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For half a century, the Pyrénées-Orientales Department has managed this area, which has become one of the most concrete examples of the effectiveness of marine protected areas.
A strictly protected zone at the heart of the reserve
Within this protected area, a 65-hectare strict protection zone (one-tenth of the territory) forms the core sanctuary. Within this area, all activities involving the removal or exploration of natural resources are prohibited: fishing, diving, collecting, etc. Only swimming and traveling by boat or kayak are permitted.
Why Protect? An Alarming Finding in 1974
The reserve was established in response to an urgent need: the rapid degradation of the marine environment. The mayor of Cerbčre, who is closely connected to the marine environment, partnered with the Banyuls Oceanographic Observatory to create this marine nature reserve. Since then, pressures on the coastline have been mounting: global warming, ocean acidification, chemical and plastic pollution, overfishing, and overtourism. For recreational fishing, this protection means a return of fish and improved quality of fishing areas.
Awareness: The Impact of Sunscreen on Fish
The reserve does not limit its activities to strict conservation. From its earliest years, it has developed educational tools for the general public. The underwater trail, accessible to visitors, is a key educational resource. A key message concerns the impact of sunscreen on the marine ecosystem: visitors are encouraged to wear UV-protective swimwear or T-shirts rather than sunscreen, which harms marine flora and fauna, including the prey of the fish targeted by recreational anglers.
Scientific results that exceeded fishermen's expectations
After 50 years of conservation efforts, the results have been extraordinary for the species targeted by recreational fishing:
- The brown grouper, a species threatened with extinction in the Mediterranean, has made a spectacular comeback: from 20 individuals in the 1980s to nearly 720 today.
- The density of rare species such as sea bream, red seabream, corb, and grouper is three times higher than that observed outside the reserve.
- Biomass?that is, the average size of individuals?is 30 times greater in protected areas.
This increase in fish size plays a crucial role in reproduction. Larger individuals contribute more effectively to population renewal. The effect now extends beyond the reserve?s boundaries: scientists are observing a ? spillover effect " sea bream and red seabream, and the gradual recolonization of neighboring areas. The reserve demonstrates that marine protected areas are a worthwhile investment for recreational fishing in the Mediterranean.
