Trapani and Paceco salt ponds

Sunrise at the Salt ponds of Trapani and Paceco (Salina Salinella)
Sunset (Salina Chiusa),on the left, the old tower of Nubia and the Egadi island on the background
Marsh and salt ponds  area at the Salt ponds (near Salina Salinella)
Pile of Salt harvested and left on the leeves of the salt ponds (Salina Calcara)
A flock of Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), an old mill on the background and Favignana Island
A flock of Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber)
Cynomorium coccineum on Stagnone di Marsala Islands (Isola Grande)
Calendula incana subsp.  maritima on Stagnone di Marsala Islands (Isola Grande)
Myriolimon ferulaceum on Stagnone di Marsala Islands (Isola Grande)
Scrophularia frutescens on Stagnone di Marsala Islands (Isola Grande)
Limonium hyblaeum on Stagnone di Marsala Islands (Isola Grande)

Trapani and Paceco salt ponds

  • Country: 
    Italy
  • Site number: 
    2329
  • Area: 
    971 ha
  • Designation date: 
    19-10-2017
  • Coordinates: 
    37°59'N 12°30'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Located in western Sicily, Trapani and Paceco Salt Ponds is one of the most important wetlands for millions of birds crossing the 140-kilometre-wide Strait of Sicily during their migration to and from Africa. Some 224 bird species have been recorded at the Site, with many of them threatened and protected including the endangered saker Falcon Falco cherrug and Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus. The Site is of great importance as a resting and feeding ground, and the number of breeding species has increased since the establishment of the Natural Reserve in 1995. The biodiversity of the area has benefited from the ancient traditional production of sea salt, as demonstrated by the high numbers of bird and plant species – some rare or unique – as well as insects and amphibians. The Site’s ancient mills and unique landscape, which bear witness to the historical salt production, have remained intact despite the threats of urbanization and industrialization.

Administrative region: 
Sicily

  • National legal designation: 
    • National Decree designation Ramsar Site (DM 04.04.2011) - Saline di Trapani e Paceco
    • Natural Oriented Reserve - Saline di Trapani e Paceco
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    08-02-2018

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents