#2 of 6-Part Blog Series dedicated to the protection of Posidonia and seagrass meadows from the detrimental effects of dragging anchors.
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.
Why Yacht Captains Facing Anchorage Fines are mostly Non-French
Posidonia is known as “the lung of the Mediterranean” because it makes lots of oxygen for the sea. It is also home for over 400 types of plants and about 1,000 kinds of animals, therefore seagrass protection is a key conservation issue in EU waters. Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa meadows are defined as priority natural habitats in Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, and considered a critical habitat at the scale of the whole Mediterranean basin.
Anchoring Awareness: Protecting Posidonia and Preserving Mediterranean Yachting
The Mediterranean, particularly the French and Italian Liguria coastline, continue to be a hotspot for luxury yachting. We’re seeing more visitors each high season and a trend towards larger vessels. This boom is fantastic for the economy, but it comes with challenges we need to address.
The leisure boating sector is responsible for the loss of 30% of Mediterranean Posidonia meadows (ref. 4). The EU definition of leisure boating and the yacht industry (Art.3, European Directive 2013/53/EU) classifies two types of boat (sail, motor and/or engine or self-powered): recreational boats of 2.5-24m in length, and large yachts (usually classed as superyachts) over 24m. For French legislation, 24m is the threshold used to differentiate professional and small recreational vessels.
According to The Superyacht Agency, assuming average fleet growth and a consistent ratio of around 25 percent of the fleet as being active in the western Mediterranean in any 12-month period, the region can expect around 1700 active 30m+ yachts cruising the region each year by 2030, around 350 more than 2022 (ref. 1). There are many more vessels under 24m (the average is around 10m). However, the impact of small boats is less important, because it is the larger yachts with large anchors that are especially damaging.
Posidonia grows super slowly – we’re talking just a few centimetres a year. When yachts drop and haul anchor, they might accidentally tear up these seagrass meadows. Anchor dragging often occurs at night, so if you don’t have an anchor monitoring system there can potentially be damage to marine habitats, the vessel or safety risks for the people on board.
Experiments conducted in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPA) such as Port-Cros in France revealed that between 6 and 34 Posidonia shoots were destroyed during an anchoring cycle (lock-in and retrieval), depending on the anchor size (ref. 2). A 50m yacht can destroy up to 1,500m2 of Posidonia meadows in a single anchoring cycle (Citation of Frederic Villiers from the French Biodiversity Agency).
“Once the seagrass is torn up, it takes an exceedingly long time for these slow-growing plants to recover. Mitigating anchoring impact is pretty much equaled to Posidonia restoration for the case of the Cyclades where no other direct pressures exist.” says Maria Salomidi PhD, Researcher and Marine Ecologist of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR).
The Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée has recognised these challenges and has implemented anchorage policies along the Mediterranean coast. Far from being a hindrance, these policies present an opportunity for us to showcase our commitment to safer anchoring.
How Language Barriers and Complex Regulations Hinder Compliance For Anchor Regulations
Fabien Piredda, Chargé de communication, Bureau de communication régionale at the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée les services de l’État confirmed that between 2022 and 2023 the increase in the number of reported anchorage violations (650 increased to 933 in 2023) reflects more precise monitoring of vessels over 20/24 metres by semaphores.
As professionals, we’re facing a critical challenge that demands our attention. Recent data shows that 95% of captains involved in anchorage violations are non-French nationals (Source: PREMAR). This statistic, coupled with a recent high-profile case of a Hungarian captain fined €20,000 and banned from sailing in French territorial waters for 12 months underscores the need for better understanding and communication of French anchorage regulations. Marine Protected Area managers also agree that the main cause behind offences are ignorance or misinformation (see MedPAN study on Enforcement 2013).
Therefore, let’s look into why these cultural barriers exist regarding understanding anchorage regulations, and how as an industry can we resolve and improve communication of regulations and Posidonia zones.
Understanding The Barriers For French Anchorage Regulations:
Information Overload: With 18 different decrees for the southern French coast and Corsica alone, staying updated is challenging. Each of these decrees have run through public consultation processes.
Language Barriers: The Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée website is primarily in French, making it difficult for non-French speakers to access crucial information. This means important English language keyword searches relating to ‘anchorage’ and ‘Posidonia’ do not function.
Digital Limitations: PDF formats for decrees aren’t easily searchable online, complicating quick reference checks via internet search engines.
Information Management: There are various communication updates that come via newsletter, social media or conferences from different parties concerning marine governance. This includes regulatory bodies for the industry at local, regional EU level and internationally, environmental organisations, yachting associations, fisheries inspection, Marine Protected Areas, scientists. This complicates the analysis and limits of current legislations because there is a lot of information to digest!
Solutions To Improve Communication For French Anchorage Regulations
Communication and education is a key factor to improve safe anchoring, enhance awareness concerning seagrass protection and to overcome cultural barriers between stakeholders. It may be done through either formal or informal activities.
⚓ We’re curating a master list of all French anchorage regulation decrees for a future blog. Head to our ‘Contact Us’ page to subscribe to our updates.
⚓ Investment in translating key regulations for international audiences. Feedback has been taken into account by the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée to improve communication about the décrees on their website, though they have confirmed it is a costly and big project to translate all decrees and PDF documents into English language.
⚓ Leveraging technology by using apps such as Nav & Co and DONIA that provide real-time updates on anchorage zones and regulations.
⚓ A collaborative approach is required for safer anchoring and Posidonia conservation in the Mediterranean. One regional initiative is the Mediterranean Posidonia Network (MPN) that gathers 60 members from 15 countries (stakeholders, authorities, scientists, Marine Protected Areas managers, environmental organisations, professionals, etc.). The aim is to exchange information and share joint solutions at Mediterranean scale.
⚓ Public authorities and corporate businesses have a role to play in education and should highlight the issue of delicate habitats such as Posidonia meadows. Advertisements via charter companies, marinas, sailing schools and yacht clubs, can help to spread information about anchor monitoring and the impact of anchor dragging on seagrass habitats.
⚓ Media can build awareness by interviewing local environmental associations and MPA managers, and launching campaigns for local and regional boat shows.
⚓ Anchor regulations and Posidonia information and awareness can be distributed via associations and yachting groups such as The Professional Yachting Association (The PYA), MYBA and Groupement des Equipages Professionnels du Yachting (GEPY).
⚓ Beach clean ups have had important results on the outreach of local societies and environmental actions, in turn creating awareness of marine life and seagrass preservation.
Priority should always be given to the conservation and protection of existing Posidonia meadows (ref. 3). Whenever the choice is possible, avoid anchoring over Posidonia meadows. Captains are encouraged to speak to the relevant sémaphore (radio station) on Channel 16 in French waters. If any doubt, anchor more than 30m deep in the French Riviera and 40m in Corsica (limit of the presence of Posidonia oceanica).
By proactively addressing these challenges, the industry can:
- Minimise legal risks where non-compliance can result in hefty fines and cruising bans, directly impacting business operations.
- Enhance trust and reputation by demonstrating expertise in regulations.
- Improve client experiences by showcasing commitment to preservation of marine habitats.
- Contribute to environmental conservation efforts.
Losing Posidonia means having a Mediterranean Sea poorer in oxygen, health and biodiversity. We all have an opportunity to ensure the Mediterranean remains a premier yachting destination for generations to come.
Resources & Study Reports: