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In this first section of the analytical structure for WP6 governance analysis in the SoS, we outline the
context of the Egadi MPA where semi-structured interviews to stakeholders will be conducted.

1.1 About the existing initiative you are evaluating, which can be an integrated marine spatial
plan or part of the plan, or an initiative with spatial elements if there is no integrated marine
spatial plan in place

The governance analysis of the existing spatial initiatives in this sub case study is updated at
September 2012

• Location and geographical boundary of Egadi MPA
The Egadi Marine Protected Area (MPA) (Geographical coordinates: 37.95 / 12.21666) is an
archipelago of three islands (Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo), and two rocky outcroppings
(Formica and Maraone) located west of the city of Trapani at the western-most point of Sicily (Figure
2). The nearest distance from the Sicilian shore is ca. 5 km while the length from the inner to outer
edge of the MPA is about 35 km. It is the largest MPA established in Italy to date and one of the
largest in the Mediterranean.
Favignana and Levanzo are separated by a channel approximately 50 m deep, whereas the depth range
between Levanzo and Marettimo is 100 - 300 m.

The MPA lies in what is part of the southern segment of the Sicilian-Maghrebian chain. The wide
continental shelf cut by a NNW-SSE depression between Marettimo and Favignana Islands is incised
by a canyon that is draining both to the NW and to the South, with a remnant divide at about 200 m
depth. The shelf-edge is located at depth ranging from 95 to 130 m.
The shelf-break is generally sharp in the western part of the archipelago, while to the south of
Marettimo Island the transition from shelf to slope is more gradual. North-east of Marettimo some
canyons discharge sediments along the slope into the deeper water.
In the Eastern part of the archipelago the shelf surrounding Favignana end Levanzo Islands is wide
and flat and the shelf break, in the south, is formed from prograding sediments. Buried surfaces of
abrasion and relict deposits and features related to glacial Quaternary sea level changes occur on shelf.
Large sedimentary structure south-east of Marettimo island, such as sand-weaves and sand patches,
ranging mainly in the NW-SE direction, indicate the presence of strong current.

Benthic assemblages at the Egadi Archipelago are strictly correlated to the nature of substrate,
hydrodynamic regime and water transparency. The combination of these factors determines a high
heterogeneity and fragmentation of both photophilic and sciaphilic benthic assemblages. Only
infralittoral benthic assemblages are found at Favignana and Levanzo while at Marettimo circalittoral
assemblages are also present.
The main impact is due to human activities, in particular the tourism industry has the potential of
detrimental effects on benthic communities. Marettimo is undoubtedly the best preserved of the three
islands.
Bioconstructions, such as facies with Astroides calycularis, vermetid reef (Dendropoma petraeum),
Lithophyllum lichenoides encorbellement and Posidonia oceanica meadows, sciaphilic assemblages
and semi submerged caves are amongst the most representative naturalistic features of the area.
Notably, the semi submerged cave system of Marettimo hosted a monk seal (Monachus monachus)
population until the 1980 when the last seal was killed by a fisherman. Very recently the monk seal
has been spotted again in Marettimo.

Egadi MPA covers 53.992 hectares and 73,9 km of coastline. The protected area is partitioned into
four zones: (A) integral zone with a surface of 10,67 ha and a coastline length of 8,9 km; (B) buffer
zone 2.865 ha large and 18,6 km length; (C) peripheral I zone extends for 21.962 ha and for 46.4 km
of coastline; (D) peripheral II zone with an extension of 28.098 ha. The two areas designated as zone
A include a small square shaped area surrounds the island of Maraone and a section of the western
coast of Marettimo situated directly on the opposite side of the island from the fishing village. Four
areas of zone B are designated while zone C and zone D fill in between the islands (Figure 2).

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