The Strait of Bonifacio enhances its international dimension Part 1: the creation of the International Marine Park

Published the 31 January 2025

7 December 2024 was marked by the creation of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation – Parco Marino Internazionale delle Bocche di Bonifacio (EGTC-PMIBB) which represents a major change for the Strait of Bonifacio, 20 years after passing the Franco-Italian protocol defining the implementation method for this large project. This decision increases the international dimension of this strait which was one of the founding members of the European Straits Initiative (ESI) in 2010 as well as the INTERREG IV C NOSTRA (Network Of STRAits) project in 2012.

For this occasion, the Presidents of the Corsican Environment Office* and the National Park of Maddalena Arcipelago signed the European convention and the statutes of incorporation of the EGTC-PMIBB, which will be in charge of promoting the protection, the management and the optimal joint use of natural and cultural resources in the Strait of Bonifacio, in order to implement a common strategy in terms of the sustainable development of this area of cooperation.

This evolution is unique in the sense that it is the 1st EGTC constituted to implement European Union environmental policies at the transborder level with implications on the international law of the sea. This unique legal context could thus inspire others to preserve and develop their transborder territories, the EGTC being a European legal tool created as a response to the difficulties encountered in the area of transborder cooperation on a transnational and inter-regional basis, in order to facilitate and promote cooperation between members of the European Union. It is thus a perfectly suited tool for one of the European Straits Initiative’s two objectives, that of favouring cooperation and projects within straits.

The Strait of Bonifacio is now seen as a “morpho-functional unit” liable to help understand certain processes and define more appropriate management in order to face problems on a large scale, which liberates State borders.

At the heart of its mission, the EGTC-PMIBB will thus be able to aid the emergence of organized solutions for management problems which are difficult to solve within each marine protected area, like for example those related to tourist flows (too many visitors, impact of recreational craft anchors, recreational sea fishing…).

Also, the strengthening of international cooperation will provide tools that are truly up to the challenge of problems related to scientific knowledge, like for example those related to fish (fish stock, recruitment of juveniles, circulation of larvae).

Finally, the EGTC-PMIBB will also be geared towards the international recognition of the Strait of Bonifacio’s environmental particularities, especially in the context of a request for the Strait of Bonifacio to be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and the follow-up of the reinforcement of marine security in this international strait, in close collaboration with the competent national and international authorities. A crucial stage has been reached with the designation by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) of this strait located in a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) which should be formally passed during the year 2013 (an article will then be dedicated to this event on the ESI’s website).

Also note that the Collectivité Territoriale de Corse [Corsica local authority] (CTC) is committed alongside Marseille Municipality and the Marine Protected Areas Agency, under the auspices of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to organising the third International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 3) planned for October 2013. Appointed by the CTC, the Corsican Environment Office has been committed to organising this major event which will gather world players from marine protected areas between 20 and 26 October. Beyond the scientific interest put forward during the first two editions (2005 in Australia and 2009 in the United States), IMPAC 3 has the ambition of putting forward the cultural dimension of man’s relationship with the sea by gathering together the social and economic groups involved. The Congress will also offer the opportunity for a high-level political meeting on 26 October 2024 at the Palais des Congrès in Ajaccio. The European Straits Initiative is already planning to actively take part in this event.

* Manager of the Tre Padule de Suartone Nature Reserve, the Iles Cerbicale Nature Reserve, the Strait of Bonifacio Nature Reserve and the land owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral (Coastal protection agency) which borders it.