The Iroise Marine Natural Park is a remarkable area boasting outstanding natural resources and playing host to traditional fishing activities. Located at the tip of Finistère between the island of Sein, Ouessant and the limits of the territorial sea, the Park protects 350 000 hectares of marine area. The cultural heritage is extremely varied and marked by majestic offshore lighthouses which make seafarers dream. And the Iroise contains surprising biodiversity consisting of dozens of species of algae, marine mammals, birds and other less well-known or simply more discreet species. In addition to
being listed as a marine nature park, it is a marine protected area under the Oslo-Paris convention (OSPAR) and a large part of its perimeter is listed under the European Habitats and Birds directives (Network 2000 directives) and as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The site was one of the Pilot Sites for the Green List that first got certified in 2014.
The site features outstanding natural resources and plays host to traditional fishing activities. The cultural heritage is extremely varied and marked by majestic offshore lighthouses. Natural heritage consists of dozens of species of algae, birds and marine mammals and other less well-known species. In addition to being listed as a marine nature park, it is a marine protected area under the Oslo-Paris convention (OSPAR) and a large part of its perimeter is listed under the European Habitats and Birds directives (Network 2000 directives) and as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The creation of the Iroise Marine Nature Park was a long process with all the local stakeholders, but it is today the pride of the local people living both on the Finistère coast and inland.
Major Site Values & Outcomes
Site consists of high biodiversity consisting of many species of marine mammals, birds, algae and other species. In addition to being listed as a marine nature park, it is a marine protected area under the Oslo-Paris convention (OSPAR) and a large part of its perimeter is listed under the European Habitats and Birds directives (Network 2000 directives) and as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The fundamental values of the site are clearly defined and included in the summary of the management plan p. 14 and in the “initial state” of the management plan. This document consists of 730 pages articulated and listed as follows: Natural heritage (16 habitats of major interest, 33 species of major interest); Fisheries resources and economic activities; Water quality; Maritime cultural heritage (submarine, terrestrial, intangible heritage).
Overall, positive outcomes are reported for the majority of the relevant monitoring indicators for biodiversity (17 indicators – species and habitats); water quality (16 indicators show a stability in the results); governance (5 indicators); cultural heritage (4 indicators).
The application and candidature phase were carried out between May and July with the discovery of the new indicators. This prompted several trips back and forth between the mentor and the manager. A solution has been proposed on the panorama of solutions and concerns the regulation of jetsky in the home range of a coastal group of bottlenose dolphins. The indicators of all phases have been reached. All means of verification have been made available and put on compass. The site visit was conducted by Jean-Philippe Siblet on August 23 with a program: Discussion of ongoing research work on oceanite (post doc) and in the framework of the extension (but also the current management of the RNNI); Visit of the archipelago and exchange on the various conservation issues (providers of environmental discoveries, seaweed etc .); Exchange with the teams of the Office (of the departmental service). Following the review of the candidature of the Iroise Marine Natural Park, the members of the Green List working group welcomed the remarkable efforts made by the team of managers for the conservation of the values of the site and underlined the quality and the completeness of the file. The standards are reached or exceeded. On the basis of these elements, the members of the working group voted unanimously to re-register the Iroise Marine Nature Park on the IUCN Green List of Protected and Preserved Areas.
Reviewer Approval:
