Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls (Cerbère- Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve)

Transcription

1 EVALUATION REPORT Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls (Cerbère- Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve) Location: Cerbère, France; Mediterranean Sea Global Ocean Refuge Status: Nominated (2018), Evaluated (2018) MPAtlas.org ID: 414 Manager(s): Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, General Council of Pyrénées-Orientales (French Department) MAPS 2 1. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 1.1 Biodiversity Value Effective Management & Compliance 8 2. AWARD STATUS CRITERIA 2.1 Regulations Site Design & Management GLORES NETWORK PRIORITIES 3.1 Ecosystem Representation Ecological Spatial Connectivity 18

2 Figure 1: Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve location. The reserve (indicated by the red pin) is located off the coast of France, 35 km south of Perpignan and 2 km north of the border with Spain, in the western Mediterranean Sea (Source: Payrot et al., 2014, Plan de gestion de la RNMCB Section A). Figure 2: Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve (6.5 km2), located in the Mediterranean Sea on the rocky coast of Pyrénées-Orientales. It extends along the coast of the communes of Banyuls-surMer and Cerbère. The green line indicates the partially protected zone boundaries. The red line indicates the integral reserve zone boundaries (0.65 km2). Yellow squares indicate the buoys marking the boundaries of each zone (Source: Payrot et al., 2014, Plan de gestion de la RNMCB Section A). -2-

3 Figure 3: Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve habitat distribution. The red line indicates the integral reserve zone, the green line indicates the partially protected zone. Purple areas indicate coralligenous habitats, red areas indicate rocky reefs, yellow areas indicate soft bottoms (sand), and green areas indicate sea grass meadows (Source: Payrot et al., 2014, Plan de gestion de la RNMCB Section A)

4 Figure 4: Habitat and bathymetry map of the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve. Scale bars = 5 km. Depth contours in meters (Source: Goñi et al., 2008)

5 1.1 Eligibility Criteria: Biodiversity Value (must satisfy at least one) a. Includes area of high species richness or endemism within the context of the biogeographic region. The Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, or Natural Marine Reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls (RNMCB), is located in the Gulf of Lion in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of France and near the Spain border (Figure 2). 1 The diversity of habitats concentrated in the RNMCB promotes exceptional biodiversity in this marine reserve. 2 There are 1,239 animal species and 497 plant species found within the RNMCB. Among the flora, algae are the most abundant. Among fauna, the best represented groups are the arthropods (177 spp.), annelids (314 spp.), molluscs (162 spp.), sponges (147 spp.) and fishes (126 spp.). 3 The RNMCB contains seagrass meadows, rocky reefs hosting coralligenous formations, underwater cavities, and soft sediment areas (Figures 3 and 4). The RNMCB protects seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica, an endemic species of the Mediterranean that forms a key ecosystem as they act as nursery and reproductive habitat for many species such as the endemic noble pen shell (Pina nobilis), seahorses, labrids, octopus and sea breams. 4 The rocky reefs are home to many species of molluscs, crustaceans, and fish such as labrids, sparidae, including the brown meagre (Sciaena umbra) and the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). Coralligenous formations provide habitat for more than 500 invertebrate species such as the red coral (Corallium rubrum), white gorgonian (Eunicella singularis), violescent sea-whip (Paramuricea clavate), sea slug (Peltodoris atromaculata), sea urchins and sponges. Underwater cavities are home for species such as the forkbeard (Phycis phycis), spiny lobsters, moray eels, the red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa), and especially for groupers, an emblematic species of the RNMCB. 5 This area is particularly important because it is home to the endangered and endemic dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). 6 b. Includes demonstrated historic or predicted ecological refugia. c. Includes rare, unique, or representative ecosystems. The reserve contains four habitats that are representative of the Mediterranean, which are: 1 Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 15, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 34, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 46, English translation: p Ferrari, B., et al. (2008) Assessing effects of fishing prohibition on Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows in the Marine Natural Reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls. Aquatic Botany 88: Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 32, English translation: pp Koeck, B., et al. (2014) Diel and seasonal movement pattern of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus inside a marine reserve. Marine Environmental Research 94:

6 Rocky reefs cover 1.35 km 2 or 22% of the RNMCB. 7 A study identified more than 530 species associated with coralligenous formation of the rocky reefs. These include annelids (136 spp.), crustaceans (113 spp.), molluscs (69 spp.), bryozoans (67 spp.), cnidarians (43 spp.), sponges (36 spp.), echinoderms (36 spp.) and tunicates (26 spp.). 8 Another study identified 90 animal species associated with Lithophyllum fringes of the rocky reefs. These species include invertebrates such as annelids (20 spp.), bryozoans (2 spp.), cnidarians (9 spp.), crustaceans (37 spp.), echinoderms (3 spp.), sponges (3 spp.) and molluscs (16 spp.). 9 Underwater cavities house characteristic species such as Apogon imberbis and Parazoanthus axinellae. 10 Seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica cover 0.23 km 2 or 3.8% of the RNMCB and comprising 20 to 25% of the species found in the Mediterranean Sea. 11 In 2001, 62 species were counted in the seagrass meadows. These include sponges (12 spp.), cnidarians (7 spp.), bryozoans (19 spp.), annelids (2 spp.), molluscs (13 spp.) including the protected species Pinna nobilis, crustaceans (6 spp.) and tunicates (3 spp.). The management plan for RNMCB indicates that this species inventory is incomplete because the same study identified 213 species within Banyuls seagrass meadows. 12 Soft sediment, covers 4.59 km 2 or 75% of the RNMCB and housing diverse benthic community. 13 In the soft sediment of the RNMCB, 191 species have been identified. These include the annelids polychaetes (106 spp.), molluscs (38 spp.), crustaceans (25 spp.), echinoderms (8 spp.), sipunculides (5 spp.) and cnidarians (3 spp.). 14 d. Includes area important for threatened species (including those identified by the IUCN Red List or national legislation), keystone species, or foundational species. Important areas include migration pathways and breeding, nursery, feeding, or assembly areas. Within the reserve, two habitats are considered conservation priorities with special status because of their significant ecological value: the Posidonia meadows and the rocky reef 7 Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 36, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 48, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 49, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 40, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 40, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 47, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 42, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 50, English translation: p

7 coralligenous formations. 15 The Posidonia meadows are listed in Appendix I of the Flora Fauna Habitat Directive as a habitat priority community, Appendix I of the Bern Convention, Annex I of the Barcelona Convention (endangered or threatened species), the Mediterranean Action Plan and Annex 1 of the Alghero Convention on coastal and marine Mediterranean Biodiversity. The coralligenous formations are protected under European Regulation, specified in Chapter II, article 4-2: "It is forbidden to fish using trawls, dredges, beach seines or nets above coralligenous habitats." 16 RNMCB is home to 53 species (41 animal species and 12 plant species) that have a national, European or international protection status. Of these, 48 species are protected at the international level (Barcelona, Bern, Bonn, Washington, Alghero, Action Plan for the Mediterranean), 15 species are listed in the Fauna-Flora Habitats Directive, 15 species are protected under national legislation, 4 species are protected under local legislation, and 19 species are listed under IUCN National Red lists of threatened species. 17 The most commonly sighted species of concern under the IUCN Red Lists include: the brown meagre (Sciaena umbra, NT/IUCN 18 ), the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus, EN/IUCN 19 ) which is a flagship and umbrella species of the Mediterranean, 20,21 the noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis, VU/IUCN France 22 ), the Mediterranean slipper lobster (Scyllarides latus, EN/IUCN France 23 ), and the green wrasse (Labrus viridis, VU/IUCN 24 ). 25 Other species of concern include the twait shad (Alosa fallax, 15 responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 12, English translation: p responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 12, English translation: p responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp , English translation: pp Chao, L. (2015) Sciaena umbra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved in June 2018 from 19 Cornish, A. and Harmelin-Vivien, M. (2015) Epinephelus marginatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved in June 2018 from 20 responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 19, English translation: p Koeck, B., et al. (2014) Diel and seasonal movement pattern of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus inside a marine reserve. Marine Environmental Research 94: responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp (table not translated into English). 23 responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp (table not translated into English). 24 Pollard, D. and Choat, J.H (2010) Labrus Viridis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved in June 2018 from 25 responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 14, English translation: p

8 LC/IUCN 26 ), the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta, VU/IUCN 27 ), and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea, VU/IUCN 28 ). Table 4 of section B of the management plan describes each listed species and its international or national legal status (please refer to the scientific names in the French version of the management plan). 29 This table was updated when the management plan was drafted in According to the managers, there is no significant listing changes since then. These documents and tables will be updated in 2020 in the new management plan. 30 e. Qualifying Designations Natura 2000 SPA site. In 2008, the Natura 2000 Cap Béar Cap Cerbère site was designated a special bird protected area. 31 The target species include auks, the black scoter or common scoter (Melanitta nigra), the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), the razorbill (Alca torda) and the common loon (Gavia immer). The site is an exclusively marine site and encompasses the entirety of the RNMCB (which only represents 2% of the entire Natura 2000 SPA site.) 32 Natura 2000 SAC site. The RNMCB is integrated into the Natura 2000 Posidonies de la côte des Albères ( The Albères coast s Posidonia ) site. This site is exclusively marine and contains a large area of Posidonia meadows. This site covers an area of km 2 and encompasses the whole RNMCB Eligibility Criteria: Effective Management & Compliance (must satisfy all) a. The MPA is designated by a legitimate and functional government representing the interests of civil society, and the MPA s implementation meets the IUCN standards for recognizing indigenous peoples rights. Add Additional Consideration 26 Freyhof, J. and Kottelat, M (2008) Alosa fallax. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved in June 2018 from 27 Casale, P. and Tucker, A.D. (2017) Caretta Caretta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved in July 2018 from 28 Wallace, B.P., et al. (2013) Dermochelys Coriacea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved in July 2018 from 29 responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp (table not translated into English). 30 Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, personal communication, 18 June Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 21, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 21, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 21, English translation: p

9 The RNMCB became a marine protected area because unregulated fishing and tourism had negative impacts on the Vermilion coast. 34 The mayor of Cerbère asked the Arago Laboratory (a marine biology research laboratory and public aquarium) to create a scientific report justifying the creation of the RNMCB. In 1971, the report was produced highlighting the need to protect the area, particularly the threatened species found within the area. In February 1974, the RNMCB was created through an interdepartmental order signed by the Ministre des Transports et de la Mer (Minister of Transportation and of the Sea) as well as the Premier Ministre de l Environnement français (First Minister of the Environment). The order was amended in 1979, and a 0.65 km 2 integral reserve zone was instituted within the RNMCB. 35 The highlights and timetable of the events that went into creating the MPA can be found in table 1 of the management plan. 36 France is a democratic republic and a European Union member state. b. The MPA is designated to enhance the biodiversity value of the site. The main objective of the Pyrénées-Orientales General Council, the regional government responsible for managing the RNMCB, is to protect the seabed and marine species and to sustainably manage human activities and development. 37 The RNMCB aims to protect areas that are valuable for their biodiversity, geology or other natural features as well as fragile, rare and threatened ecosystems. 38 The RNMCB guarantees the protection and diversity of animal and plant species as well as their habitats. c. The MPA designation is permanent or is effective for at least 25 years. The RNMCB is permanent. 39 d. A management plan, updated within the last 15 years, sets measurable conservation targets, identifies and prioritizes significant threats to biodiversity and addresses those threats with planned activities. The resources and capacity to implement the management plan are identified and secured. The management plan identifies objectives, threats to the RNMCB, conservation targets, indicators, metrics and management activities. This information is summarized in tables on pages 24 to 40 in section C of the management plan (we summarize some of this information below; if you need to refer to an English translation 34 Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 14, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 15, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 14, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 14, English translation: p Wells, S., et al. (2016) Using the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas to promote conservation impact through marine protected areas. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 26: Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 14, English translation: p

10 of the tables, please contact the GLORES team). 40 Table 7 and 8 of section B of the management plan indicate priority species for the RNMCB, their legal status, their conservation status both in the Mediterranean Sea and in the RNMCB, and threats they are facing. 41 Threats to the reserve include environmental factors (temperature change, light, turbidity, hydrodynamics and invasive species), anthropogenic pressures (anchoring, fishing, diving, and nautical activities), and water quality degradation (run-off from wineries and water treatment facilities). 42 Table 15 and 16 of section B of the management plan indicate the main threats to the RNMCB as well as the activities implemented to address those threats. 43 The objectives and targets of the RNMCB are: Conservation of natural heritage: Primary objectives: o Maintain Posidonia meadows habitats and ensure their ecological functional role o Maintain coralligenous habitats and ensure their ecological functional role o Maintain rocky reefs habitats and ensure their ecological functional role o Maintain fish populations in the RNMCB Secondary objectives: o Conserve sensitive species in subsurface and rocky bottom areas of the RNMCB o Maintain benthic community of the soft bottoms and ensure their ecological functional role Knowledge of natural heritage and of environmental changes: o Understand and anticipate environmental changes that affect habitats and species of the RNMCB o Study and monitor invasive species in the RNMCB o Study and monitor spatial and temporal movements of biodiversity in the RNMCB Knowledge of different uses of the RNMBC and monitoring of the site: o Ensure visitation rates of the RNMCB align with the conservation objectives of the site Public outreach and education: 40 Payrot, J., et al. (2013) Plan de gestion de la RNMCB section C : Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle : objectifs à long terme, objectifs du plan, indicateurs, opérations de gestion. Conseil Général des Pyrénées- Orientales, French: pp responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp , English translation: pp responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp , English translation: pp responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp , English translation: pp

11 o Welcome public on-site and raise awareness on environmental respect The activities implemented to successfully conserve the RNMCB and fulfill these objectives can be found in section C of the management plan. 44 e. Regular monitoring of habitat and/or wildlife is conducted to measure progress with respect to conservation targets. A report of monitoring data is required at each GLORES audit after designation. Any negative biological trends identified through monitoring must be addressed in management plans. Progress toward identifying threats and addressing them must be documented. Scientific monitoring is conducted regularly within the RNMCB. According to the managers, a dozen monitoring expeditions are carried out each year, either internally, externally, or in partnership with research laboratories. Monitoring schedules are set depending on the conservation targets. The largest studies on species such as groupers, brown meagre, seagrass meadow, red coral or fish are carried out every 3 years. Monitoring of water temperature and sea fan species are conducted every year. 45 Additionally, the managers carry out monitoring of the different human-uses of the RNMCB. Monitoring of recreational fishing in the RNMCB was conducted 3 years ago, and will be performed again in Monitoring the recreational fishing involves meeting the fishermen and recording their catches by sector. Given the increase in scubadiving activity in the RNMCB, research on the potential impacts of diving was conducted in Studies on the impacts of diving will continue to be conducted internally, with the use of video monitoring. Monitoring of commercial fishing was carried out between 2015 and 2016, and will be conducted again in Studies on visitation rates, including snorkeling, kayaking and boating are carried out every year during the RNMCB s regular field trips. These diverse studies allow managers to take all the necessary measures to maintain the environment in a good state of conservation. Past studies on commercial and recreational fishing as well as scuba diving allowed the managers to update regulations and to supervise these activities more effectively. 46 In order to monitor the MPA s progress with respect to conservation targets, the RNMCB collects several metrics related to each target (e.g., species richness, individual size, density or height) and assesses habitats and species with habitat cartographies, long-term data related to both habitats and species, and human-use data (please refer to the French version of the tables that provide specific metrics and associated targets) Payrot, J., et al. (2013) Plan de gestion de la RNMCB section C : Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle : objectifs à long terme, objectifs du plan, indicateurs, opérations de gestion. Conseil Général des Pyrénées- Orientales, French: pp. 5-19, English translation: pp Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, personal communication, 18 June Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, personal communication, 21 June Payrot, J., et al. (2013) Plan de gestion de la RNMCB section C : Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle : objectifs à long terme, objectifs du plan, indicateurs, opérations de gestion. Conseil Général des Pyrénées- Orientales, French: pp (tables not translated into English)

12 The RNMCB also monitors habitats and wildlife through scientific studies divided between: Studies related to the expansion of knowledge related to natural heritage and environmental factors: o Monitoring the water column temperature (0-40m) o Monitoring of the water quality of the RNMCB o Ecological monitoring of filamentous algae Studies related to improving knowledge about habitats and species of the RNMCB: o Studies on coralligenous conservation based on biological indicators (partnership with IFREMER Institut Français de Recherche pour l'exploitation de la Mer/French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) o Monitoring commercial fishing: characterization of fishing, reserve effect studies, protected species studies o Buffer Project: a research program measuring the role of the partially protected zone in species conservation (partnership with CRIOBE/EPHE/UPVD) o Study of the noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis) (partnership with CRIOBE/EPHE/UPVD) o Thesis on the brown meagre (Sciaena umbra), an emblematic species of the RNMCB (partnership with CREM/UPVD/CNRS) o Actions for conservation of the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) More information about these studies and their results can be found in the 2016 activity report pages During 2018, the following scientific follow-ups are planned: Long-term monitoring of seagrass meadows Long-term monitoring of the conservation status of coralligenous formations Monitoring of the noble pen shell (genetics, mapping and monitoring mortality) Monitoring of filamentous algae Monitoring of water temperature Monitoring of gorgonian populations Monitoring of brown meagre populations Monitoring of the physicochemical parameters of the water column RESERVE BENEFIT project (MPAs capacity to provide marine resources at a large spatial scale for small-scale fisheries) Monitoring of juvenile common breams Characterization of rare earth elements concentration levels in algae Monitoring of chemical contamination within the Reserve 48 Payrot, J., et al. (2016) RNMCB Bilan de gestion année Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp. 7-19, English translation: pp

13 CARE MED Project (determination of current concentrations and major sources and fluxes of chemical contaminants) The RNMCB managers monitor a number of species in the RNMCB. These species are divided between: Species with high regulatory status: Posidonia oceanica, Corallium rubrum, Epinephelus marginatus, Sciaena umbra, and Pinna nobilis. 49 Monitoring data show that after 17 years of protection, the Epinephelus marginatus population has grown in the reserve from 7 to 193 individuals. 50 Species with high aesthetic value: Corallium rubrum, gorgonians, bryozoans, and sponges. Species sensitive to fishing pressure: Palinurus elephas, Paracentrotus lividus, and 22 species of fish found in Table 5 of section B of the management plan (please refer to scientific names on the French version of the table). Species sensitive to anchoring pressure: Posidonia oceanica, and Pinna nobilis. Species indicating water quality changes: Lithophyllum, Cystoseira, benthic macrofauna species indicated in Table 6 of section B of the management plan (please refer to scientific names on the French version of the table), and sponges. Species indicating global climate change: Lithophyllum, Corallium rubrum, Microcosmus sabatieri, gorgonians, sponges and invasive species. Other species: Scyllarides latus, Lithophaga lithophaga, marine mammals and reptiles passing through the RNMCB. 51 f. The MPA garners high regulation compliance rate. Evidence of adequate resources and capacity (including budget and staff) for enforcement is required. Surveillance of the RNMCB occurs both onshore and offshore during the day and at night, with longer duration during the high season. The surveillance mission is one of the priority missions of the RNMCB because it provides an opportunity to gather real-time information about the environment and users while assessing visitation rates and enforcing regulations responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp , English translation: pp Koeck, B., et al. (2014) Diel and seasonal movement pattern of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus inside a marine reserve. Marine Environmental Research 94: responsabilités, et enjeux. Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: pp , English translation: pp Payrot, J., et al. (2016) RNMCB Bilan de gestion année Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 6, English translation: p

14 In 2016, 206 offenses were reported, and 24 proceedings were transmitted to court. 53 In 2015, 257 offenses were reported, and 26 of them were transmitted to court. 54 In 2014, 208 offenses were reported, and 24 were transmitted to court. In 2014, fine stamps were implemented in the RNMCB in order to enforce regulations. 55 The majority of offenses concern speeding, but some are also related to spearfishing and non-compliance with rules regarding recreational fishing (size of the catch, license procuration). The surveillance team has the power to seize equipment for the most serious offenses such as spearfishing or illegal fishing. The RNMCB also has an everyday hotline all year round for enforcement. 56 The budget of the RNMCB for 2018 is 430,000 ; 195,000 are granted by the national government, and 230,000 are granted by the Pyrénées-Orientales Department. However, the Pyrénées-Orientales Department, manager of the MPA, covers certain expenses that are not strictly expenses for the Reserve (various interventions by community agents such as mechanics, plumbers, or electricians). These expenses cost 50,000, which are paid directly by the Department. This budget has been stable for almost 5 years. 57 Regarding the allocation of the budget, 20% or nearly 87,000 are devoted to scientific monitoring. Surveillance of the site represents nearly 72,000 or 17% of the budget. Additionally, 149,000 or 35% of the budget are devoted to the public (underwater trail, information point, education outreach). Finally, 59,000 or 14% of the budget are devoted to activity management, and 62,000 to youth outreach efforts. 58 According to the managers, the RNMCB personnel is composed of four permanent agents and one agent on a fixed-term contract. All agents are professional divers, commissioned and sworn to record infractions. The agents include a conservationist, a scientific manager, a communication agent responsible for relations with the various users (fishermen, divers, boaters), an agent in charge of educational outreach and an agent managing the maintenance of ships and diving equipment. During the summer season, the RNMCB hires five seasonal aides assigned to the underwater trail and the surveillance missions Payrot, J., et al. (2016) RNMCB Bilan de gestion année Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 6, English translation: p Payrot, J., et al. (2015) RNMCB Bilan de gestion année Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 6, English translation: p Payrot, J., et al. (2014) RNMCB Bilan de gestion année Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 6, English translation: p Payrot, J., et al. (2016) RNMCB Bilan de gestion année Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 6, English translation: p Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, personal communication, 18 June Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, personal communication, 18 June Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, personal communication, 18 June

15 The managers characterize enforcement of regulations in the park as active and consistent. 60 g. Qualifying Designation IUCN Green List. The IUCN listed RNMCB as one of the first 25 sites to be awarded Green List status in Award Status Criteria: Regulations Scores 1-3 = Platinum, 3-4 = Gold, 4-5 = Silver a. Classification and scoring (1-8) of zones based on fishing gear, bottom exploitation, aquaculture, and boating. The overall regulation score for the RNMCB is 4.7. The RNMCB consists of two types of regulatory zones: a 0.65 km 2 integral reserve zone and a 5.85 km 2 partially protected zone encompassing the integral reserve zone. 62 The partially protected zone allows small scale fishing. 63 Each licensed fisher may use a limited number of fishing gears: either 3 gill nets of up to 750 meters each, or one or more longlines with a total of up to 500 hooks. 64 The partially protected zone also allows recreational fishing with rods. 65 The partially protected zone allows boating, mooring in designed areas and anchoring. 66 The integral reserve zone allows boating but forbids fishing, mooring, and anchoring. 67 Bottom exploitation is forbidden throughout the whole RNMCB Frédéric Cadene, Conservationist, Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls, personal communication, 18 June Wells, S., et al. (2016) Using the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas to promote conservation impact through marine protected areas. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 26: Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 79, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 63, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 79, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 67, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 79, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 79, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 79, English translation: p

16 Integral reserve area: 0.65 km 2 Zone Classification: 2 Number of Fishing Gears Allowed: 0 Fishing Gear Impact Score: 0 Bottom Exploitation and Aquaculture Index: 0 Anchoring & Boating Index: 1 Partially Protected area: 5.85 km 2 Zone Classification: 5 Number of Fishing Gears Allowed: 3 Fishing Gear Impact Score: 6 Bottom Exploitation and Aquaculture Index: 0 Anchoring & Boating Index: Award Status Criteria: Site Design and Management 3 Attributes = Platinum, 2 Attributes = Gold, 1 Attribute = Silver a. Size: MPA 100 km 2 or explicitly designed as part of a network of MPAs to support population connectivity The RNMCB covers an area of 6.5 km b. Isolation: Ecological or other protected area buffers surround ecosystem(s) Despite its small size, the habitats supporting high biodiversity in the RNMCB are isolated by sandy bottom and deep water areas (Figure 3). Additionally, the Natura 2000 SAC site Posidonies de la côte des Albères ( The Albères coast s Posidonia ) buffers the RNMCB on its north and south sides and encompasses all of the RNMCB this Natura 2000 site regulates boating and managers have the authority to regulate fishing in the area by decree. 70 The RNMCB is also buffered by the Parc Naturel Marin du Golfe du Lion ( Lion s gulf natural marine park ) which is an MPA that covers an area of 4,019 km 2, monitors fished populations 71 and can refuse assent to fishing activities likely to have a significant impact on the marine environment Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 15, English translation: p Préfecture des Pyrénées-Orientales (2011) Autorisation d occupation temporaire du domaine maritime public. Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée. Retrieved July 2018 from 71 Parc Naturel Marin du Golfe du Lion (2014) Plan de gestion du Parc naturel marin du golfe du Lion. Conseil de gestion du Parc naturel marin du golfe du Lion, French : p Parc Naturel Marin du Golfe du Lion (2016) Guide de présentation. Parc Naturel Marin du Golf du Lion, French : p

17 c. Age: Protections in the site, comparable to the current protections, are 10 years old The site was established in 1974 and amended in 1979, with the first management plan written for the period of d. Community engagement: There is a formal process to engage the local community in the implementation and/or ongoing management of the MPA. When the MPA was established in 1974, the management council included local stakeholders such as local fishermen and members of local administrations and was chaired by Pierre Drach, director of Arago Laboratory at the time. This council was involved in management and protection of the RNMCB. Today, the RNMCB is managed by a small group composed of a scientific manager, a teacher to act as an educational guide for the marine trail, a public relation agent, and a secretary. 74 The RNMCB has an Advisory Committee chaired by the prefect of Pyrénées-Orientales Department. 75 The Committee members are chosen by prefectural decree and are appointed for a period of three years. The Committee generally includes representatives of the state, local authorities, owner and user representatives, local administrations and public institutions representatives, nature protection associations representatives, and qualified scientists. The Advisory Committee meets once a year to guide and evaluate the manager's mission by reviewing the annual activity report and annual budget. Its role is also to give its opinion on regulation compliance. Lastly, the Advisory Committee intervenes during the implementation of the management plan and can decide to carry out scientific studies to ensure that the RNMCB is being properly conserved, protected, and improved GLORES Network Priorities: Ecosystem Representation The RNMCB protects seagrass meadows (0.23 km 2 ), rocky reefs hosting coralligenous formations (1.35 km 2 ), underwater cavities, and soft sediment areas (4.59 km 2 ). Because the Global Ocean Refuge System is only in its second year, the ecosystems protected by the RNMCB will be the first of these ecosystems within the region to be represented in a Global Ocean Refuge. 73 Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 20, English translation: p Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 18, English translation: pp Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 19, English translation: pp Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, French: p. 19, English translation: pp

18 3.2 GLORES Network Priorities: Ecological Spatial Connectivity Because the Global Ocean Refuge System is only in its second year, there are no other Global Ocean Refuges in the region with which to consider the ecological spatial connectivity contribution of the RNMCB. In future GLORES award cycles, we will describe the location of the MPA within the context of the existing GLORES network, considering connectivity