WCPA-Marine/WWF MPA Management Effectiveness Initiative
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Miramare Marine Protected Area, Italy

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Site map

Miramare MPA Map
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Site Overview

General description of site:
miramare
Photo credit: Miramare Marine Reserve (Trieste, Italy)
The Marine Reserve of Miramare is located at about 8 km from Trieste (Italy) and it extends for 1700 m coastline and for 120 hectares at sea, which area is divided in a core (30 hectares) and in a buffer zone (90 hectares). The maximum depth reaches 18 m. The geographic position and the geo-morphological structure of this coastal tract make Miramare an unique environment that alone represents the peculiarities of the entire Gulf of Trieste.

Date of establishment: 1986

Area (Km2): 1.2

Size of site (S <= 20Km2; M = 20 - 2000Km2; L >= 2000Km2): Small

Ecosystem type/main ecological features:

  • Tidal area
  • Rocky shore
  • Soft bottom

Description of special resources; important ecological features; reason for establishing a protected area: The Marine Reserve of Miramare - managed by the Italian World Wildlife Fund on behalf of Italy's Ministry of the Environment and Protection of the Territory - focuses on issues related to education activities, scientific research, related to the reproductive biology of fish species and water quality.

Location Information

Geographic coordinates (lat/long): 45degree42'N, 13degree42'E

Nearest major city: Trieste, Italy

Region: Mediterranean Sea
Goals and Accomplishments

Goals and objectives of MPA:

Goal: The aim of the reserve is to maintain ecological and biological diversity in the marine environment surrounding Trieste through scientific research and monitoring activities. The reserve also supervises educational programs designed for students and the public.

Site accomplishments to date:

  • 200 sea watching visitors
  • 900 divers
  • 1000 number of different species in the data base
  • 7000 students
  • 30000 visitors of the visiting center
  • 13 full time employers
Site Management

Management objective: No-take

Type of management structure: Co-management

Challenges of site management:

  • To increase the protected area in collaboration with the local and traditional fishermen.
miramare fish
Photo credit: Miramare Marine Reserve (Trieste, Italy)
Does a management plan exist? Yes, but not a conventional plan. It does have yearly reports from 1986 - present.

Summary of main aspects of management plan:

  • to maintain ecological and biological diversity of the Northern Adriatic sea (priority 1)
  • to do scientific research in conservation biology of the Northern Adriatic sea (priority 1
  • to spread knowledge with environmental education (priority 1)

Main stakeholders involved:

  • Municipal administrators and managers
  • NGOs
  • Universities and academia
  • Students
  • Fishermen
  • Community
  • Tourism industry

Other Site Evaluations and Research

Description of any other site evaluations to date: None exist.

Listing of current/recent research activities: Yes, see Web site. Note: English version is under construction

Contact Information and Web Links

Main Contact Information:

Marco Costantini
Staff Member
WWF Reserva Naturale Marina di Miramare
Viale Miramare 349 1-34014
Trieste, Italy
Ph: +3904 022 4147
Fax: +3904 022 4636
e-mail: costant@ictp.trieste.it

Other Contact(s) Information:

Maurizio Spoto
Director MPA

Carlo Franzosini
Director shoreline scarl

Link to pilot site Web page or related Web sites:


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