Posted on September, 29 2001
The Italian ratification, which follows those of France and Monaco, means that the treaty enters into force.
This sanctuary will be the first marine protected area in the Northern Hemisphere to include international waters.
"This is a great achievement, the result of a 10-year effort led by WWF and other groups," said Paolo Lombardi, the Director of WWF Mediterranean Programme Office. "WWF now urges proper management of the Whale Sanctuary through the creation of an international steering committee, so that all management rules are harmonized, as foreseen by the international agreement."
WWF also urges prompt regulation of whale-watching activities and strict monitoring of pelagic drift-net fishery throughout the Whale Sanctuary, as prescribed by the European law of 1 January, 2002.
Pelagic drift-net fishery represents a major threat to the cetaceans.
The treaty establishing the Whale Sanctuary in the Mediterranean was signed by the three governments of Italy, France and Monaco on 25 November, 1999.
The law passed by the Italian Parliament ratifying the treaty prescribes the creation of an Italian managing committee, prohibits all off-shore competitions and foresees initial funding.
The Whale Sanctuary will be the largest marine protected area in the Mediterranean and covers around 84,000 square kilometres, an area twice as large as Switzerland.
It lies between the French Côte d'Azur, Monaco, the Ligurian coast in Italy and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia.
The new marine protected area plays a primary biological role in the Mediterranean Sea. Eighteen different cetacean species live in this area, among which seven can be observed throughout the whole year: the pilot whale, fin whale, sperm whale, common dolphin, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and the Risso's dolphin.
Attracted by the nutrient richness, about 25,000 to 45,000 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and 2,000 whales (Balaneoptera physalus) are estimated to be present in this area during the summer months, a number two to four times higher than in the rest of the Mediterranean Sea.
For further information:
Paolo Guglielmi, Head of Marine Unit, WWF Mediterranean Programme Office tel: +39 06 844 97 358, mobile +39 335 7010 856