Area Marina Protetta delle Isole Egadi

The Area Marina Protetta delle Isole Egadi protects 53,992 hectares of sea around Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo, including Formica and Maraone. Its waters encompass extensive Posidonia meadows, marine wildlife and archaeological remains from centuries of Mediterranean navigation.

Why it matters

Established in 1991, the Egadi Islands marine protected area is one of the largest in Italy. Its 53,992-hectare perimeter includes nearly 74 kilometres of coastline. The managing authority identifies 12,536 hectares of Posidonia oceanica meadows within the reserve and records the presence of loggerhead turtles, cetaceans, monk seals and storm petrels.

What to notice

The protected area includes the waters around Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo, as well as Formica and Maraone. Its varied marine habitats range from Posidonia meadows to rocky coasts and open water. The seabed also preserves archaeological traces: near Cala Minnola on Levanzo, a Roman merchant vessel from the first century BC rests at about 27 metres.

Context and history

The reserve was instituted by decree on 27 December 1991 and is listed in Italy’s official inventory of protected areas as EUAP0172. The Comune di Favignana has managed it since 2001. Its regulations, approved in 2010, provide a framework for protecting marine habitats while allowing regulated human use. The seabed is also designated as the Natura 2000 site Fondali dell’Arcipelago delle Isole Egadi.