Miramare MPA

Schéma ISEA :

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Territory :

Miramare Marine Protected Area forms part of the Gulf of Trieste, a small and shallow basin (average depth 17 m, maximum 25 m), lying to the extreme north-east of the Adriatic Sea. The Gulf of Trieste has a special meteorological regime, with very high winds and the presence of many rivers that flow in. These two factors distinguish it very markedly from the rest of the northern Adriatic sector, and have strong influence on circulation in the basin (very much determined by the winds) and water stratification (largely determined by the inflow of fresh water).

Physical characteristic :

The environment of the area is a section of shore made up of rock at the coast itself, becoming blocks, pebbles and sandy bottoms, that are increasingly muddy progressing offshore. The rocks are Carso type descending down to the sea, covered with an extremely rich Mediterranean vegetation (a mixture of blueberries, oleanders, maritime pines, olives, figs, rosemary bushes and other plants). The special geomorphological features of the coastal promontory where the MPA is located are reflected in the flora and fauna of the waters. In addition, there is an important tidal zone with an excursion of about 2 m, which is an unusual feature for the Mediterranean, where tidal excursions are not so large.

Specificity and importance :

The most representative Mediterranean habitats of the MPA are: the mediolittoral rock biocenosis, in particular the association with Lithophillum bissoides and Fucus virsoides; the biocenosis of the well sorted fine sands; the biocenosis of the surface muddy sands in calm waters, in particular the association with Nanozostera noltii; the biocenosis of the coarse sands and gravel affected by bottom currents with the Maërl facies; the association of the infralittoral algae with Cladocora caespitose, Cystoseira crinita and C. compressa, and Sargassum vulgare; and finally the biocenoses of the bathyal muds.

Threats and Pressures :

The proximity of the city of Trieste gives the area an urban marine identity. The limited dimensions of the area mean that in general it reflects the structure and activities of the city. These are primarily linked to fishing and industry. As regards fishing, this is carried out by around a dozen vessels making use of surrounding nets and lamps; occasionally (autumn), when permission is given, these vessels come in close to the promontory coastline. However, the main fishing season is the summer (for ‘blue’, or oily-fish, fishing), when the vessels are further offshore (6-10 miles). Some fishing with permanent nets and pots is carried out along the coast, but this is local and limited. The MPA plays an important educational role to face these threats and pressures.

Ecological characteristics :

The marine flora is depleted due to the recent activity of sea-urchin feeding, but there are two fairly well populated planes of vegetation - the mesolittoral plane and the upper part of the infralittoral plane. The vegetation is quite strongly limited on the uppermost bionomic planes, owing in part to the combined effects of factors such as: turbidity; poor light penetration; and the sandy and muddy nature of the seabed. These conditions encourage shade-loving (sciaphila) populations, even close to the surface (-3 m). In this environment, there is very strong heterogeneity, with establishment of pre-coralligenic sciaphila populations, Peyssonnelietum squamariae, and almost single-type situations typical of port waters, with Ulva laetevirens, Gracilaria armata. A meadow of Cymodocea nodosa is present. The waters of the Gulf of Trieste are mainly affected by fresh water brought down seasonally by the Isonzo and Timavo rivers, as well as the large number of springs.

Management :

Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare Area Marina Protetta di Miramare, Maurizio Spoto, spoto@riservamarinamiramare.it, with the Fosterage: WWF Italia.

The managing body draws up a three-year programme of management activities that meet the goals of the founding decree and related circulars from the Environment Ministry In addition, since 2004 all management activities have been included in the EMAS II programme and environmental policy with annual audit and three-yearly certification. Since 2002, the management plan has also been monitored as case studies by the IUCNWCPA-NOAA-WWF group, with specific indicators (biological, socio-economical and governance) for assessing the management effectiveness.

Geographical position :

Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, Province of Trieste. The protected area is located at the foot of the Miramare promontory, a section of coast between the tourist port of Grignano and the Barcola riviera, a summer resort for local residents.