A integral reserve‚ where all activities that could cause damage or disturbance to the marine environment are prohibited. Zone A is the core of the nature reserve. Usually this zone is smaller in size and only accessible for research activities.
Zone B general reserve‚ where a limited range of activities and sustainable use with a low impact on the marine environment are allowed. Zones B of a marine protected area are usually also of limited size.
Zone C partial reserve‚ which represents the buffer zone between the areas of greatest naturalistic value and the rest of the sea. Activities such as fishing are permitted in this area‚ provided they are sustainable and have a modest impact on the environment. Most of the marine protected area generally falls in zone C.
The fundamental purpose of establishing a marine protected area is to protect flora‚ fauna and the marine ecosystems. In addition‚ a Marine Protected Area also protects local historical and cultural features‚ such as underwater archaeological sites. Marine protected areas are an instrument for the management and restoration of marine ecosystems‚ for research and for the local economy‚ exploiting these nature reserves in an ecologically responsible manner.
The importance of a marine protected area is recognized today at a scientific and political level‚ as well as at an economic and social level. The MPA s represent a real resource for the socio-economic and cultural development of an area‚ without harming the marine heritage; instead the marine area is protected. Some examples of wise and careful management of marine protected areas have shown that there has been a repopulation of many species and even a return of species that had disappeared from those areas. The increase in biodiversity is significant and visible within a few years of its emergence. The MPAs provide different species with a protected environment where they can live‚ grow and‚ above all‚ reproduce multiple times without being caught. The increase in biomass and biodiversity benefits the entire environment and results in the proliferation of flora and fauna that maintains ecosystems that would otherwise have been lost.
It is clear that all this leads to a reversal of the depopulation trend due to the exploitation of those areas where overfishing and the high anthropic impact negatively affect the maintenance of marine ecosystems. A marine protected area thus becomes an essential resource for the protection of the seas and oceans. It is vital for these marine protected areas to proliferate‚ be promoted and effectively managed and supported.
We from Evasioni Blu Diving are convinced that establishing marine protected areas and carefully managing them can bring multiple benefits‚ both for the seas and oceans‚ as well as for local residents and the economy. The hope is that all directly involved will realize this importance; That they do not see these marine protected areas as an obstacle to economic development‚ but as an opportunity!
We feel privileged to operate as a dive center in Ustica. Ustica is Italy´;s oldest marine protected area. This MPA is the proof and the divers who have dived in Ustica are the direct witnesses to the many benefits that a marine protected area has in terms of biodiversity; As much as 60% of all species found in the Mediterranean Sea can be found in the Marine Protected Area of Ustica.
The Usticesi are well aware that Ustica´;s marine protected area of an unestimated value. They therefore monitor and protect their MPA well and have worked hard to develop sustainable eco-responsible tourism. As a result‚ Ustica has been known for years as the diving capital of the Mediterranean Sea.
