Marine nature reserves in France: Legal framework, management, and comparative notes for the U.S. marine sanctuary program

Abstract

This study evaluates a method used by the Republic of France to protect discrete marine areas of shoreline and adjacent coastal waters through designation of sites as marine nature reserves. Although much smaller in size than many national marine sanctuaries in the United States, the reserves in France represent successful efforts to protect and manage coastal marine areas. This is due in part to a high amount of local involvement during the designation process; the use of advisory committees at the reserves as well as scientific committees, which develop and conduct research projects within the sites; and the use of core areas, in which almost all human activities are prohibited or restricted, to promote repopulation of fish communities and to increase species diversity. The initiative for creating the reserves begins at the local level and is coordinated among local officials, user groups, environmental organizations and the national government. This study describes the legal framework in which the rese...