Environmental Challenges and Triumphs

Corsica's relatively late development spared it many environmental disasters that befell other Mediterranean coasts. Large stretches remain pristine, supporting ecosystems extinct elsewhere. The Corsican red deer, saved from extinction, now thrives in coastal maquis. Monk seals, Europe's rarest mammal, find refuge in isolated caves. Audouin's gull nests on offshore islands. The island's waters support groupers, red coral, and noble pen shells in abundances vanished from most Mediterranean locations.

Yet challenges mount. Summer tourism concentrates millions of visitors on accessible beaches, straining infrastructure and ecosystems. Pleasure boating explodes, with anchors damaging posidonia meadows that stabilize sediments and nurture fish. Coastal development, though controlled, incrementally nibbles at wild spaces. Climate change brings new threats: invasive species, altered currents, and rising temperatures that stress endemic species.

Corsica's response mixes regulation with innovation. Marine protected areas cover significant portions of the coast, with the Scandola Reserve and Bonifacio's marine park leading protection efforts. Sustainable tourism initiatives encourage longer stays and off-season visits. Traditional products—from bottarga to sea urchins—command premium prices that support artisanal fishing. Environmental education programs connect young Corsicans to their maritime heritage.