Santuario Pelagos (area marina)

Pelagos is an international marine sanctuary shared by France, Italy and Monaco. Rapallo’s coastal waters form part of this Mediterranean setting, where the protection of whales, dolphins and their habitats connects the seaside town with a much wider marine landscape.

Why it matters

The sanctuary brings three countries together around marine conservation. Its work addresses threats including pollution, underwater noise, accidental capture and collisions with vessels, recognising that marine mammals move across national boundaries.

What to notice

Eight whale and dolphin species occur regularly in the sanctuary, including fin whales, sperm whales, striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Their presence gives the sea beyond the Riviera another dimension, although the sanctuary’s designation does not guarantee a wildlife sighting.

Context and history

The founding agreement was signed in Rome on 25 November 1999 and entered into force on 21 February 2002. Rapallo approved its participation in the Pelagos Partnership Charter on 24 July 2015, working with the Portofino marine protected area. That local commitment links the town’s coastal environment with the sanctuary’s international conservation aims.