The issue concerns both sailing boats and motorboats (sailboats, yachts etc.). They vary in size and speed, and cover different routes. Their traffic is more intense during the summer and they usually remain close to the coasts.

In the summer months, a large number of pleasure boats are concentrated in the Pelagos Sanctuary area, mainly along the coast. The boats can be classified by type (inflatable, semi-rigid and ‘open’ pleasure boats) and power source.

A recent study conducted in France, for example, counted some 39,000 pleasure boats in the vicinity of the Ile de Porquerolles during the 2007 summer season, with over 400 boats per afternoon at peak times. 

Threats

Disturbance, ship strikes, pollution (macro waste, hydrocarbons, black and grey waters), greenhouse gaz emission (motorboats).