RegulationS & SOLUTIONS

Photograph by Daisee Aguilera

Regulations

The list of rules and regulations are not exhaustive and will be progressively updated. The objective is to help captains as much as possible but the authors will not take responsibility in case of new changes, misunderstanding of the local regulations.

Please refer to official legal sources available for each country.

Posidonia
Photograph by Iván Moreno

Legislation currently in force per country

CROATIA

croatia

MPA Lastovo Islands

By setting 57 moorings (anchor system type Manta Ray) for the mooring of boats in busy nautical sites at MPA Lastovo Islands, illegal anchoring, and thus endangering the sea vegetation, is prevented.

Available here

Bioportal

Web portal of Nature Protection Information System – map of marine habitats (2004).

Available here

FRANCE

france

Marine safety, security and environmental protection are in charge of the maritime prefect in France.

The pressure of tourism, especially during the high season, the continuous increase of yacht sizes and the rapid degradation of the Posidonia meadows are the main elements that have led the French Maritime Prefect to develop new policy to further organize anchorages along the Mediterranean coastline. The aim is to balance the various interests, both public and private, by taking into account the economic weight of the yachting industry whilst protecting marine habitats.

Different decrees have been adopted. Each of these decrees have run through public consultation processes. The contributions and remarks that have been made have been systematically studied. Please find more information on the responses provided to all actors here.

In summary: 

1.- Decree No. 123/2019 of June 03, 2019 sets the general framework for anchoring and stopping of vessels in the French territorial waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

2.- Decree No. 155/2016 of June 24, 2016 organizes the anchoring of large vessels (over 45 meters). It creates anchoring areas for these vessels and an authorization or declaration regime.

3.- Local decrees decline the 123/2019 decree by establishing a coherent system of anchoring and stopping areas along the coastline for vessels from 24 meters (20 meters on the sectors that justified it).

The territorial decrees result from a large and collective process initiated in 2018 based on consultation with different stakeholders.

Decree No. 155/2016 of June 24, 2016: concerns yachts > 45 m

Decree No. 123/2019 of June 03, 2019: gives the general framework

Territorial decrees

DepartmentZoneNumber
06From the mouth of the Var river to the limits of the French, Monegasque and Italian territorial waters204/2020
06From the pointe de l’Aiguille to the mouth of the Var river205/2020
06/83From the old port of Saint-Raphaël to the pointe de l’Aiguille249/2020
83From the Cap Pinet to the pointe de Saint Aygulf248/2020
83From the Cap Bénat to the pointe lof the Bonne Terrasse247/2020
83From the Cap Carqueiranne to the Cap Bénat246/2020
83From the pointe Fauconnière to the cap Cépet245/2020
83/13Perimeter of the La Ciotat bay011/2021
13Perimeter of the Calanques National Park099/2021
13Perimeter of the N2000 site « côte bleue marine »159/2016
34Off the coast of the Hérault department020/2021
66Off the coast of the Pyrénées-Orientales department221/2020
2APerimeter of the Bouches de Bonifacio reserve206/2020
2BPerimeter of the Natural Marine Park of the Cap Corse095/2021

BOOK OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTS 

(If any doubt, anchor more than 30 m deep in the french Riviera and 40 m in Corsica (limit of the presence of Posidonia oceanica)

Database

Official source for maps: https://data.shom.fr    

Regulations and Posidonia also available on the free App DONIA

The Maritime Prefect leads and coordinates the action of the administrations at sea and the implementation of their resources. It is under his coordination that the anchorage control policy will be implemented. This policy will be smart and take into account local situations. The Prefecture Maritime has full confidence in the sense of responsibility of French and foreign captains. Nevertheless, bad faith and abuses will be systematically dealt rigorously and firmly.

Sanctions can be up to 150 000 euros fine, 3 years prison and the ban to navigate in the French territorial waters.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW FRENCH ANCHORING REGULATIONS AND POSIDONIA?
To find out more information about the new French anchoring regulations and Posidonia, please consult official sources such as:   https://data.shom.fr  and https://www.premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr/

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THE LAWS ON POSIDONIA?
The Maritime Prefect leads and coordinates the action of the administrations at sea and the implementation of their resources. It is under his coordination that the anchorage control policy will be implemented. This policy will be smart and take into account local situations. . The Prefecture Maritime has full confidence in the sense of responsibility of French and foreign captains.. Nevertheless, bad faith and abuses will be systematically dealt rigorously and firmly.
Sanctions can be up to 150 000 euros fine, 3 years prison and the ban to navigate in the French territorial waters.

WHERE ARE THE POSIDONIA AREAS IN FRANCE?
Posidonia is present in waters between 0 and 30- 40 metres in depth.
You can find out where the Posidonia areas are by visiting www.donia.fr or by using the free DONIA app. DONIA is a free app to help access to maps of the seabed and up-to-date regulations for a serene anchorage.

If any doubt, anchor more than 30 m deep in the french Riviera and 40 m in Corsica (limit of the presence of Posidonia oceanica)
More generaly, aim for sandy areas, easily identifiable by their clear bottom. Use appropriate length of chain and warp. Raise your anchor correctly (once the boat is in position).

WHY IS THERE A NEED TO PROTECT POSIDONIA?
Posidonia is known as “the lung of the Mediterranean” for being one of the most important sources of oxygen in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a refuge and breeding place for more than 400 plant species and 1,000 animal species. Its economical value is higher than that of coral reefs! It is also highly vulnerable – it grows just 1 metre per century and it cannot be restored.

WHAT IS POSIDONIA?
Posidonia oceanica is a marine plant, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It lives between 0- and 40-meters depth. It is highly protected and is the KEY habitat for the Med Sea. Its economical value is higher than that of coral reefs! The growth is really slow, and once destroyed we can not restore it.

WHY DO THE RESTRICTIONS ONLY APPLY TO THE SOUTHERN END OF PAMPELONE BEACH?
On the Pampelonne beach is planned in a short term an eco-mooring project dedicated to yachting. It will enable to both offer a safe solution for captains and protect the Posidonia Habitat.
More info here : https://www.ramatuelle.fr/projet-de-zone-de-mouillage-dequipements-legers-zmel/

HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF OFFERING UP THE SOLUTION OF LAYING MOORING FIELDS?

Eco mooring projects are under development in France to offer a short term solution to yachts in areas covered by Posidonia habitat with no sandy areas.
However, this type of project is complex in terms of environmental, technical and economical issues, and requires some time to offer a safe and eco-friendly mooring to captains. French authorities are accelerating their implementation to be complementary with the new regulations.

Bonifacio and Pampelonne should be the first projects to be set up. Others should follow.

WHY IS IT ONLY VESSELS OVER 24M THAT THE RULES APPLY TO?

24 m is the threshold used to differentiate professional and non-professional vessels in the French legislation.

There are indeed many more vessels under 24 m (the average is around 10 m around). However, the impact of small units is less important. They destroy mainly leaves, and do not impact the dead meadows.

For more information on the impact of anchoring of yachting you can watch this video: Andromède Océanologie Video

However, the repetition of anchoring of small units can also have some impact on the long term on the dead meadows. Some Posidonia areas are banned from anchoring for all type of units and many eco-mooring projects are under development.

WILL THE MOORING AREAS BE NEAR THE COASTLINE SO IT IS POSSIBLE TO ENJOY THE LANDSCAPE?

Bonifacio and pampelonne should be the first areas where eco moorings will be set up and other projects will follow.

It is still possible to enjoy the French coast. Anchoring is not forbidden everywhere but only in the posidonia habitats for boats above 24 m length.

Specific regulation

Due to COVID 19 pandemic, French maritime authorities have defined specific navigation rules in French territorial waters under prefectoral decree 238/2020, according with national rules.

According to these specific coronavirus COVID-19 regulations, foreign vessels flying flags outside Schengen agreement are prohibited from anchoring or stopping along the French coasts except as provided for in Article 2 of Decree 85-185 of 06 February 1985 and in the case of absolute necessity.

Nonetheless, these regulations are specific to COVID-19 and should be repealed.

This does not call into question either the right of innocent passage nor the regulation of supervision of anchorages set up by the Maritime Prefecture.

France has different areas where buoys have been implemented for leisure vessels.

Different projects are under process to offer more eco mooring buoys in dense areas (Bonifacio, Pampelonne, etc.)

Donia APPAndromede Oceanologie and AERMC have developed a free app to help access to maps of the seabed and up-to-date regulations for a serene anchorage.

It is intended for yachtsmen, divers, fishermen and all sea lovers who wish to benefit from accurate maps, enriched with data on marine life and real-time information on surface activities.

Donia APP

DONIA works and raises awareness of environmental preservation by providing extremely accurate maps of the nature of the seabed, enabling Mediterranean yachtsmen to anchor outside the protected Posidonia meadows.

Already more than 50 000 downloads!

To access the Donia App please click here. 

For more information please email padem@premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr

GREECE

greece

Gyaros MPA

15 eco-moorings around Gyaros MPA (Aegean Sea, Greece) to regulate and mitigate anchoring pressure on Posidonia and coralligenous seabeds within the frame of the CYCLADES LIFE Project.

For more information about the CYCLADES LIFE Project please click here. 

DONIA APP

Andromede Oceanologie and AERMC have developed a free app to help access to maps of the seabed and up-to-date regulations for a serene anchorage.

It is intended for yachtsmen, divers, fishermen and all sea lovers who wish to benefit from accurate maps, enriched with data on marine life and real-time information on surface activities.

Donia APP

DONIA works and raises awareness of environmental preservation by providing extremely accurate maps of the nature of the seabed, enabling Mediterranean yachtsmen to anchor outside the protected Posidonia meadows.

Already more than 50 000 downloads!

Available here

ITALY

italy

National

Regional

  • Site specific conservation measures for Ligurian marine SCIs.
    Link 1 | Link 2
  • Safeguard measures for habitats referred to in Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC pursuant to L.R. 28/2009
  • Proposal for a resolution on the regulation of recreational nautical anchoring on SAC in Posidonia following the 2018.
  • Rules for the enforcement and organization of the protected area named Portofino.
  • Product T2.2.7a Analysis of feasibility and proposal for a joint regulation on recreational boating and anchoring and mooring activities Portofino Marine Protected Area: Compatibility assessments with other regulations in force.

Portofino Marine Protected Area (MPA)

The Portofino MPA extends to the municipalities of Camogli, Portofino and S. Margherita Ligure. There are a total of 5 mooring fields with up to 107 buoys for boats between 7.5m and 24m length. 

For more information & reservations please visit the website http://www.portofinoamp.it/

For information on the Rules for the Enforcement and Organization of the MPA please click here.

To contact the Administrative office call +39 0185.287247 or email info@portofinoamp.it

MALTA

malta

Malta has various legislative material that control anchoring and mooring such as the:

Malta conducted various awareness processes and campaigns with respect to MPAs in general, in relation to marine monitoring and site designations, referring to the important habitats and species as pertinent and hence including Posidonia beds.  Furthermore, publicity activities were undertaken as part of the project ‘EMFF 8.3.1 – Marine environmental monitoring: towards effective management of Malta’s marine waters.’  With respect to Posidonia oceanica, awareness raising linked with this project was mostly related to the condition of Posidonia oceanica as measured through the monitoring processes.  Additional awareness campaigns and awareness-raising material are in development mainly as part of the management processes for MPAs within the framework of the EU Nature Directives, and also within the framework of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Programme of Measures especially measure M077: “Awareness Raising Campaign on protected species associated with benthic communities.”

The extent of Posidonia oceanica from a 2003 baseline survey can be found here. The extent of Posidonia oceanica through data collection from more recent monitoring has already been mapped and uploaded on ERA’s data platforms. ERA will be soon updating its public data platform to also include data layers of Malta’s Posidonia oceanica extent and condition as monitored under the EMFF 8.3.1 project.  At this stage, related datasets can be accessed by following instructions referred here.

MONACO

Mónaco

National

  • Article 0 & o.244-14in the “Code of the Sea” states: “Fishing with bottom trawls, seines and similar nets towed over Posidonia or other marine phanerogams meadows is prohibited.”

SPAIN

spain

National

Andalucía

Catalonia

  • Order 91.210.098 (DOGC no. 1479, page 4395, dated 8/12/1991), where all species of marine phanerogams present on the coast are declared protected

Valencia

Balearic Islands

Mallorca
Menorca
Ibiza and Formentera

Balearics Islands Mooring fields

There are 9 eco-mooring fields around the Balearic coast: 

  • Mallorca: Cala Blava & Sa Dragonera/Sant Elm
  • Menorca: Illa den Colom &  Cala Fornells
  • Ibiza: Ses Salines
  • Formentera: Espalmador & Es Calò des Oli

How to book?
Bookings can be made through the website www.cbbasea.com
Bookings can be made until 9 a.m. of the arrival date. For booking on the same day please contact the surveillance boats on VHF CH. 77  or at info@cbbasea.com surveillance boat at the field of buoys, subject to availability.

Mooring buoys reservation APP: CBBASea APP.

The Mooring Fields currently available are: 

For more information about mooring fields please go to: www.balearslifeposidonia.eu

Anchoring Surveillance 

The Balearic Government have a Surveillance service assisting all boat captains to anchor correctly on the sandy areas. The service is available in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The Surveillance team can be reached on VHF Channel 68, via email (atlasposidonia@gmail.com) and via telephone on +34 971 17 70 00. 

For more information on the Anchoring Surveillance areas in the Balearic Islands please click here.

  

ATLAS Posidonia

Tool which enables captains to anchor in the Balearic Islands.
Available here

Cartographic map

Help to found in Balearic Islands.
Available here

Project SIMBAD

SIMBAD is a scientific platform born with the aim to protect Earth’s ecosystems from space, in particular, to monitor the Posidonia Oceanica (P. Oceanica) meadows in the Mediterranean Sea.
Available here

Posidonia Maps

APP designed and developed by Movired for the presentation of posidonia maps. The goal is that the user can anchor without damaging the ecosystem and help the institutions and entities responsible for the environment to keep it safe.
Available here

Anchoring & Eco-mooring Tools