Evaluating the effects of protection on two benthic habitats at Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo MPA (north-east Sardinia, Italy)

Published source details Ceccherelli G., Casu D., Pala D., Pinna S. & Sechi N. (2006) Evaluating the effects of protection on two benthic habitats at Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo MPA (north-east Sardinia, Italy). Marine Environmental Research, 61, 171-185.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Designate a Marine Protected Area with a zonation system of activity restrictions Action Link

Designate a Marine Protected Area with a zonation system of activity restrictions

A site comparison study in 2002–2003 of three rocky sites within a marine protected area with a zonation system in northeast Sardinia, Mediterranean Sea, Italy (Ceccherelli et al. 2006) found that a fully protected site prohibiting all fishing had a different invertebrate and algae (species combined) community composition to partially protected sites where some fishing occurred, after six years of enforcement. Community data were reported as graphical analyses. In addition, the cover of sponges Cliona spp. was higher in the fully protected site (6–12 % cover) compared to the partially protected sites (1–5 % cover). In September 2002 and 2003, algae and invertebrates were surveyed once at three sites (5 m depth) inside a protected area: a no-take zone (one site) and a partially protected zone where some regulated fishing takes places (two sites). Restrictions and limitations had been enforced since 1997. Divers photographed 10 quadrats (16 × 23 cm)/site. Percentage cover of sessile invertebrates and algae were estimated from photographs.

(Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson & Laura Pettit)