Yesterday, the Northern Sardinia Maritime Directorate held a meeting at the headquarters of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park to discuss the new provisions contained in the La Maddalena Port Authority ordinance. The measure, it was emphasized, is the result of collaboration between the Park Authority, the Maritime Authority, and the Municipality of La Maddalena. Although quite restrictive in many respects, it is dictated by the need to protect a particularly valuable marine environment , rich in biodiversity, which, particularly during the summer season, is subject to significant human pressure due to the massive presence of vessels; a phenomenon that is seriously jeopardizing its maintenance and conservation.
The meeting was attended by Olbia's maritime director, Gianluca D'Agostino, the president of the National Park, Rosanna Giudice, the director Giulio Plastina, and Mayor Fabio Lai. The initiative aimed to provide technical clarifications to industry professionals (who were numerous in attendance), boaters, and residents. The ordinance will come into force on June 1st and will regulate navigation, mooring, anchoring, and maritime activities in the waters of the National Park until September 30th of each year. The objective is twofold: to ensure the safety of human life at sea and to protect the marine environment, with particular attention to the Posidonia oceanica meadows.
Among the main measures envisaged are new speed limits for all vessels: 7 knots within 500 meters of the coast and 10 knots between 500 and 1,000 meters from the coast, while maintaining a displacement trim. The ordinance prohibits the discharge of solid or liquid waste and sewage, black or gray, into the sea. Collecting sand, shells, or other natural materials is prohibited, as is anchoring on Posidonia oceanica meadows or other sensitive habitats. Anchoring will be permitted only on sandy or muddy seabeds, while in some specific areas it will be completely prohibited . Mooring at buoys will continue to be regulated by the Park Authority's regulations. Passenger vessels must adhere to the itineraries and stopping sites authorized by the Park Authority. In some locations, such as Cala Corsara, Cala Coticcio, and Spiaggia dei Cavalieri, the waters will be reserved primarily for maneuvering these vessels.
Finally, the establishment of a permanent technical committee between the Coast Guard, the Municipality, and the Park Authority was announced, tasked with monitoring the effectiveness of the new measures and analyzing maritime traffic data.
