Area marina protetta Regno di Nettuno, Marine protected area in Gulf of Naples, Italy
The Regno di Nettuno is a marine protected area surrounding the islands of Ischia, Procida, and Vivara in the Gulf of Naples, covering about 11,000 hectares of sea surface. The zone is divided into sections with different levels of protection, ranging from strict reserves where no activity is allowed to areas where regulated boating and fishing can continue.
The reserve was first recognized as a potential protected zone in 1991 and officially established in 2007 to safeguard the marine environment around the islands. Its creation responded to growing pressure from tourism and fishing on the fragile ecosystem.
Local fishing communities and dive schools share knowledge about the marine environment, teaching visitors how the underwater world sustains the islands' way of life. This hands-on engagement helps people connect with the need to protect what makes this area special.
Visitors explore this area best by boat or as a diver with proper authorization, following routes set up by local operators. Paying attention to zone markers and local guidance helps ensure the protected areas remain undisturbed.
The northern section includes the Cuma Canyon, a deep underwater valley where several species of whales and dolphins inhabit the waters. These marine mammals occasionally pass through and can be spotted by attentive observers during boat excursions.
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