Making waves in the Mediterranean
© Greenpeace/Parsons
Nathalie usually works in our video department at Greenpeace International in Amsterdam, but this week she's been an ocean defender on board the Rainbow Warrior in the Med. Here's the latest from her as the expedition comes to an end
The Sicilian Channel is that part of the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Tunisia; for me - experiencing my first ever voyage on a ship, it’s just the middle of the sea. In this respect, I feel like a migratory fish - free in the middle of the waters without boundaries.
This area is famous for the richness of its biodiversity and it is important as a breeding ground for the threatened bluefin tuna. This is why we are advocating for its protection as a marine reserve.
At first glance, the beautiful video footage shot by our dive team leads me to believe that the underwater world beneath is healthy. The marine life appears lively and colorful…but scientists have noticed that some fish are dramatically missing.
Fabio, is a marine biologist at CNR (Centro Nazionale di Ricerca) in Italy. When he knew that our ship was coming to patrol this area, he immediately volunteered to join the team and support our campaign with his expertise.
Fabio tells me that he has found fully in tact sea bottom areas here that are very different to the barren sea floor smothered with invasive algae around where fishing trawlers regularly make a clear cut of any form of life. This is a good sign that some parts of this area are still thriving. But the lack of top predators is really worrying and the extensive fishing here is of course the main cause.
We have assisted two illegal drift net confiscations by the Italian coastguards since we arrived in these waters, but the presence of these pirate fishermen prove that Mediterranean countries do not sufficiently protect biodiversity here.
On paper, Mediterranean countries have already committed to establish a network of marine reserves in the Mediterranean Sea. But actually, they have only done 1% of the job. Yes! only 1% of this sea is under real protection. According to many scientists that should be 40 % if we want to protect marine species and their habitats effectively - reversing fisheries decline and restore our sea for future generations.
We have presented a proposal for a network of Marine Reserves in the Mediterranean international waters and we are currently focusing on collecting further scientific data to support specific areas within our proposal. This includes the Sicilian channel, which hosts important sea features (from deep trenches to shallow banks), and the Balearic spawning grounds of the threatened bluefin tuna.
As we sail away from the Channel, leaving its peaceful beauty we think of what lay beneath the waves and wonder: what will it take for our Mediterranean governments to do what is necessary and protect these unique areas from human greed and destruction?
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