Govt marks out Rock’s first marine conservation zone

The Department of the Environment and Climate Change has recently used specially designed buoys to demarcate Gibraltar’s first no fishing and anchoring zone in the area known as Seven Sisters.

The initiative forms part of the wider marine conservation programme being carried out by the Department following publication of the Marine Protection Regulations in 2014.

Seven Sisters is found within the Rosia Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) which is renowned for its marine diversity.

EU protected reefs and species such as the Mediterranean ribbed limpet and the large noble pen shell, as well as a vast array of corals, gorgonians, seabirds and other locally protected marine species, are all found in this unique marine site.

This MCZ also hosts several artificial reefs that were laid during the 1980’s by GONHS Marine Section.

The Department of the Environment and Climate Change will be monitoring the ecology of this recently protected zone and its positive contribution towards the surrounding environment.