Page 89 - Livre_MOW2024_EN

The CNDP’s website features an interactive tool called
‘Faites l’expérience’ (‘try it yourself’) that contains DID
YOU
detailed information and expert views to help people
form their own opinions (in French). KNOW?

DEBATING THE SEA: THE SESSIONS
INITIAL PUBLIC FEEDBACK
The initial results of the national debate on offshore SESSION 1: BALANCING HUMAN ACTIVITIES
wind farms along the French coast were revealed WITH CONSERVATION
at the ‘La mer en débat’ (Debating the sea) event in
Monaco to an international audience: The positive impact of marine protected areas (MPAs)
Jacqueline Gautier-Debernardi, Chair of the Monegasque Association for
• Public turnout was high in the 4 maritime the Protection of Nature (AMPN), created almost 50 years ago, described
regions consulted, in particular the French the process of establishing Monaco’s two pioneering urban MPAs and its
Mediterranean, which has 2,200 km of coastline; Marine Education Area. She explained how the three reserves are jointly
managed with a range of institutional, scientific and socio-economic
• There is strong public support for partners. Reporting on the AMPN’s monitoring of fish populations,
government plans to place 10% of European Posidonia meadows, diverse habitats and human activities within the
waters under high protection by 2030; reserves, Gautier-Debernardi highlighted the importance of public
education and citizen science.
• Increased pressure from human activities
has been widely observed and is impacting Curbing coastal development
marine life. Yet in some places nature is Frédérique Lorenzi from Menton-based organisation ASPONA described
resilient, with the sea recovering thanks to the increasingly artificial nature of the coastline along the French coastal
protection measures and local conservation town (66%) and the impact of human activities since the 1960s, which the
efforts. Areas of uncertainty remain, however, like French Coastal Law of 1986 and regional planning regulations have barely
the complex task of restoring hake populations dampened. Local conservation efforts have led to several successful
and the declining growth of sardines; initiatives, such as Cap Martin being classified a Natura 2000 site and
the protection of a 700-meter stretch of shoreline without seawalls. The
• Opinions are split on the offshore wind farms current consequences of the redevelopment of Les Sablettes beaches in
planned predominantly along the western coast Menton (eutrophication of recreational water, sediment dredging, beach
of France: while some see them as damaging nourishment, reinforcement of seawalls, etc) have shown the high cost
to the environment, others believe they can of coastal artificialisation. The possibility of introducing a biological rest
benefit marine life and be used for aquaculture or period was also raised.
designated areas of high protection;

• There is opposition to offshore fishing
regulations within certain segments of the
population, who believe the industry has already
been the target of restrictions. In contrast, inshore
fishing, when combined with marine protected
areas, is presented as a rather good example of
sustainable management practices;

• Retreating coastlines are perceived as the
number one threat by French people;

• Land-sea interactions, which are fundamental
to marine conservation, are currently resulting in
visible and invisible pollution at sea;

• Some marine protected areas are proving
effective, but some require full protection.
Beach refill © Frédérique Lorenzi