SEGOLENE ROYAL SIGNED DECREE CREATING SEVENTH MARINE NATIONAL PARK PERTUIS

USPA NEWS - Ségolène Royal, French Minister for Ecology Sustainable Development and Energy, created by decree on Marine Natural Park of the Gironde estuary and the sea Pertuis. Ségolène Royal signed today the decree creating the Marine Natural Park of Gironde estuary and the sea Pertuis at the Charente Maritime

The Minister undertook to create the 7th French Marine Park, the largest marine French park (In the hexagon) to date on World Ocean Day, June 8, 2014. There are four natural parks in France and overseas.--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------THE NATURAL PARK OF THE GIRONDE ESTUARY AND THE SEA PERTUIS-------------------------  Located on the Atlantic coast, this marine park covers 6,500 square miles of ocean space and extends over 700 km of coastline on three departments (Vendée, Charente-Maritime, Gironde). This scope allows to preserve the physical and ecological continuity formed by the four main areas of the park: -the sea of Pertuis, a mosaic of remarkable habitats critical for many migratory species, fish and birds; - The Gironde Estuary, the largest estuary in Europe, the iconic biodiversity - last breeding sturgeon in Europe for example; - The plume formed by the mixing of fresh water from the Gironde to the Atlantic Ocean, a large fish wealth; - The wide, full of fish, frequented by many birds like the Northern Gannet and feeding area for the Leatherback turtle, the Pilgrim sharks and marine mammals. Many economic activities are also concentrated in these areas: oyster farming, fisheries, navigation, tourism ... The establishment of the marine park should help preserve and restore the balance of ecosystems while combining sustainable development of economic activities. Source: Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development and Energy ------------------------------------For more information see: www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr