Penisola del Sinis - Isola di Mal di Ventre

Schéma ISEA :

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Territory :

The MPA includes the Sinis peninsula from Mare Morto (inside the Gulf of Oristano), to Porto Suedda, the Mal di Ventre island and the Catalano rock. The MPA is related with a wide wetland system (Cabras and Mistras Lagoons)

Physical characteristic :

The Penisola del Sinis area is characterized by a high diversity of natural landscapes and cultural evidences. Sea-bottoms are characterized by different substrate types: for example, basaltic necks in the area of the Catalano, granitic rock in the Mal di Ventre island, carbonatic caves in the foreland of Seu, limestone beds along the Sinis coast.

Specificity and importance :

Sinis MPA hosts a rich fish assemblage which includes protected species like Epinephelus marginatus and Sciaena umbra. Mal di Ventre island, and the Catalano rock, were recognized as Special Area of Conservation, according to the “Habitat directive”, and Special Protection Area, according to the “Birds directive” also because they are important nesting sites for marine bird species, respectively: Stagno di Cabras (the largest Sardinian lagoon), Stagno di Mistras (a coastal lagoon), San Giovanni di Sinis (a coastal dune system), Isola di Mal di Ventre and Scoglio del Catalano.

Threats and Pressures :

The main threats to habitats and species within the marine protected area are due to professional fishing, recreational activities (e.g. noise and use of anchor in mooring operations), and the collection (although forbidden) of quartz sand (especially along the beaches of Is Arutas, Mari Ermi and Maimoni). Other threats to marine habitats and species are due to trawling and recreational fishing.

Ecological characteristics :

The Posidonia oceanica meadows are the dominant habitat type in the MPA which take turns with precoralligenous and coralligenous populations. Rocky bottoms that rise up by the large sandy beaches are colonized by bryozoans (e.g. Myriapora truncata) and incrustant sponges, facies of Cladocora caespitosa and Cnidaria as Eunicella singularis, Astroides calycularis and Alcyonium acaule. In deep sites and caves, it is possible to observe populations of Corallium rubrum and colonies of the black coral Savalia savaglia.

Management :

The municipality of Cabras, Area Marina Protetta Sinis, direzione.ampsinis@comune.cabras.or.it

Management programs are approved annually by the Ministry of the Environment and help to define a true Local Action Plan, where interventions and actions constitute the answer to the protection of biodiversity and preservation of environmental integrity. In addition, the management programs integrate environmental protection with the enhancement of the same, while improving the standard of social and economic life of the resident community. Pending the establishment of an institutionalized management plan, the activities are regulated by the decree of the Coast Guard, regional laws and decrees, management plans inside the MPA approved by the regional authorities.

Geographical position :

The Marine Protected Area (MPA) is located in the west coast of Sardinia. It includes the Sinis peninsula coast from ‘Mare Morto’ to ‘Porto Suedda’, the ‘Mal di Ventre’ granitic island and the ‘Catalano’ volcanic rock. The shoreline is characterized by different coast typology: sand beaches, rocks and cliffs. Mal di Ventre Island and Catalano rock are located along a ridge 5-6 miles away from the coast. Sardinian Region, Province of Oristano.