Did you know that right in the heart of the Gulf of Naples hides a treasure that looks just like a tropical coral reef?

In July, divers from Greenpeace Italia and the Blue Marine Foundation, alongside researchers from the University of Genoa, dove into the waters of the Banco di Santa Croce to study and document an incredible variety of life!
What did they find underwater?

A colorful world: Vast populations of red and yellow gorgonians in great health and extremely rare colonies of black coral!

Many marine friends: Dentex, groupers, and stunning eagle rays swimming freely.
Some challenges: Researchers spotted benthic mucilage (growths caused by altered environmental conditions that risk suffocating the seabed) and pressures from heavy boat traffic.

Currently, this area is already a Biological Protection Zone, but the goal is to include it in the proposed expansion of the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area to give it even stronger protection!

This story is a perfect example of how scientific research and citizen action join forces to protect our sea and help achieve the global goal of protecting at least 30% of our oceans by 2030 (part of the AMPower project).

How would you protect the sea near your home?