"Excessive tourism at sea: Accusations of misinformation, image disputes, and poor etiquette"

In the picturesque waters of La Maddalena National Park, a series of concerns have been raised by the NordEst Sardegna Nautical Operators Association. The association has taken issue with a photograph used in a newspaper, claiming it to be misleading and dating back to May 2018.

The association has called for a range of measures to address the problem of nautical overtourism, including a ban on disembarking on beaches unless by swimming, increasing the entrance tax to the Park, changing methods of controlling receipts, banning mega yachts, implementing a carbon tax on internal combustion engines to finance an environmental surveillance corps, and equal rules for all.

Located in the northern part of Sardinia, near the Costa Smeralda and the islands of La Maddalena, Caprera, and Santo Stefano, the National Park is a significant tourist attraction. Many of the nautical operators in the area hail from surrounding regions, particularly Palau, La Maddalena, and the Costa Smeralda.

Prominent regions serving the National Park include Palau, La Maddalena, and the Costa Smeralda. However, specific information about individual operators focusing on the National Park is not readily available. It is advisable to seek information directly from local tourist information centres or websites of local nautical businesses for the most current information.

The association has voiced its displeasure at being portrayed as a predator of the territory by the media, without acknowledging that operators have asked for clear rules and serious controls. The problem of nautical overtourism is a complex one, with boats symbolising freedom yet often causing overcrowding in coves, resulting in noise, other people's music, engines, and propellers.

The issue of overcrowding has been evident in various parts of the National Park. At Cinque Terre, there has been an estimated drop of 50,000 presences this year due to overtourism. Similarly, the Costa Smeralda experienced significant crowding in August, with new and large groups investing in the area, opening new activities, and bringing a multitude of tourists.

In response to the overcrowding, suggestions have been made to regulate access to land on Spargi island, but not all at the same time, to prevent people from getting tired of taking photos for Instagram. The lack of marine culture in Italy and among those who frequent the sea is also noted, with the hope for education to the sea from those who sell and rent boats, category associations, and leagues.

The need for an education to the sea is emphasized, with the belief that those who go to sea should be inclined by choice to greater education and respect for the sea itself. Corsica has taken a step in this direction, applying a total ban on anchoring for yachts over 24 metres, causing a significant drop in presence along the Corsican coast and benefiting the Costa Smeralda. Corsica has chosen to defend Posidonia meadows, with a Corsican port operator accepting a loss of traffic this summer for environmental preservation.

However, Italy has not been explicitly mentioned as taking measures to protect Posidonia meadows. On Spargi island, up to 6,000 tourists arrive daily, with umbrellas, bags, food, and reckless behaviours including feeding wild animals for a selfie. The La Maddalena Archipelago has a concern among nautical operators about potential restrictions by the Park Authority that could affect their ability to work in the park's waters.

The association has provided a more recent photo of the same cove with a less crowded and more regular distribution of boats at anchor. The photo in question showed boats moored in an authorized area, but gave the impression they were in prohibited zones. The association also suggests ensuring mooring on mooring buoys where damage to Posidonia can be caused, as written in the decree establishing the Park 30 years ago.

The contradiction between the freedom that boats represent and the overcrowding they often cause in coves is a challenge that needs to be addressed. Education and clear rules are key to ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable experience for both tourists and locals in the beautiful waters of La Maddalena National Park.