French marine parks play an essential role in the sustainable management of our seas and coasts. From Brittany to Martinique, passing through Corsica and Mayotte, park managers are committed daily to reconciling discovery and respect for these exceptional marine environments.
Iroise: Revival of an Ecosystem
« When you dive today in the Iroise Sea (Finistère), there are no more traces of oil pollution, » says Fabien Boileau, deputy director of the Iroise Marine Natural Park, with satisfaction. A stark contrast to the disaster of 1999, when the MV Erika spilled 30,000 tons of fuel oil on the Breton coasts.
- A wake-up call: Fabien Boileau recalls participating in the cleanup operations, surrounded by viscous petroleum. This experience deeply motivated his commitment to the environment.
- Changing mindsets: According to him, the Erika disaster led to a collective awakening. Public policies now incorporate the understanding that the marine environment is not a trash bin, even though fighting diffuse pollution remains a challenge.
- A vast territory to protect: Fabien Boileau’s team oversees 3,500 km2, from Ile de Sein to Ouessant. Created in 2007, the Iroise Marine Natural Park was the first of its kind. Eight others followed, managed by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).
The missions of marine parks are vast: scientific research, ecosystem protection, and sustainable development of human activities, in consultation with users.
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