Islands Without Frontiers

Islands Without Frontiers

The first example of a rich marine environment protected in cooperation by two countries: Italy and France

Thousand of tourists from all over the world flock every summer to the beautiful mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia.

They mainly gather in the region called the "Bouches de Bonifacio" by the French, and "Bocche di Bonifacio" by their Italian neighbours.
This is a sea channel extending from northern Sardinia to the southern tip of Corsica, dotted with granite islands fringed by beaches of white sand, and covered by pristine Mediterranean 'maquis' scrub.
The water is crystal clear and its turquoise and emerald colours reflect the light granite boulders eroded into bizarre shapes by the wind and sea.

No wonder this idyllic area attracts the jet-set yachts (and everyone else's dinghies) by the hundreds. Vacationers of every description crowd its beaches, and its bays resound to the splashes of boats of every kind.
But look more closely at these packed holiday scenes and you will see sole and bream sand-feeding among sun-tanned legs, rare seafaring birds hovering above children playing volley-ball, and wild boars wandering close to beach barbecues.

In fact, the "Bouches" attract not only people but wild animals too. The area is at the crossroads of many birds' migratory routes and its waters, swept by changing winds and currents, are rich in nutrients that attract a multitude of marine life. Throughout the year fauna and flora are both abundant and unusual, as so often on and around islands.

The wildlife riches of the "Bocche" persuaded both Italian and French authorities to establish huge protected reserves in their respective domains. These reserves are now coming under a single International Park spanning both countries, making it the first example of a protected marine area crossing political borders.

Completed November 2003

52'

Co-produced with NDR Naturfilm - Hamburg.