#6 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.
The RAMOGE Agreement :
Why It Matters For Yachts & Captains
In order to protect the Mediterranean’s maritime ecology, France, Italy, and Monaco established the RAMOGE Agreement in 1976 as a multilateral cooperation agreement. It is a component of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) that is significant to the Barcelona Convention as it provides a comprehensive framework for environmental protection and sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
The Agreement initially encompassed Monaco and the region between Saint-Raphaël, France, and Genoa, Italy. This was extended in 1981 to include Marseille, France, and La Spezia, Italy to better account for the official boundaries of each country. As a result, the Agreement’s borders encompass the whole Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur and Liguria region
As shown earlier this year at the end of Monaco Ocean Week, the Secretariats of the RAMOGE Agreement and the Pelagos Agreement signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation and advance shared initiatives. This is noteworthy because it places a strong emphasis on fostering collaboration to support a solution for long-term viability of yachting activities in the Mediterranean (Source 1).
In order to discuss increased cooperation that supports the conservation of marine ecosystems, a gathering of Pelagos Ambassadors, local authorities, and managers of Marine Protected Areas was held on October 15, 2024, at the SciencesPo Paris University Campus in Menton, France (Source 2).
These discussions encourage yachting industry professionals, municipal officials, and scientific partners to join and contribute to sustainable management practices.
Promoting Environmental Protection
Additionally, the Agreement prioritises preservation of the environment — which is essential for sustaining the pristine marine habitats that the yachting sector depends on. In order to address problems with marine ecosystems and human influences on coastal areas, it comprises a working group on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (GIZC Group), which includes both local governments and academic institutions (Source 3).
Awareness Of Sustainable Boating Practices
Italy, Monaco, and south-east France are popular tourist destinations for cruise ships, boaters, and leisure vessels. The RAMOGE Agreement intends to address the environmental effects of maritime operations and increase awareness about sustainable boating practices among nautical stakeholders, such as captains, charter companies and yacht owners.
Some examples of sustainable boating practices promoted by the Agreement include the use of eco-friendly anti-fouling paints, proper waste disposal to prevent marine pollution, and seminars to educate boaters about safer anchoring techniques and the ecological value of Posidonia.
One important factor that has caused the RAMOGE Agreement to worry is the deterioration of Posidonia, which is partly caused by anchoring techniques. The mechanical action of anchors and chains damages leaf bundles and rhizomes. On average, 16 to 34 bundles of Posidonia Oceanica can be torn up when a boat lowers, stays, and raises their anchor (Source 4).
Balanced Mooring Management
Discussions concerning moorings varies between coastal sectors; in Liguria, the focus is mainly on small vessels, but larger yachts dominate conversations along the French Riviera and Monaco coasts. Establishing balanced mooring practices that minimise environmental damage while supporting the needs of recreational boaters is the ultimate goal.
Implementing balanced mooring practices faces several challenges. One major issue is the vast range of yacht sizes and types, which require different mooring solutions that can be difficult to standardise. The complexity of standardising mooring solutions arises from the diversity of government, international and regional standards, evolving industry needs for larger vessels, new materials and technology (which require ongoing safety standards) and different types of mooring methods (e.g. multi-point mooring) that are suited to specific locations or operational needs.
The topic of mooring methods and procedures has been discussed at conferences organised by RAMOGE. Administrators from the Liguria region, the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée in France, and Monaco’s Department of Maritime Affairs were brought together by the RAMOGE Agreement in 2017 to discuss their experiences and highlight the resources they rely on to manage extremely crowded mooring areas in a manner which safeguards the marine environment (Source 5).
Pollution Response
Aside from promoting sustainable boating, RAMOGE also established the RAMOGEPOL plan in 1993 providing a framework for rapid response to accidental pollution incidents, ensuring that yachting operators have access to effective safety measures and contingency plans.
In Summary
The RAMOGE Agreement’s focus on integrated management of recreational boating aligns with the growing trend of environmental integrity in the yachting sector. It proves commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of yachting activities in the Mediterranean while protecting the marine environment that is essential to its appeal.
AnchorGuardian is an award-winning solution that minimises the risk of anchor drag, providing predictions and triggering immediate alarms with sub-meter accuracy. Discover the AnchorGuardian solution by visiting us at Booth 11.412 at METSTRADE 2024 from November 19 – 21. Book your demonstration now by email: info@swissoceantech.com
Resources:
Source 3:
https://ramoge.org/en/who-we-are/
Source 4:
https://ramoge.org/en/sustainable-management-of-recreational-boating-and-cruising/
Source 5:
https://en.gouv.mc/A-la-Une-du-Portail/RAMOGE-colloquium-to-promote-balanced-mooring-management
6-Part Blog Series Overview: