When was the Pelagos Sanctuary established?

The Pelagos Marine Protected Area was established in 1999, following the signing of an international agreement aimed at protecting marine mammals in the Mediterranean.

How large is the Pelagos sanctuary?

The Pelagos Marine Protected Area covers an area of 87,500 km².

The Pelagos Sanctuary

Q: What is the aim of the Pelagos Sanctuary?

It was established to protect marine mammals from all forms of disturbance caused by human activities.

The Pelagos Sanctuary is a vast marine area dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals and their habitats in the Mediterranean Sea. It exemplifies exemplary cooperation between France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco in the protection of marine biodiversity.

Its objectives

Covering an area of nearly 87,500 km², the Pelagos Sanctuary’s mission is to protect marine mammals from all forms of disturbance: pollution, shipping traffic, noise pollution, inappropriate human activities, and so on…

Coordinated management measures have been put in place by the three signatory states to ensure the sustainable conservation of species and the preservation of their natural habitats.

The City of Sainte-Maxime’s commitment

The Town of Sainte-Maxime attaches particular importance to environmental protection and the sustainable conservation of marine mammals in the Mediterranean.

As a signatory to the Pelagos Partnership Charter since 31 May 2011, the Town is committed to:

Incorporate, into its planning and management decisions, the solutions that have the least impact on marine mammals
Develop educational and awareness-raising initiatives within its area
Disseminate information about the Pelagos Sanctuary
Help minimise activities likely to impact these species
Pass on information in the event of cetaceans or other marine species stranding within its territory

Find out more

The main species found in the sanctuary

Blue and white dolphin

Bottlenose Dolphin

Common dolphin

Ziphius

Monk seal

Black-headed whale

Sperm whale

Risso’s dolphin

Fin whale

Where is the Pelagos Sanctuary?

The Sanctuary covers an area of 87,500 km² and stretches along 2,022 km of coastline. The area comprises the coastal and pelagic waters of part of the Gulf of Lion, the whole of the Ligurian Sea, part of the northern Tyrrhenian Sea and the Sardinian Sea. It comprises two main islands (Corsica and northern Sardinia) and several smaller French and Italian islands.

Its coastal areas are densely populated and the environmental pressure resulting from human activities is particularly high depending on the season.

The Sanctuary encompasses 241 coastal municipalities: 129 in France, 111 in Italy and one in Monaco.

Frequently asked questions