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communities. Around the Egadi Islands a species at increasing risk, the Patella
there are also several rocky sites which
are spectacular from both an aesthetic ferruginea, and numerous colonies of the
and naturalistic point of view as they are
dominated by gorgonians, sponges with a famous bivalve Pinna nobilis. Among the
highly structured marine population.
A very high biodiversity is generated by crustaceans, it is important to mention
the habitat described above, resulting
in a marine life that includes many the presence of Palinurus elephas,
protected and endangered species.
After numerous reports and sightings, Scyllarides latus and Scyllarus arctus.
ISPRA and the MPA of Egadi Islands
have recently documented the presence Also the fish fauna is rich and varied.
of at least one specimen of monk seal
(Monachus monachus) during the winter Many species reported an increase in the
season, a species classified as critically
endangered by the IUCN and included average size and number of individuals:
in several international conventions and
directives. stone bass (Epinephelus marginatus and
Numerous sightings have occurred as
well as recovery of specimens of sea Polyprion americanus); corvina (Sciaena
turtle Caretta caretta, which do not
nest in the Islands, but is an assiduous umbra); umbrine (Umbrina cirrhosa);
frequenter of the MPA’s waters.
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates) sea breams (Dentex dentex; Diplodus
and spinner dolphins (Stenella
coeruleoalba) are present among the cervinus; Seriola dumerili); swordfish
marine mammals even if they have to
be accurately determined. Sightings of (Xiphias gladius); bluefin tuna (Thunnus
sperm whales (Physeter microcephalus)
are not rare. The porbeagle sharks thynnus thynnus). The marine avifauna is
(Lamna nasus and Prionace glauca) are
widespread. Two charismatic species another attraction, especially with the
are more rarely encountered, the white
shark (Carcharodon carcharias) that presence of a colony of the rare storm
goes in the Channel of Sicily during
reproduction, and the elephant shark petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus.
(Cetorhinus maximus). Among corals,
real “forests” of gorgonian Paramuricea The fauna, flora and habitats described
clavata and, in other sites, specimens
of Corallium rubrum, Gerardia savaglia above have an exceptional value for
and Centrostephanus longispinus are
found. Among the shellfish it is worth environmental conservation, and
mentioning the widespread presence of
represent a major tourist attraction
for all sea-sports fans. The MPA has 76
diving sites. They are both superficial
(with exceptional values), and deep
(cave or underwater archaeological
sites as a famous battle at sea between
the Romans and Carthaginians took
place in the area located north-west of
Levanzo). They can be visited only with
guides and authorized divers, likewise,
snorkelling and sea-watching are
practised under supervision.
The institutional mission of the MPA is
the protection and enhancement of the
marine environment, environmental
education, awareness and information
of users, research and monitoring,
integrated management of the coastal
zone, and the promotion of sustainable
development, with particular
reference to the eco-compatibility of
tourism. It is divided into four areas
6 EAI Energia, Ambiente e Innovazione 4/2015
