"There are over 30,000 boats, vessels and pleasure ships that visit the marine area of the La Maddalena National Park every year." This was stated by the director of the same, Giulio Plastina, during a conference organized last October 13, as part of the "Abba Fest" event.

A considerable number for a marine area of considerable size, if we consider that the period of greatest frequency is concentrated in the months of July and August and that most of these frequencies are not distributed throughout the area but strongly concentrated in some parts of it, from the port of Madonna to the beach of Santa Maria, from Cala Coticcio, to Caprera, to Cala Corsara, to Spargi for example. These data are even more significant if we consider that there are 26 traffic units that carry out passenger transport services, whose load capacity is equal to 4,250 people per day. To these activities are added approximately 300 that operate in the sector of rental and leasing of nautical pleasure craft, with a total of approximately 900 pleasure craft divided between boats and vessels. Then we must add the 20 scuba diving centers that operate with 34 nautical vehicles, the 14 snorkeling activities and the 8 sailing schools that operate with 184 boats and vessels. And it should be noted, continued Director Plastina, that the data given "are not in fact real because at least 40-45% of the data relating to pleasure boaters who arrive in the Park's waters without authorization and who navigate and stop there without authorization are missing."

It is easy to imagine what this “invasion” of such a precious and delicate marine ecosystem causes . In addition to the (inadvertent) removal of sand by bathers, the plowing and tearing of oceanic posidonia, the heavy noise pollution, the release of organic substances and engines into the sea, there is also the large production of waste, starting with plastic, as the ecological clean-up campaigns, carried out by volunteers, demonstrate.

"The terrible year for the waters of the Park, the year of chaos, was 2022," said director Plastina, "and you will remember some videos and photos that circulated on the net with the image of the Porto della Madonna invaded by boats and ships of all kinds." The numbers for the following years, 2023 and 2024, were lower but still very significant .

And so the question that arises is whether similar situations can continue in this way and for long or whether more or less severe measures should be taken to limit and further regulate the presence in order to guarantee an environment and an ecosystem which is - it is worth remembering - the primary source of the tourist economy of this part of Sardinia.

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