Nautical and environment: present and future of environmental quality in areas of anchorage in marine protected areas

Recreational boating has experienced in recent decades a boom supported by the construction and development of port infrastructure. The establishment of marine protected areas attracts yachts and professionals seeking that prefer a well-preserved environment to develop their activities. Numerous studies have shown that the large volume of ships that frequent these areas has a significant impact on seagrass beds and other sensitive biological communities, due to the use of anchors and chains, which have a destructive effect of the seabed. There are different alternatives of “ecological mooring” depending on the type of substrate and desired strength. In Irta Marine Reserve (Peniscola, Spain) were installed a total of 33 mooring points using the Ellipse III anchoring system.