Natura 2000 Network Site

The Secche della Meloria marine protected area is part of the European network known as “Natura 2000”.

This network was established by Community Directives: 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, 97/62/EEC amending Directive 92/43 and 79/409/EEC updated by 2009/147/EEC on the conservation of wild birds; transposed in Italy by Presidential Decree No. 357 of 8 September 1997. The Natura 2000 Network brings together sites of high nature conservation value throughout Europe and standardises the regulatory requirements for their protection, requiring all member states to enact specific legislation and regulations as well as appropriate forms of management. (link to site Ministry of the Environment and European Commission)

The Tuscany Region enacted the first specific legislation on the subject, for all sites within the regional territory, with Law No. 56 of 6 April 2000, now supplemented by the new Regional Law No. 30 of 19 March 2015 (link to site of Tuscany Region). As a result of this specific legislation, the Secche della Meloria have been identified as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) with the Resolution of the Regional Council of Tuscany No. 35 of 8 June 2011 establishing the marine SCI code IT5160018 (Type B). With Resolution of the Regional Council of Tuscany of No. 1223 of 15 December 2015, the specific conservation measures of the SCIs and their designation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) were also approved; this resolution dictates, in Annex A, the general protection measures for the marine area and, in Annex B, the specific site prescriptions that also concern the Secche della Meloria.

Finally, the Ministry of the Environment by Decree of 22 December 2016 designated the Secche della Meloria site a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The necessary conservation measures for SACs have now been updated by Presidential Decree No. 120 of 12 March 2003 and the Decree of the Ministry of the Environment of 24 May 2016, as well as, with regard to the Secche della Meloria MPA, by the specific regulation approved with the Ministerial Decree of 18 April 2014.

Site identification data
DATA-FORM Natura2000 – Site IT5160018 Secche della Meloria

1. SITE IDENTIFICATION
1.1 Type
	B

	This one-character code considers the possible relationships between sites proposed for designation as Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) and sites classified as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Each of these codes (A to K) corresponds to a particular relationship, as shown in Figure 1. If there is a relationship with more than one site, the code defining the predominant relationship must be used. Moreover, the code makes it possible to automatically identify the type of site (whether it is an SPA, a site proposed as an SCI, or both).
1.2 Site code
	IT5160018

	In a relational database, each site is assigned a unique code that constitutes the identification element within the same database. The unique site code comprises nine characters and consists of two components (IT for Italy). The other 7 characters, which are used to form a single alphanumeric code for each site, must be assigned according to a logical and coherent system, defined by the competent national authorities.
1.3 Site name
	Secche della Meloria

1.4 First compilation date	2011-09


	Enter the date you wish to select as the “compilation date” for recording the information. The data field comprises six boxes in which the year (4 digits) must be entered, followed by the month (2 digits).
1.5 Update date
	Modified/updated:	2019-09

	Enter the date on which the information reported for the site was last modified, using the same formula as for the “Date” field. If a new site is to be registered, enter six spaces in the “Update” field. If the information has been updated several times, enter the date of the last update. Intermediate updates are stored in the “History” field, together with the reasons for the changes.
1.6 Respondent	Regione Toscana – Direzione Ambiente ed Energia – Settore Tutela della Natura e del Mare – Via di Novoli, 26 – 50127 Firenze – parchiareeprotette_biodiversita@regione.toscana.it
	no changes / with addition of address of MPA managing body
	notes:	Ente Parco regionale Migliarino S. Rossore Massaciuccoli Tenuta di S. Rossore loc. Cascine Vecchie 56122 – PISA
	Enter the name, affiliation and address of the person or organisation that provided the information recorded. If much of the information was provided by more than one person or organisation, enter each of them, with their name, affiliation and address.
1.7 Site indication and designation / classification dates
	Date site classified as SPA: 0000-00 National legal reference of SPA designation: No data Date site proposed as SCI: 2011-10 Date site confirmed as SCI: No data Date site designated as SAC: 2016-12 National legal reference of SAC designation: DM 22/12/2016 – G.U. 19 del 24-01-2017
	notes:	no changes –
	Four dates must be entered: the date on which the site was proposed for identification as a Site of Community Importance (SCI); the date on which the site was confirmed as an SCI; the date on which the site was classified as an SPA; and the date on which the site was designated as an SAC. Four subfields will indicate the year and month in which the site was proposed for identification as a Site of Community Importance (SCI); the date on which it was confirmed as an SCI; the date on which it was officially listed by the Member States as a Special Protection Area; and/or finally the date on which it was classified as a Special Area of Conservation. If a site has been designated and subsequently expanded, enter the year it was first listed and the most recent total surface area.

2. SITE LOCATION
2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]
	Longitude 10.175221 – Latitude 43.568968
	notes:	no changes – it should be noted that the location is expressed in plane coordinates rather than in geographical coordinates
	The geographical coordinates (longitude and latitude) of the centre of the site must be given in degrees, minutes and seconds of arc. By convention, degrees, minutes and seconds of west longitude from the Greenwich meridian are assigned a negative value, and degrees, minutes and seconds of east longitude a positive value, which can be confirmed by a + sign or implied, if the sign is replaced with a space. This avoids coordinate problems if the data are subsequently transferred to a geographic information system (GIS). For sites consisting of several distinct zones, indicate the coordinates of the most important sub-zone.
2.2 Area [ha]
	verified:	9122.5
	notes:	provided by last survey through digitised GIS mapping.
	The area of a site must be stated in hectares. Although this field is mandatory, a value of -99 is assigned to sites whose surface area is unknown. If the site is a cave or a cliff, a value of 0 may be indicated. In this case, field 2.3 must be completed. If the site area has changed over time, enter the most recent total surface area.
2.3 Marine area [%]
	100.0
	notes:	no changes – the site is fully identified as a marine area
2.4 Sitelength [km]
	0.0
	notes:	no changes – not necessary as the measures under 2.2. are relevant and representative.
	This field is only mandatory if surface area measurements are not relevant (e.g. caves, cliffs). The length of the site must be given in kilometres. If the length of the site has changed over time, enter the most recent total length.
2.5 Administrative region code and name
	NUTS level 2 code: ITZZ Region Name: Extra-Regio
	notes:	no changes
	For the regions of the European Community, EUROSTAT has developed a standardised hierarchical coding system for statistical data. This system is to be used by the Commission for the coding of all regional data. A more comprehensive description can be found in the EUROSTAT publication and in Appendix A. Together with the percentage of site coverage in each region, the NUTS codes should be entered for each site. A single code must be entered. If a site spans several regions, as many codes as there are regions should be entered into the database at the most detailed level (5 characters). The region name is required for cross-checks. If boundary information is available in digital form, the percentage of site coverage in the different NUTS regions can be calculated digitally. If a site includes a marine component not covered by the NUTS system, the percentage of the site’s area within that component must also be entered.
2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)
	Mediterranean (100.0%)

3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
3.1 Habitat types present on the site and assessment for them

	verified:	1120 (no PF no NP)	Cover [ha]: 1043.0 Data quality: M Representativity: A Relative surface: C Conservation: B Global: A
		1170 (no PF no NP)	Cover [ha]: 270.0 Data quality: M Representativity: C Relative surface: C Conservation: B Global: C
	notes:	The surface areas have been calculated through the remote sensing of the MPA seabed using a “multibeam” technique carried out in September 2019 for the production of bionomic mapping, which indicates: for Zone A – Posidonia oceanica meadows (various substrates): 266ha – Rocks with photophilic algae (hard seabed): 270ha – “Basins” (soft seabed): 19ha The first two habitats refer respectively to codes DH 1120 and 1170, while the third lacks an equivalent entry in the Natura 2000 habitat classification. For Zones B3 and C – Posidonia oceanica meadows: 222ha – P. oceanica meadows (mosaic with other environmental components): 555ha – “Basins” (soft seabed): 33ha – Other types of soft seabed (sand): 159ha – Other types of soft seabed (mud): 89ha The same considerations as for the previous zone apply. As these data are partial and partly the result of extrapolation, the M rating for data quality is maintained. There are no changes regarding the assessment of the habitats within the site (site assessment).
	The habitat type code refers to Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC, as shown in Appendix B. This four-character code follows the hierarchical presentation of the habitat types in Annex I of the Directive. All Annex I habitats at the specific site must be indicated together with the percentage of surface area covered (taking into account criterion A.b of Annex III of the Directive). With regard to the site assessment criteria for a given natural habitat type, please refer to the dedicated manuals, as listed on EU portals (e.g. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/docs/standarddataforms/notes_it.pdf).
3.2 Species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and site evaluation for them

	verified:	*Caretta caretta*	Group: R Code: 1224 S: no NP: no Type: permanent Size (Min/Max): n.s. Unit: n.s. Abundance category: C Data quality: DD Site assessment: Pop:A, Con:B; Iso:C, Glo:B
		*Tursiops truncatus*	Group: M Code: 1349 S: no NP: no Type: permanent Size (Min/Max): n.s. Unit: n.s. Abundance category: C Data quality: DD Site assessment: Pop:A, Con:B; Iso:C, Glo:B
	notes:	no changes
	Enter the scientific name of all bird species referred to in Articles 4.1 and 4.2 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC and all species of flora and fauna referred to in Annex II of Council Directive 92/43/EEC present at the site, as well as indicating their population within the site. All relevant species, including all migratory bird species, in accordance with Article 4(2) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC must also be indicated by a four-character sequential CODE, taken from Annex C. With regard to the site assessment criteria for a given species of significant conservation interest, please refer to the dedicated manuals, as listed on EU portals (e.g. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/docs/standarddataforms/notes_it.pdf).
3.3 Other important species of flora and fauna (optional)








	verified:	*Cladocora caespitosa*	Group: P Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: C
		*Cystoseira compressa*	Group: P Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: C
		*Cystoseira crinita*	Group: P Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: D
		*Epinephelus marginatus*	Group: F Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: C
		*Lithophaga lithophaga*	Group: I Code: 1027 Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Species annex: IV
		*Luria lurida*	Group: I Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: C
		*Paracentrotus lividus*	Group: I Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: C
		*Pinna nobilis*	Group: I Code: 1028 Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Species annex: IV
		*Posidonia oceanica*	Group: P Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: C
		*Sciaena umbra*	Group: F Code: n.s. Population in the site: n.s. Abundance category: P Motivation – Other categories: C
	notes:	NO CHANGES – it is only added that the species Cladocora caespitosa is present in the area with abundance P. The species is listed in Annex II of the SPA/BD Protocol of the Barcelona Convention – IUCN Red List (2014) conservation status LC (Least Concern).
	All other important species of flora and fauna may be entered in this section.

4. SITE DESCRIPTION
4.1 General site character
	verified:		Habitat class: N01 – % Cover: 100.0 Total Habitat Cover: 100 Other Site Characteristics: (…)
	notes:		no changes – the area is entirely attributable to class N01 (sea, straits).
	This field should provide an overview of the site. Summarise the characteristics of the site, starting with an indication of the division of the site into general habitat classes, using “best expert judgment” to assess their percentage coverage (these habitat classes are pre-filled in the corresponding field). The total coverage of habitat classes should add up to 100% and correspond to the total surface area of the site. The most important geological, geomorphological and landscape elements should be described. Where relevant, indicate the dominant vegetation types. Please also mention other habitats not included in Annex I that are important for the conservation of the site. If further detailed analysis of the classes is relevant for the conservation of the site (e.g. “dehesas” [meadows/pastures] or vineyards), this should be mentioned in the free space provided in the “Other site characteristics” field. Information on small linear or mosaic-type woodlands (hedges, bocage, tree rows) should also be provided in this general text section.
4.2 Quality and importance
	il sito è interamente ricompreso all’interno di Area Marina Protetta denominata “Secche della Meloria” istituita con Decreto Ministero dell’Ambiente 21.10.2009 – G.U. n. 79 del 6.4.2010.
	notes:		UPDATED – with description and data on the establishment of the MPA.
	This field should provide overall indications of the quality and importance of the site in light of the conservation objectives of the directives. Indicate wetlands of international importance that regularly host >20,000 waterfowl. If a species is listed in Section 3.3 under D, briefly justify its inclusion in the list.
4.3 Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on the site	negative impacts
	H	I01		b
	M	G05.11		i
	M	G05.03		i
	M	H03		b
	H	F02.01		b
	M	F03.02.05		b
	H	F02.02		b
	M	F05		i
	M	H06.01		b
	H	F02.03		b
	L	G01.07		i
	L	D03.01.04		o

	positive impacts
	Activities, management: X
	notes:		please enter code D03.01.04 (industrial ports) in the elements of risk to emphasise the relevant proximity of large port infrastructure with engineering and petrochemical industries (RIR). The element of risk is to be considered external to the site but with a level of impact (represented by traffic entering and leaving the port and any incidents related to this). The inclusion of the SCI within the MPA, with the adoption of the related management policy, is certainly a positive element.
	The nature and importance of pressures on the site from human activities or other influences are indicated, as well as the degree of fragility of the habitats and ecosystems found there. This field should include a description of relevant elements not adequately expressed by the data coded in section 6.1.

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS
5.1 Designation types at national and regional level
	modified:	Code: IT00 – Cover [%]:100.0

	For each Member State, Annex D contains a sequential list of designation types that are important for nature conservation and which enjoy statutory protection, together with their definitions at national/regional level. For each site, indicate the codes for the appropriate designation types and the percentage of coverage within the site for each designation type. The information collected in this field is at the level of the different designation types. If several nature reserves of the same type are included in the registered site, indicate the percentage of total coverage of these reserves. The relationship between the individual designated areas and the site (cf. 5.2) is recorded separately.

6. SITE MANAGEMENT
6.1 Body(ies) responsible for the site management
	Organisation: Parco Regionale Migliarino S. Rossore Massaciuccoli
	notes:	no changes – please complete the field by entering the address of the Park Authority responsible for the management of the MPA, as well as the office directly in charge of it, as reported in point 1.6
	Please provide all contact details including the name, address and telephone/fax of the authority or person responsible for managing the site.
6.2 Management Plan(s):
	An actual management plan does exist: YES
	notes:	Modified – reference is made to the establishment of the marine protected area and the presence of a specific managing body with the application of specific regulations for the organisation and execution of the SPA approved by the Ministry of the Environment Decree of 18 April 2014, published in the Official Journal No. 112 of 16 May 2014, which also presents the contents of the SAC Management Plan.
	This is a brief overview of the management plans undertaken or under consideration with a timetable of activities. Together with the “Vulnerability” field (4.3), these should take into account threats to the site due to human activities. As already mentioned in the introduction, information of this kind can in many cases be decisive when assessing the outcome of conservation measures proposed under LIFE or other financial instruments. Please mention all plans that have been published.

Downloadable documents:

• Relazione_finale Misure Conservazione SIC Secche-Meloria (DipBiologia_UniPI) ( 5093 Kb) [Final report conservation measures SIC Secche-Meloria – Biology Departm. University of Pisa)
• Scheda attuazione misure conservazione SIC-ZSC_AMPSM ( 272 Kb) [Application sheet conservation measures SIC-ZSC MPASM]