Page 54 - Fishery_Regimes_2005

EMPAFISH Booklet nº 2 Fishery regimes in Atlanto-Mediterranean European MPAs

MPA: Ustica

Location: 38º42’N,13º43’E
Country: Italy
Coastal/Island: Island
Total size: 15,951 ha
Integral size: 60 ha
Year of establishment: 1986 (effective establishment: 1991)
Depth range: 0 – ~1,000 m
Protection objectives: Environmental protection
Type of MPA: No take/partial
Habitats: Posidonia oceanica beds, rocky reefs,
sandy bottoms, marine caves
Socio-economic activities: Tourism, diving, small scale fishery

Activities Integral Reserve General Reserve Partial Reserve
(zone A) (zone B) (zone C)
Forbidden Fishing, scuba Spear fishing Spear fishing
diving, boating,
swimming,
spearfishing,
angling,
anchoring
Restricted Scientific survey Scientific survey, Scientific survey,
fishing fishing
Allowed Swimming, scuba Swimming, scuba
diving, diving
boating/anchoring, boating/anchoring,
angling angling

Description of the fisheries in and around the MPA:
The main aims of the “Ustica Island” MPA are environmental
protection, fisheries enhancement, environmental education and
research activity.
Fishing is a small scale activity mainly carried out using traps, gill nets
and long-lines. All fishing activities are forbidden within the Integral
Reserve (zone A). Similar restrictions are enforced within the General
Reserve (zone B) and the Partial Reserve (zone C). Gill nets, traps and
long-lines are allowed under the regulation of the MPA Management
Authority, but are restricted to 7 local vessels. Spearfishing and
trawling are banned within the MPA boundaries (three miles from the
island coasts). Sea urchin harvesting is permitted only in Zone C by
skin divers and angling is not regulated in either Zone B or Zone C.

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