[CINC] Ustica MPA: The jewel of the Italian marine reserve network.

[Paul Jr. Petrich]

CINC Volunteers,
 I left the Ustica marine reserve 3 days ago. It is advertised by the Italian MPA literature as being the jewel of their network. Every year, through parts of June and July, it is showcased internationally when a scuba diving activities exhibition brings to Ustica famous names in underwater photography, marine sciences, and archeology. I must agree with the high aculades. The pristine sea, together with the backdrop of colorful undersea flora and endless sea grottos, left me wanting to see more. But, honestly, it continued to leave me estounded at the lack of marine mammals that now exist in this beautiful habitat!
 Ustica was established as one of Italy's first marine reserves in 1986, with the objective to preserve a very unique and uncontaminated variety of underwater flora and fauna. It is a actually the summit of an inactive underwater volcano. As such, it has an amazing array of inlets and undersea caves. Also, due to its particular geological history, the surrounding sea is not invaded by murky sand and mud. It only lies 50 miles north of Palermo, Sicily, but no urban polution is effident ( if drifting plastic items can be declassified as polution ). Since 1997, except for the small town the size of Avalon, on Catalina, the terrestial part of Ustica has been made a natural preserve as well.
  Ustica's marine park extends 3 miles out from its coastline, and is divided into the three zones of varying degrees of protection: Zone A given to the most complete protection; Zone B offering protection that does allow some consumtive activity; and Zone C, which allows most every type of fishing except that done by divers and trawlers. The important fact is that these zones surround the whole island, with zones A and B extending to over 60 percent of the coast on the opposit side from the town. Ustica is small, as the entire coastline measures just over 7.5 miles, not counting the many sea cave indentations. 
  Without faking an expertice in undersea flora, I wil plagerize from what I read: "The stones on the seabed are adorned with marvelous red Gorgonias and in the deep you can find Geradia Savaglia, or so-called false black coral. On the seabed it is also usual to find wide praeies of Posidonia Oceanica."
 Species of smaller fish now abound. I could recognize anchovies and sardines. However, the larger palagic fish, for which these waters are historically famous, I did not see. Indeed, local fishermen do not catch tuna and swordfish in large numbers any more. Seagulls are plentiful, and indeed, may nest on this island.
  Ustica has been inhabited since the third century B.C. It has always acted as a trading post for a seemingly endless string of civilizations. The MPA and Natural Reserve protect archeological remains going back to the Pheonicians, Greeks, and Romans, just to list the first few. Guided archeological dives are offered by master divers who are expert in the field. Classes are given under the sea here, too.
 So, with Ustica, my undersea adventure ends in Sicily. Now it is off to Dalmatia. 
SADLY, IT REMAINS, THE ONLY MARINE MAMMAL I HAVE SEEN IN SICILY WAS A LONE DOLPHIN 4 MONTHS AGO! It was spotted from a beachside cafe a quarter mile off shore in the Isola Ceclope Reserve near Aci Trezza.  Everyone at the cafe stood up to witness thewonderful spectical!   Paul Petrich
 

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