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The MPA combats illegal trawling systems by setting up anti-trawling bollards, which reduced
infringements by over 80% in five years. The “Guardians of the Sea” initiative has involved 93 fishermen
in the protection of the archipelago based on a code of conduct, the reporting of abuses and research.
In addition, educational activities have been introduced
and financed by the EU LIFE+ programme, together
with a monk seal observatory and monitoring with the
Joint Research Center (JRC) of Ispra. Finally, the MPA
created a label for environmental certification of tourist
services used by 70 operators and placed 14 mooring
buoys for yachting.
In term of funding, the MPA is supported by the
municipality, the state, LIFE+, the Structural Funds,
Anti-trawling bollards to reduce illegal trawling,
realized by © Tecnoreef, entrance fees, merchandising, sponsorship, donations
Egadi Islands marine protected area (MPA), Italy
and a fundraising programme. The objective of the MPA
is to increase the number of visitors in April, May, June and October. 45 people work for the MPA in the
summer. The MPA has become widely known thanks to its practical action in preventing illegal fishing.
Website for the project: http://www.ampisoleegadi.it/

4. Tourism development

4.1 Best practice demonstrated during on-site visits

The EESC came across the redevelopment of the old tuna processing factory on Favignana (museums
focusing on fishing and the Punic Wars), hiking and exploration trails on Île d’Yeu, recreational fishing
on Île d’Yeu, ecotourism on Kythnos, preservation of the local architecture on all the islands, cultural
and heritage centre on Saaremaa, and geoparks in Estonia.

4.2 Redevelopment of the old processing factory

The Tonnara of Favignana was a tuna processing plant, with
an adjoining facility for storage, boiling and canning located
in Favignana. With its 40 000 square meters, of which 3/4 are
covered, it is one of the largest tuna processing plants ever
built in the Mediterranean.
All the surface of the former tuna processing factory has
potential for many more functions. Apart from the building,
the most remarkable features of the project - run since
2015 by the municipality and co-financed by the Region of
Sicily - are the exhibition on the tuna processing plant, the “Ex Stabilimento Florio delle tonnare di Favignana e
part of the building documenting the ancient practice of Formica” former tuna fishery, Egadi Islands, Italy
“mattanza”, an old tuna fishing method which ended in 2005; and the “antiquarium of Favignana”.
The antiquarium combines displays of archaeological remains, in particular of the Battle of the Egadi
during the Punic Wars, with the latest interactive technologies to capture the attention of visitors. It
is designed as a museum inside, with multimedia rooms, video accounts , and also shows historical
films provided by the Istituto Luce.
The municipality aims to attract 57 000 visitors here from June to November. During the 2016 summer
season, the museum will remain open until 11 p.m. This project will raise the profile of the Egadi Islands
and attract tourists. This is a very interesting project for the protection of cultural and architectural
heritage.
More information on the Florio di Favignana facility: http://www.comune.favignana.tp.gov.it/po/mostra_
news.php?id=623&area=H

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