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THE MARINE PROTECTED AREA IN PORTO CESAREO

The marine protected area of Porto Cesareo, whose surface covers 17,156 hectares, lies in the eastern part of the Gulf of Taranto and is adjacent, for about 18 kilometers, to the Porto Cesareo coastline and for about 6 kilometers to the Nardņ coastline.

The particular feature of this stretch of the Ionian Sea is the formation of abundant, multi-coloured coral-like growths and the luxuriant nature of the algae, sponges and "antozoi" that go to make up one of the loveliest seascapes in our scenery; the beauty of these scenarios reaches its peak when the sun's rays penetrate in the tens of marine grottoes present in the zone. Up to mid twentieth century the monk seal took shelter in these coves; there are photos and an embalmed seal in the local Museum.

Even at 10/12 meters down you can see the start of the "posidonia oceanica" field, a marine plantation which, between the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn produces singular fruits and flowers. The long hot summers enable the "posidonia" to develop new leaves and amongst the fronds of this marine plant, present down to a depth of 35 meters, you can see a plentiful population of "labridoe" and block and green "tordi" of exceptional dimensions.