A protected Mediterranean coast west of Marseille where rocky reefs, seagrass meadows and coralligenous habitat occur beside heavily used urban and maritime waters.
Côte Bleue Marine — Zone spéciale de conservation (N2000, DHFF) (264)
Why it is protected
Maintain protected reefs and seagrass habitats.
Manage recreation and fishing alongside conservation.
Habitats and significant life
Habitats: Rocky reef, Posidonia seagrass meadow, Coralligenous habitat.
Significant species: Dusky grouper, Red coral, Seagrass communities.
Rules and activities
Natura 2000 designation works alongside fisheries, anchoring and local marine-park measures.
Governance
French Natura 2000 authorities; French Biodiversity Agency.
Pressures
Urban pressure; Boating; Fishing; Marine heatwaves.
Protection effectiveness
These dimensions are intentionally separate: a valid designation or active management program does not, by itself, prove ecological recovery.
Habitats and marine life connections
Ecologically related protected areas
These places share documented habitat types or the same ocean region. The relationship is ecological context, not proof of direct connectivity.
Condition and evidence
MLL reports what the available evidence supports. It does not infer ecological health from designation or mapped coverage.
Insufficient evidence
Official protection and management information is available, but the evidence reviewed does not support a single current ecological condition trend for this protected area.
Protection framework
Positive evidenceThe zone spéciale de conservation (n2000, dhff) is implemented; this describes legal status, not ecological outcome.
- Evidence period
- 2008–present
- Geographic scope
- Entire designated area
- Confidence
- high
- Reviewed
- 2026-09-12
Ecological outcome
Insufficient evidenceA comparable, current ecological trend has not yet been established in this MLL review.
- Evidence period
- Current public evidence review
- Geographic scope
- Entire protected area
- Confidence
- not-assessed
- Reviewed
- 2026-09-12
How to read this: Insufficient evidence means the available evidence cannot support a conclusion. It does not mean the MPA is in poor condition.
Sources
Côte Bleue Marine — Zone spéciale de conservation (N2000, DHFF) (264) — Aires marines protégées — Office français de la biodiversité. Verified 2026-09-13.