Why worry about biodiversity?
The marina, a living environment that must be respected
Certain species need to attach themselves to solid structures for their development. The marina facilities are an incredible opportunity! Certain species use the shelter of the marinas for part of the year or part of their life cycle, and then return to the sea. Such is the case of fish larvae and juvenile fish that, the time needed to become adults, are protected from large predators.
The marina is also the location of marine and land-based human activities: the use of products for the maintenance of boats, oil leaks, organic waste... These pollutants are then trapped in the marina by the sediment or carried by water to nearby beaches. The proliferation of a particular species can be indicative of pollution.
Actions that promote biodiversity in the marina
The marinas are ISO 14001 certified and focus on reducing port activities at the source by establishing rules and providing users with the appropriate equipment! The quality of water and sediment is thereby improved. It is the guarantee for the enjoyment of water activities in the future!
> Find out more about an exemplary environmental policy
The Port Biodiversity Index, a measure of water quality
The specific features of each marina are taken into account in the elaboration of the index. Port-Louis was the first marina audited in 2013 and again in 2014, followed by Kernével in 2014.
>> Port-Louis
Context: established in a natural cove enclosed by a breakwater at the entrance, the marina was expanded in 2009.
>> Kernével
This observation and sampling operation, (9 supports are sampled on 3 sites in the marina) will be conducted every 2 years in the same marina, in order to monitor progress. The marinas at Gâvres, Lorient and Guidel are scheduled for 2015.