Creation of a protected marine area on the Cote Basque

Summary: The project aims, on the South Atlantic coast of the Basque Country, to restore biodiversity and ultimately fishery resources and to trigger a virtuous process to reduce various pollution at source: untreated wastewater, agricultural inputs (phosphates, nitrates, pesticides) and chemical pollution – micropollutants and endocrine disruptors. Act on excessively destructive net fishing. The actions proposed in this project will help achieve the protection of 30% of the French coastline as desired by the National Strategy for Protected Areas, including 10% in a strong protection zone.

Background: The project stakeholders have observed a massive decline in marine biodiversity and water quality on the coast of the Basque Country, southwest of France, a very touristy region between the south of the Adour and the border with Spain. The situation is critical on the rocky plateaus of the foreshores located on the south coast (between Biarritz and Hendaye). With the eutrophication of the environment, the populations of molluscs, crustaceans, fishes, shellfish, octopus are collapsing, while liga (deposited mucilage), macroalgae, and other toxic microalgae are proliferating and now regularly cover the coastline. The toxic microalgae ostreopsis ovata is now causing hundreds of poisonings every year (900 in 2022). Beaches are closing due to pollution threatening the tourism economy.
It is urgent to work on water quality and restore marine environment. Progress must be made by 2026, the deadline when local authorities will make decisions on marine protection (Copil Natura 2000 FR 7200813 “Rocky Basque coast and offshore extension”) as part of the National Protected Areas Strategy and the Strong Protection Zones decree. The project proposed by the local section of the Sepanso Federation based in Bordeaux (member of FNE and already fully engaged locally in all relevant public bodies) aim to help with the creation of a marine reserve and act on surrounding pollution in order to restore the health of the environment, to be consistent with committed plans such as Health-Environment (PRSE4) or ONE HEALTH, funded by the European Union.

Actions: The objective is to enable, by 2026, the creation of the first South Atlantic strong protection zone (according to the decree of April 12, 2022) and/or one (or more) fishery protection zones (art R924-1 of environmental code) in relevant areas.

To reach the objective, five key concrete and complementary actions are identified:

1. Complete water analyses to identify the mapping of pollution and anthropogenic pressures, over two years and according to a scientific protocol including micro pollutants and chemical pollutants of agricultural, industrial, or medicinal origin, many of which have not been analysed to date.
2. Execute a thorough coastal underwater cartographic mapping to identify best spot and scenarios for future protection areas.
3. Campaign for compliance of the wastewater treatment stations in the watershed and in the meantime, the cessation of network extensions or connections.
4. Adapt net fishing in the coastal maritime strip according to the available resource and its renewal. These functional areas are essential nurseries, and the migratory corridor of anadromous species is in great suffering.
5. Most importantly, gather intelligence and support from all parties, facilitate dialogue and communicate about progresses.