#1 of 6-Part Blog Series dedicated to the protection of Posidonia and seagrass meadows from the detrimental effects of dragging anchors.
On World Ocean Day, June 8th, we are excited to launch a special six-part series dedicated to the protection of Posidonia and seagrass meadows from the detrimental effects of dragging anchors. Posidonia oceanica, often called Neptune seagrass, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of our oceans, particularly in the Mediterranean.
As a company committed to marine conservation, we believe that raising awareness and educating the yachting community about responsible anchoring practices is vital. By starting this series on World Ocean Day, we aim to highlight the importance of protecting our oceans and the delicate ecosystems within them. Throughout this series, we will explore various aspects of Posidonia protection, including regulations, communication strategies, international efforts, and technological innovations.
Join us on this journey as we delve into the measures needed to safeguard these underwater treasures and ensure the sustainability of our marine environments.
Navigating Posidonia: Anchorage Regulations for Yachts in the French Riviera
The French Riviera, a premier charter destination, is not just known for its glamour but also for its rich marine ecosystem, home to Posidonia oceanica, or Neptune seagrass. For yacht captains and companies, understanding anchorage regulations is crucial—not just for compliance, but for protecting this vital marine habitat.
⚓ Why It Matters for Yachts in the French Riviera
Anchor dragging poses risks for all yachts, especially at night without early warning systems, potentially causing vessel damage and safety hazards. More importantly, dragging anchors can devastate Posidonia meadows, disrupting marine life and biodiversity. Responsible anchoring practices are essential to preserve the ecological balance of the Mediterranean, supporting activities like diving and snorkeling and ensuring the sustainability of maritime activities.
⚓ Understanding the Anchorage Regulations
French regulations aim to reduce the environmental impact of anchoring on marine ecosystems. These regulations include designated anchorage zones, restricted areas, and guidelines for safe practices. In some regions, anchoring is entirely prohibited, while in others, strict protocols must be followed.
Over the past decades, Posidonia meadows have seen high levels of destruction with improper anchoring and vessel traffic associated with the yachting industry causing an estimated 1,500 hectares of Posidonia meadows to be damaged or destroyed annually in the Mediterranean. For the past five years, the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée (PREMAR MED) has continued to work to strengthen the protection of the marine environment and more particularly of Posidonia meadows. The excellent coordination of the chain of control involving in particular the support centre for the control of the marine environment (CACEM), the semaphores of the French Navy and the units of State action at sea (French Navy including Maritime Gendarmerie, Customs, National Gendarmerie, Maritime Affairs), under the authority of PREMAR MED, was further strengthened last year.
In addition to the adoption of the 2021 regulations, for boats over 20 or 24 metres depending on the area, regulatory controls at sea and the judicial aspect have been reinforced.
Over summer 2021, there were 475 infractions. ‘In 2023,” confirmed Fabien Piredda, Chargé de communication, Bureau de communication régionale at the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée les services de l’État, “933 suspected anchorage violations (650 in 2022) were reported by semaphores to CACEM; these gave rise to 115 reports (119 in 2022) drawn up by these same units, currently being investigated by the Marseille Maritime Court.”
The increase in the number of reports reflects more precise monitoring of vessels over 20/24 metres by semaphores. Interestingly, 95% of captains concerned are of non-French nationality; there has been feedback taken into account by the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée to improve communication about the décrees on the website, though there are remaining barriers with the online search functionality which is currently in French language only (AnchorGuardian will discuss this in a future blog). In place is a graduation of penalties according to the size of the vessel and possible reiteration, targeting both skippers and operators or owners. The majority of those accused are summoned before the prosecutor’s delegate for criminal charges, the others before the maritime court. The fines imposed are between €2,800 and €25,000, in addition to the damages awarded to the civil parties. Some fines have reached as high as €150,000, including incarceration, depending on the severity of the offense.
⚓ Education and Restoration Efforts
Education, scientific research and community awareness plays an important part in preservation of the seagrass meadows. Among its large-scale projects, l’Œil d’Andromède created in 2013, in partnership with the Rhone Mediterranean Corsica Water Agency, MEDTRIX, a mapping platform for the Mediterranean and coastal ecosystems. It facilitates access and consultation of spatialised data of very high resolution (between 0 and 80 meters deep; maps at 1/10000) along the French Mediterranean coast and other global coastlines.
Since 2019, the association also supports the REPIC project that aims to kickstart a restoration process for Posidonia meadows. It involves reintroducing hundreds of meadow fragments that were either torn up by anchors (or naturally broken). The project was initially set for six years with the goal of speeding up the recovery of existing meadows and reclaiming damaged areas. REPIC operates in three restoration zones located in the Alpes-Maritimes: Golfe Juan, Rade de Beaulieu sur Mer, and Villefranche-sur-Mer. The project finishes this year, so AnchorGuardian will follow up with results once they’re published.
⚓ Innovative Solutions: Proactive Anchoring
Technological advancements are aiding in compliance with maritime regulations. The DONIA app, used by over 60,000 people, helps preserve seagrass beds. Our AnchorGuardian solution, launched in late 2023, provides real-time anchor monitoring and alerts for dangerous drag, using advanced algorithms to assist captains in taking corrective actions to avoid sensitive habitats like Posidonia meadows.
⚓ In Summary
Protecting Mediterranean ecosystems requires ongoing efforts from governments, working groups, and technological innovators. The Mediterranean, home to 25-30% of the world’s endemic species and 10% of marine species, needs our protection. As Dr. Sylvia A. Earle said, “Even if you never have the chance to see or touch the ocean, the ocean touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume. Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea.” It’s our collective responsibility to take steps to protect it.
**Resources & Study Reports:**
– Bockel T, Marre G, Delaruelle G, et al. (2023). Anchoring pressure and the effectiveness of new management measure quantified using AIS data and a mobile application. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 195.
– Bockel et al. (2021). Andromède Océanologie. 2023. Suivi des pressions anthropiques en Méditerranée française. Réseau IMPACT 2021-2024.