Italy Maps Coastline to Restore Vanishing Seagrass Meadows

Marine life is making a remarkable comeback in the protected waters off Naples, where decades of conservation efforts have allowed vital seagrass meadows to flourish once again. Schools of bream and wrasses now populate the Gaiola Submerged Park Marine Protected Area, alongside thriving communities of crustaceans and mollusks that had disappeared for generations. Local fishermen have witnessed this transformation firsthand, reporting abundant marine life returning to waters that were once barren.

The success story contrasts sharply with conditions elsewhere along Italy’s coast. In Sardinia’s La Maddalena archipelago, tour operators describe increasingly murky waters and the troubling disappearance of seahorses and other iconic species. The culprit behind this decline is damage to Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, caused primarily by uncontrolled boat anchoring that destroys these underwater meadows faster than they can recover.

Scientists recognize seagrass meadows as critical marine ecosystems that support biodiversity, protect coastlines, and store carbon. However, restoring these underwater gardens requires patience and precision. Marina Pulcini, a marine biologist with Italy’s Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, explains that the native seagrass grows extremely slowly, meaning it can take a decade to reestablish dense, healthy meadows.

Despite the challenges, restoration efforts show promise. New plantings in damaged areas are achieving survival rates above 90%, and researchers have implemented anchoring bans to prevent further destruction. Italy’s comprehensive coastal mapping project aims to guide these recovery efforts nationwide, offering hope that more marine sanctuaries like Naples’ success story can be created along the country’s extensive Mediterranean coastline.