Ustica Island
Italy · SicilyA volcanic island with basalt rock bottoms, arches and caves, protected for almost forty years. Zone A, the fully protected core, extends some 60 ha from the headland north of Punta Spalmatore to Punta Megna.
Depth
3–20 m
Recommended level
Open Water
Average visibility
25 m
Water temperature
22 °C
Current
Weak
Access
Shore
Best time
May-October
Recommended certification
Open Water
Approx. price
40 USD / dive
A marine protected area on the volcanic island of Ustica, with underwater lava formations and very clear water.
Protection status
Área Marina Protegida Isola di Ustica, creada por decreto de 12 de noviembre de 1986: la primera reserva marina de Italia. 15.951 ha y unos 15 km de costa, dividida en zona A de reserva integral, zona B general y zona C parcial. Es además Zona Especial de Conservación (ZSC) y Lugar de Importancia Comunitaria
Did you know
La reserva no se impuso desde fuera: fueron los propios pescadores de la isla quienes pidieron su creación, y así nació la primera área marina protegida de Italia.
Sources consulted: Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica (MASE), listado oficial de aree marine protette; it.wikipedia; leterrazzeustica.it
Location
See on the interactive map104 species documented in Ustica Island
EndangeredCoral rojo
Corallium rubrum
Morena mediterránea
Muraena helena
Critically EndangeredNacra
Pinna nobilis
Not EvaluatedPulpo común
Octopus vulgaris
Sargo
Diplodus sargus
Aguja de mar
Syngnathus acus
Alitán
Scyliorhinus stellaris
Almeja fina
Ruditapes decussatus
Critically EndangeredAnguila europea
Anguilla anguilla
Anjova
Pomatomus saltatrix
Araña de mar de nariz larga
Macropodia rostrata
Arca de Noé
Arca noae
Ecosystem
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