Portofino MPA

Schéma ISEA :

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Territory :

The peninsula is a hilly area that reaches a height of 610 m at the summit of Monte di Portofino. Three Communes (municipalities) of Camogli, Portofino, and Santa Margherita have jurisdiction over lands of the Portofino Peninsula.

Physical characteristic :

The terrestrial part of the MPA is characterized by the rough coast, steep slopes, and lack of roads, which discourage building activity due to high costs. The coast appears in all its charm: suggestive views and small inlets with the vegetation that laps the sea. Submerged cliffs are created along the southern front which descend rapidly to high depths, favoring a wealth of micro-habitats rarely found in the Mediterranean. An archaeological material inside the protected marine area, near the dive site called "Church of Portofino" was also recently discovered.

Specificity and importance :

The MPA is also characterized by the presence of typical Mediterranean habitats and species. Such as Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa meadows which can be affected by the increase in the turbidity of the waters. Molluscs are widespread with species such as octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) with some gastropods. In this environment there is the Noble Pen Shell Pinna nobilis , which reaches considerable sizes. The coralligenous habitat is developing also in low light areas. Among the species Mesophyllum lichenoides, Lithophyllum incrustans, Peyssonnelia squamaria and Peyssonnelia rubra.

The ravines and caves are also numerous with different sizes within the MPA of Portofino. Numerous fish approach the coast, such as anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus), needlefish (Belone belone) and mullet, which are chased by larger fish such amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and tuna (Thunnus thynnus). There is no shortage of sharks such as stingrays, sea eagles and, occasionally, Mediterranean manta rays (Mobula mobular). Lately, Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are increasingly frequenting the MPA.

Threats and Pressures :

Various threats are detected and managed within the scope of the GPA, including:

• The Poaching
• Invasive alien species
• Professional fishing and underwater hunting
• Uncontrolled tourism

Ecological characteristics :

The MPA is characterized by high indices of biodiversity, both in its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. It hides various coastal and marine habitats such as: the low coastal bottoms, sandy bottoms as in the Paraggi area, the photophilic seaweed backdrops, the benthic sciaphile communities. The outer limits of the Portofino MPA shelters seabeds around 70-80 meters. There are numerous sea cucumbers, cnidarians, crustaceans from crabs or prawns like the prawns (Penaeus kerathurus) and the small Plesionika narval , as well as fish from numerous species. Normally many fish that live more on the surface such as the conger ( Conger conger) and Zeus faber.

Management :

Area Marina Protetta di Portofino, Giorgio Fanciulli, direttore@portofinoamp.it and comanaged by consortium comprised of the three municipalities of Camogli, Portofino, and Santa Margherita Ligure, the Metropolitan City of Genoa, and the University of Genoa.

The management plan adopted as part of the ISEA project, updated in 2015, takes into account the main environmental and socio-economic monitoring topics. Particular attention is paid to the following topics:

• Red corals, gorgonians, Pinna nobilis, groupers
• Non-native species
• Artisanal and recreational fisheries, scuba diving, boating
• Main environmental parameters: sea water temperature, salinity, nutrients, zooplankton.

Geographical position :

Portofino MPA is located about 25 km east of Genoa, juts into the Ligurian Gulf and possesses 13 km of coastline along the Ligurian Sea. Liguria, Italy