Area marina protetta Isole Pelagie, Marine protected area in Pelagie Islands, Italy.
Area marina protetta Isole Pelagie is a marine protected area surrounding three Mediterranean islands - Lampedusa, Linosa, and Lampione - safeguarding over 4,000 hectares of sea. The reserve features clear waters with rocky formations, underwater caves, and sandy zones that support varied marine life.
The Italian state established this marine protected area in 2002 to safeguard the diverse marine ecosystems and geological structures between Malta and Tunisia. The protection status emerged from the need to preserve the singular habitats of this island group for future generations.
Local communities here practice traditional fishing methods while supporting conservation work through educational activities and responsible tourism within the protected waters.
Visitors can reach the islands and conduct snorkeling and diving tours from designated access points to explore marine species and underwater cave landscapes. The best time to visit is between May and September, when weather is more stable and conditions are more enjoyable.
The reserve is home to Italy's only population of Stapelia europea, an African succulent plant that grows on island rocks in this remote location. This unexpected tropical species thrives here because of the unique climate and soil conditions found nowhere else in the country.
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