Capo Caccia – Isola Piana

Schéma ISEA :

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Territory :

The AMP Capo Caccia-Isola Piana is located in the north-east of the island of Sardinia, precisely in the administrative territory of the city of Alghero.

Physical characteristic :

The Capo Caccia – Isola Piana Marine Protected Area is characterized in its highest peaks by limestone cliffs of Mesozoic, with facies of the Triassic and Cretaceous. The promontory of Capo Caccia contains relics of a highly evolved continental palaeomorphology, such as suspended valleys and truncated sides. Overall, the relief forms exhibit characteristics typical of limestone regions, with no surface water drainage. Due to the particular geomorphology, one finds relatively deep bottoms in the submerged part of the promontory of Capo Caccia, while in the inner bay of Porto Conte, the bottom has a softer slope.

Specificity and importance :

The Marine Protected Area contains ecosystems specific to the Mediterranean (Coralligene, meadows of Posidonia, formation of Lithophyllum byssoides and habitats of endangered species (Corallium rubrum, Pinna nobilis, Hydrobates pelagicus) and of particular interest from the scientific point of view (surevillance of the caves (surface and submerged) and follow-up of the colonies of Corallium rubrum) (presence of high peaks with cliffs dating from the Mesozoic and Triassic and Cretaceous facies) and cultural and especially educational (with the existence of vast and deep caves and underground lakes, historically used by man as the «green cave».

Threats and Pressures :

The pressures on the MPA are primarily human, including:

• Scuba diving and snorkeling
• Unmanaged tourist traffic
• Uncontrolled fishing
• Poaching
• The pollution

Ecological characteristics :

The main coastal habitat is the formation of Lithophyllum byssoides; its development seems to be favoured by the limestone cliffs, where intense hydrodynamic and windy conditions are present. The seagrasses at Posidonia oceanica are heterogeneous within the boundaries of the MPA. On the west side of the MPA, the presence of posidonia (Posidonia oceanica) is limited, mainly seen at a depth between 25 m and 35 m. Circalittoral habitats between 40 and 50 m deep are dominated by biocenosis of coarse sand and fine gravel. The shallow circalittoral stage in this area is characterized by fine homogeneous sand, and silt. Communities on the rocky upper sub-shoreline are dominated by limestone red algae of the genera Jania and Corallina.

Management :

Porto Conte Park Special Company, Mariano Mariani direzione@ampcapocaccia.it

The area has a management organization (Reserve Committee) and a management plan established annually that includes an estimate of the expenditures related to the annual program and suggestions for the perimeter and zoning of the MPA, particularly for certain activities such as:

• Purchase, installation and regular and emergency maintenance of mooring buoys
• Conservation of Corallium rubrum in surface sites
• Information and sea surveillance support services
• Coastline cleaning service
• Drawing of the MPA Risk Map

Geographical position :

North East of Sardaigna, Italy