The Reserve and the fishing
Only if seen in a very simplistic way can the core reserve zone, established in 1986, and the buffer zone, established 10 years later, be considered as a part of a state area taken away and thus causing the loss for the fishermen, or worse, as an expropriation or stealth.
In fact, Miramare has an important role in the natural off shore repopulation. The set nets, frequently placed immediately outside the protected perimeter, prove it. But reserve’s task is not only to passively protect within its borders the species that are available immediately outside of it (this task implies the use of adequate biological monitoring programs in order to evaluate the natural repopulation and the efficiency of the protection) but would like to give suggestions and participate to the management of the coastal area.
Miramare has always participated to the experimentation of the artificial reefs: from blocks of concrete used as an impediment for bottom trawl netting in order to protect the area reserved for other types of use, to FADs (Fish Aggregation Device) which are light structures of a particular shape that are able to attract and aggregate various fish species when submerged. In 1978 an artificial reef constructed with reinforced concrete tubes, was placed on the muddy seabed in front of Miramare. Initially, its function was to impede the fishing in an area which had not yet become a State natural reserve. In the course of the years the reef, 30 metres long, 6 metres wide and 3 metres high, was populated with numerous organisms, from the encrusting species (epibenthic organisms) to fishes that found secure shelters in the cavities of the reef.
The creation, around the core zone, of the buffer zone where the fishing is prohibited enabled the Reserve to test light artificial structures used for the aggregation of fishes in order to repopulate the area. These structures can be taken away which renders them compatible with the marine conservation criteria.
It’s important to underline that the repopulation has a considerable importance not only in the rational exploitation of the fish stock by fishing but also in the creation of new zones interesting for divers in order to prevent the degradation of the areas presently very frequented. In other words, this will improve the distribution of underwater tourism
Moreover, the Reserve is actually promoting activity of “fishing-tourism” from Grignano bay, where you can go on a boat trip and witness the fishing activities in the Gulf, while listening to the fishermen telling you about the efforts and rewards of working at sea. Fishing-tourism activities spring not only out of an interest towards fishing, but also out of the need to diminish the fishing pressure in the Gulf. Fishing-tourism is meant to be an alternative incoming option for the fishermen: in this way, they should be less motivated to go fishing at least over the summer, when fishing-tourism activities can be better pursued.
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