On the western side of the Gulf of Naples stretches an enchanting place where animals and marine vegetation live undisturbed. It is the wonderful Kingdom of Neptune, a marine protected area established in December 2007 following a project by the Zoological Station Anton Dohrn, more commonly known as theNaples Aquarium.

The Kingdom of Neptune was established in order to protect the biodiversity of the Phlegrean Islands area and preserve the presence of some endangered species. The area includes some municipalities of Ischia and Procida, as well as the adjacent nature reserve represented by the precious island of Vivara.

The truly unique environment of this area is characterized by a seabed of volcanic origin, where currents of different temperatures and peculiar chemical and physical characteristics give rise to an incredible ecosystem of inestimable beauty and naturalistic importance.

The Kingdom of Neptune lies in fact, on the border between the colder waters of the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea and warmer ones peculiar to the south, attracting the specimens that inhabit this sea.

The original project of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station aimed first and foremost to protect marine biodiversity with total respect for nature, while at the same time enhancing tourism that was as eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable as possible.

For these reasons, the area is differentiated into five safeguard zones, where to the classic A, B and C areas, found in all MPAs (marine protected areas), there are the additional B n.t. and D zones.

The Zones of the Kingdom of Neptune

We begin with the zone A, known as the integral reserve, identified in the stretch of the west coast of Vivara Island and the southern part of the channel that divides this same island from Ischia. Access to this area is forbidden to anyone except for means of rescue, search or surveillance previously authorized by the entity that manages the area. It is not possible to transit by sailing or rowing vessels. Two underwater archaeological areas are preserved on its seabed.

The special general reserve

Next we find the B zone n.t., referred to as special general reserve no take, which includes the body of water extending in front of the so-called Shoal of Ants, near the west coast of Vivara and the one present at the Punta Sant'Angelo, in the southernmost part of the island of Ischia, popular diving destinations.

Mussel farming, fish farming, aquaculture and professional and sport fishing are prohibited in these areas. Diving and underwater visits are allowed only with prior permission.

The general reserve

Surrounding the A and B n.t. zones is the general reserve area, zone B. This stretch includes the part of the sea that washes the eastern shores of Procida, the southeastern part of Ischia's coastline touching the shores of the municipality of Barano d'Ischia and Forio d'Ischia. Restrictions in this area are less in fact scuba diving, sailing and rowing vessels are allowed here (within speed limits and respecting shoreline spacing), and bathing is possible.

On the other hand, access to passenger and line boats must be authorized by the harbormaster's office that manages the MPA, while vessels may be moored and anchored at specific sites. Unlike the previous zone, sport and professional fishing and aquaculture are also allowed in this area.

The partial reserve

The zone C is an area that surrounds the previous ones and extends through the remaining part of the marine protected area except zone D. Here, ships are allowed to enter, moor in authorized sections, and fish. 

The marine mammal safeguard zone.

External to the partial riversa is zone D. It extends in the northwestern part of the coast of Ischia and coincides with the very special Underwater canyon of Cuma, a deep and wide valley under the sea. This stretch is the jewel in the crown of this marine protected area, making the Kingdom of Neptune unique in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, in fact, species of marine mammals, large cetaceans such as dolphins, sperm whales and minke whales live and breed. Most activities such as mooring, bathing and professional fishing are allowed in the area, respecting the incredible richness of these waters.

The species of the marine protected area Kingdom of Neptune

Due to its incredible environment, the Neptune Kingdom Marine Protected Area presents a wealth in biodiversity really interesting. The bodies of water that make up the area are frequented by various and numerous fish species including not only cold-water and deep-water mollusks such as squid and squid but also bluefish species, small tuna, amberjacks, moray eels, jellyfish, corals and gorgonians.

Hosts of excellence, however, are the species that the area aims to protect in particular. These include the common dolphin, delphinus delphis, which is an endangered species, the false black coral, savalia savaglia, of Ischia's seabed, for years removed to the point of depleting the colony and an extensive Posidonia meadow, posidonia oceanica, an important ecological indicator of the health of our seas.

History and interesting facts about the marine protected area Kingdom of Neptune

The Neptune Kingdom Marine Protected Area was established in 2007 but was identified as early as 1991 due to its incredible biodiversity. 

It was in 1999, however, that with a study conducted by the Zoological Station Anton Dohrn, which began the actual project of perimeter and zoning the entire area. 

Even before a project on the marine area was conceived, in 1872, the richness and incredible biodiversity found among these marine waters amazed and fascinated the German scholar Anton Dohrn. The latter, a friend of one of the greatest naturalists in history, Charles Darwin, he was convinced to move his studies between Naples and Ischia and build the world's first experimental marine biology institute, the Benthos ecology workshop, which deals with the study and monitoring of marine ecosystems.

What are you waiting for to visit this spectacular protected area?