Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary
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The International Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary is a Marine Protected Area aimed at the protection of marine mammals (cetaceans). It covers an area of approximately 84,000 km², comprising the waters between Toulon (French Riviera), Capo Falcone (western Sardinia), Capo Ferro (eastern Sardinia) and Fosso Chiarone (Tuscany).
The sanctuary is located in the Ligurian basin of the Mediterranean Sea. In this area all the cetaceans occurring in the Mediterranean can be found at regular intervals. It is believed to be the main feeding ground for Fin Whales in the Mediterranean basin.
The sanctuary was established on the 25th of November 1999. Being the first (and currently the only) international / High Seas MPA in the world it covers areas of the Mediterranean seas of France, Italy, and the Principality of Monaco.
To underline the importance of the sanctuary it has been added to the Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) list of the 1999 Barcelona Convention.
