Portofino Marine Reserve

Portofino Marine Reserve
	Paramuricea clavata
Location:	Genoa , Italy
Next city:	Genoa
Surface:	1.5 km²
Founding:	1999
Address:	Villa Carmagnola ; Viale Rainusso 14 ; 16038 Santa Margherita Ligure
	The zones of the protected area
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The Portofino Marine Reserve was established on April 26, 1999 with its headquarters in Santa Margherita Ligure, in the province of Genoa . The communities of Camogli , Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino are located on or in the marine reserve .

The section of the sea, which is under special protection, surrounds the Portofino peninsula, on which the Portofino regional nature park is located, which is to be reclassified as a national park in the near future .

The sanctuary

The cliffs of the peninsula provide habitat for a rich fauna and flora unique in the Mediterranean Sea .

The reserve has been divided into three zones (A, B and C). In all three zones, free shipping, hunting / fishing or any interference with the fauna and underwater fishing is prohibited; scuba diving is restricted. In any case, scuba diving with ground contact and dropping anchor of any seagoing vessel is strictly forbidden .

Zone A

Zone A (complete reserve) includes the sea section of Cala dell'Oro , which is separated from the rest of the protected area by an imaginary straight line through the two rocky outcrops Punta Torretta and Punta del Buco . All ship traffic, swimming, fishing and diving is prohibited in this section.

The habitat in this zone is comprehensively protected; only rescue measures and authorized scientific activities are permitted.

Zone B

Zone B (General Reserve) extends from Punta del Faro di Portofino to Punta Chiappa , the locality of San Rocco , which is part of the municipality of Camogli. The narrow access corridor to San Fruttuoso is excluded .

In this section of the sea, sport fishing is only permitted for the local population. Scuba diving is only permitted to the various diving organizations or authorized private individuals; whereas apnea diving and bathing are permitted without restrictions. However, diving from the mainland is only permitted from Punta Chiappa , Il Dragone and La Colombara .

The sea section is very popular with divers, who get to see a significant underwater world. Of particular interest is the red horn coral ( Paramuricea clavata ) and the rich fauna. The underwater statue of Cristo degli abissi is also located in this area .

Zone C

Zone C (partial reserve) is located on both sides of the Portofino peninsula and is known for its extensive Neptune grass banks ( posidonia oceanica ). Bathing and diving is permitted as long as it does not endanger the natural habitat. Sport fishing is partially allowed.