Marine Protected Area

The Ustica Marine Reserve, Italy’s first marine protected area (along with Miramare in Trieste), was established in 1986 at the initiative of Ustica’s fishermen, who were eager to preserve their sea and its riches. This initiative aimed to protect the extraordinary biodiversity, preserve marine resources, and regulate fishing activities. In 2012, the marine protected area returned to the joint management of the Ministry of Environment and the Municipality of Ustica.
THE MAIN FEATURE of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) is its extension of 15,951 hectares, encompassing approximately 15 km of coastline. It is divided into three protection zones: Zone A, approximately 60 hectares, is a full reserve (no-take zone); Zone B, approximately 8,000 hectares, is a general reserve; and Zone C, also approximately 8,000 hectares, is a partial reserve. Furthermore, the Ustica MPA is classified as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) due to its environmental value and for the conservation of habitats and marine species of community interest, in accordance with the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC of May 2, 1992.
THE MAIN MISSION of the MPA is to preserve the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and the various forms of life they host, including the bivalve Pinna nobilis. Additionally, it is committed to protecting a diverse fish fauna, which includes numerous protected species such as the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and various cetaceans, particularly bottlenose and striped dolphins. The MPA is also dedicated to the protection of the pink shrimp, Plesionika narval, recognized as a species of environmental interest and an essential resource for local fishing.