Co-management of a marine reserve

The consortium of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Torre Guaceto works closely with the local fishing community to find effective management solutions.

The Torre Guaceto MPA consortium received EMFF funding for four different projects: to survey fishing activity in the area; to expand the MPA, with support from three fisheries Local Action Groups (LAGs); to monitor catches of protected species; and to increase fishers’ and local communities’ awareness of MPAs and the sustainable use of marine resources.

Located on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy, this MPA protects one of the richest areas of the Mediterranean in terms of numbers of species. For the first five years all types of fishing were forbidden, to allow fish stocks to regenerate. After that, the consortium worked with a technical team, local fishers, and research institutes to define common rules for fishing in the reserve, such as the types of fishing gear allowed and the frequency of fishing. Fishers are also regularly involved in ecosystem services and weekly monitoring, making it possible to manage the reserve in ways that respond rapidly to changes in fish stocks.