Off the coast of Nice, the State has just approved the creation of a new marine protected area with a strong protection status. Located in the Baie des Anges, this area marks an important step in the protection of Mediterranean marine ecosystems, while establishing a strict framework for marine uses in one of the most frequented sectors of the French coast.
A state decision enshrined in a national strategy
By co-signing an inter-prefectural decree, the prefect of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the maritime prefect of the Mediterranean and the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes have officially created two zones for the protection of natural marine habitats off the coast of Nice. This new marine protected area benefits from the status of a strong protection zone, the most demanding level of the French system. Led by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and the City of Nice, and coordinated by the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea, the project is fully in line with the national strategy for marine protected areas. The objective is clear: to reach 30% of marine waters protected by 2030, 10% of which will be under strong protection. The issue is above all ecological. The decree aims to sustainably preserve emblematic and fragile habitats of the Mediterranean such as Posidonia and cymodoceae meadows, coralligenous and infralittoral rocks, while strictly regulating human activities likely to degrade them.
Two distinct zones, a strengthened regulatory framework
The press release of the prefect defines this new marine protected area in 2 zones: The first zone is located to the right of the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. It is a 21-hectare area that extends for 300 metres from the seashore, between two landmarks: a groyne located to the west of the Mediterranean University Centre () and the Hotel Negresco. In this zone, the following activities are prohibited except for exemptions:
– Recreational fishing in all its forms, including shore and underwater fishing;
– Professional fishing in all its forms, including spearfishing;
– Scuba diving;
– Anchoring and stopping of registered ships and gear;
– The navigation of ships and their motorized tenders as well as that of registered equipment.
The second zone is located to the east of the city of Nice, on the outskirts of the Pointe des Sans-Culottes, along the Cap de Nice. It is an area of 27.7 hectares that extends over 300 metres from the seashore, between the Maeterlinck platform and the east of the Pointe du Gaton. In this zone, the following activities are prohibited except for exemptions:
– Recreational fishing in all its forms, including shore and underwater fishing;
– Professional fishing in all its forms, including spearfishing;
– The anchoring of registered ships and equipment.
Des dérogations encadrées pour les usages traditionnels
Si le cadre réglementaire est strict, il n’exclut pas totalement certaines activités historiques. Les pêcheurs professionnels des prud’homies de Nice et de Villefranche-sur-Mer continueront d’exercer leur activité traditionnelle de pêche au Cap de Nice grâce à des dérogations annuelles individuelles accordées par les services de l’État. En revanche, la pêche professionnelle sera totalement interdite du 1er août au 30 novembre dans l’ensemble de cette aire marine protégée.
Pour la plongée sous-marine, l’arrêté prévoit des aménagements spécifiques. Les clubs pourront installer des bouées d’amarrage afin d’éviter tout mouillage à l’ancre, strictement interdit. Le positionnement dynamique des navires est autorisé dans le périmètre protégé, une solution pensée pour concilier sécurité des plongeurs et protection des fonds marins.
A largely favourable public consultation
In accordance with the Environmental Code, the draft order was the subject of a public consultation by electronic means. The contributions mainly supported the creation of this new marine protected area, while proposing adjustments to certain modalities. At the end of this consultation, several provisions of the decree have evolved in order to integrate the remarks made, without calling into question the general balance of the project.
In a message published on the social network X, Christian Estrosi welcomed this decision, stressing the symbolic and political significance of this creation: « Nice becomes the first city in the Mediterranean to have a marine protected area along an urbanized coastline. A strong recognition of our vision and ambition to make Nice one of the most exemplary cities in Europe in terms of coastal protection and ecological transition. Here, we take concrete action to preserve the Mediterranean, the jewel of our identity and our future. I would like to thank the services of the Metropolis, which, alongside Aurore Asso and all the scientific and maritime stakeholders, have fully mobilised to obtain this recognition by the State. The challenge now is to bring this marine protected area to life, to make it grow, understand and respect. »
With this marine protected area, Nice is taking a symbolic and operational step in the protection of the Mediterranean. The challenge for the next few years will now be to ensure that the system is taken over by sea users and to guarantee, on the ground, the real effectiveness of this enhanced protection.
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source : figaronautisme
