Les marine caves constitute very fragile habitats, more or less exposed to light, which shelter many heritage and sensitive species, such as red coral (Corallium rubrum). These various communities form true ecosystems of great beauty. Sometimes, the conditions of certain caves lead to encounters with species often found at much greater depths. Like all ecosystems, marine caves can be subject to numerous pressures.
Le Cap Corse and Agriate Marine Natural Park / Parcu naturale marinu di u Capicorsu è di l’Agriate (PNMCCA) has within its territory several submerged marine caves. It is important for this protected marine area to better understand marine species and habitats in order to better protect them. This is why the Park has aimed to conduct a study to create a more complete inventory of marine caves and an ecological analysis. The results of this study will be able to report on the state of the caves and the effects of human pressures and climate change on them.
For this, the study office Créocéan will leverage its experience and intervene in this study.
Historically, on behalf of the DREAL of Corsica, Créocéan inventoried in 2009 the island’s submerged and semi-submerged caves. This study identified 176 caves along the Corsican coast. In 2010 and 2011, Créocéan conducted inspections of mediolittoral, semi-dark, and dark caves in Natura 2000 sites on the island. These surveys were carried out with the help of divers and ROVs for the deepest caves, allowing them to be well characterized and to propose appropriate management measures. In total, 22 caves were located, described, and analyzed.
Following these studies, Créocéan began the inventory for the PNMCCA and will carry out the sea missions in collaboration with Seatools, by spring 2021. This operation will specifically continue the objectives of the Park’s management plan and participating organizations, namely theFrench Biodiversity Office (OFB) and theCorsica Office of the Environment (OEC).