Behavior in the “Capo Carbonara” Marine Protected Area

Zone A: Integral Reserve

It is allowed:

Access to the personnel of the Managing Authority for service activities, and to scientific personnel for the conduct of authorized research activities.
The realization of guided underwater tours, regulated by the Managing Authority, in adjacent areas, according to predefined routes, while still considering the need for high environmental protection.
Rescue and surveillance activities.
Service activities carried out on behalf of the Managing Authority.

It is prohibited:

Bathing.
Professional, sport, and underwater fishing.
The transit of boats except for those belonging to or authorized by the Marine Protected Area.

In addition to the general rules (Ministerial Decree No. 60 of February 7, 2012, and the Implementation and Organization Regulations).

Zone B: Integral Reserve

The activities of zone A are permitted, and additionally:

Navigation of boats and vessels at low speed not exceeding 10 knots.
Guided underwater tours regulated by the Managing Authority of the Marine Protected Area according to the methods provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.
Bathing.
Free diving without breathing apparatus in full compliance with the provisions of the Managing Authority and the Harbor Master's ordinances.
Mooring at the appropriate facilities set up by the Managing Authority or compatible with the need to protect the seabed (sandy or rocky seabed).
Small-scale fishing, with selective gear that does not damage the seabed (fixed gillnets, traps, and trammel nets), for professional fishermen residing in the Municipality of Villasimius as of the entry into force of Decree No. 60 of February 7, 2012, according to the methods provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.
Sport fishing for residents or those equated to them (owners of second homes, mooring place at the Villasimius Yacht Club, annual mooring place at the Marina of Villasimius), with the techniques and quantities provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.
Whale-watching activities according to the methods provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.

It is prohibited:

Underwater fishing.
Free diving with a breathing apparatus.
The use of jet skis or similar vehicles, water skiing, and similar water sports.

In addition to the general rules (Ministerial Decree No. 60 of February 7, 2012, and the Implementation and Organization Regulations).

Zone C: Partial Reserve

The activities of zone B are permitted, and additionally:

Access to recreational boats.
Navigation of boats and vessels at low speed not exceeding 10 knots.
Mooring at the appropriate facilities set up by the Managing Authority or compatible with the need to protect the seabed (sandy or rocky seabed).
Small-scale fishing, with selective gear that does not damage the seabed (fixed gillnets, traps, and trammel nets), for professional fishermen residing in the Municipality of Villasimius as of the entry into force of Decree No. 60 of February 7, 2012, according to the methods provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.
Free diving with and/or without a breathing apparatus with prior authorization from the managing entity according to the methods provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.
Sport fishing for residents or those equated to them (owners of second homes, mooring place at the Villasimius Yacht Club, annual mooring place at the Marina of Villasimius) and non-residents, with the techniques and quantities provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.
Whale-watching activities according to the methods provided in the Implementation and Organization Regulations.

It is prohibited:

Underwater fishing.
The use of jet skis or similar vehicles, water skiing, and similar water sports.

In addition to the general rules (Ministerial Decree No. 60 of February 7, 2012, and the Implementation and Organization Regulations).

Zone D: Experimental Reserve

The activities of zone B are permitted, and additionally:

Navigation of boats and vessels at low speed not exceeding 20 knots.

It is prohibited:

Underwater fishing.
The use of jet skis or similar vehicles, water skiing, and similar water sports.

In addition to the general rules (Ministerial Decree No. 60 of February 7, 2012, and the Implementation and Organization Regulations). The Marine Protected Area "Capo Carbonara" was established by the Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of Land and Sea, with a Ministerial Decree of September 15, 1998, then modified in 1999 and fully replaced by the Ministerial Decree of February 7, 2012 (Official Gazette No. 113 of May 16, 2012). The management of the Marine Protected Area is entrusted to the Municipality of Villasimius. Remember:

You are in a Site of Community Importance (SCI) established under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.
You are in a Special Protection Area (SPA) established under the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC.
You are in an SPAMI (Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance) under the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, also known as the Barcelona Convention.

DO NOT ANCHOR ON POSIDONIA – A HABITAT PROTECTED UNDER THE HABITATS DIRECTIVE 92/43/EEC.

Logistics and regulations of diving excursions

It is necessary to register at the office beforehand (remember to bring your certification card), after which divers will be assigned a personal basket where they can leave their equipment for the entire stay. The basket will be housed in the appropriate room where the BCD and wetsuit can be hung after rinsing.

Diver groups will be a maximum of 6 divers plus the guide and will be divided according to certification level.
For those who have not dived in over 12 months, a “check dive” will be mandatory, which involves doing some exercises with the instructor before starting the regular dive.
From the operational base at the entrance of Villasimius, we move to the port of Villasimius (first entrance) or the port of Capitana with a diving bus or by our own means.
For subsequent dives, you can go directly to the nautical base at the port of Villasimius (first entrance) or Capitana. The basket will be transported by the Diving Staff!
On the white boat Air Sub II and the boat GI & GI (port of Villasimius) we have enough space to assemble the equipment on board.
In Capitana, where we have the Red boat or Air Sub I, we have less space, so the tank unit is assembled and tested for functionality before boarding. We will depart with the wetsuit worn (even partially) and embark only the equipment pertinent to the dive.
Once anchored, a detailed briefing on the dive will be given. Advanced course participants will receive a more in-depth briefing at the dive center.
Dives are conducted using the classic buddy system. At the end of the dive, a snack and tea are offered. All operations of boarding and disembarking diving equipment will be carried out by the diving staff.

We respect the environment, always!

It is forbidden to collect live or dead organisms from the seabed.
It is recommended to maintain a neutral buoyancy as much as possible to avoid damage to flora and fauna with the fins.
It is recommended to stay at least 50 cm away from walls and the seabed in general to avoid damaging organisms such as gorgonians, parazoanthus, etc.
Try to avoid air bubbles coming into contact with organisms; therefore, avoid breathing under overhangs and walls with gorgonians, parazoanthus, etc.
Do not touch living organisms with your hands.
Do not feed the fish.

Safety in recreational diving

In Sardinia, since February 1999, there has been a regional professional register for instructors and diving guides, diving centers, and educational agencies. Air Sub and its staff are regularly registered, having all the necessary requirements.

In addition to the register, the Sardinia Region has legislated a regulation for recreational diving in line with international safety standards. Furthermore, we are in the heart of the Marine Protected Area of Villasimius and are a recognized and authorized diving center.

Anyone diving with Air Sub must adhere to the following regulations:

The use of the following diving equipment is mandatory: BCD, alternative air source, pressure gauge, diving instruments (computer and/or depth gauge, timer, and tables), and surface marker.
It is forbidden to exceed the depth authorized by your diving certification.
It is forbidden to dive beyond 40 meters in depth.
It is forbidden to go beyond the no-decompression limit.
It is forbidden to exceed the planned depth and/or that of the dive guide.
It is forbidden to move away from the group and/or your buddy.

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