Scientific research is permitted within the marine protected area, subject to authorisation by the managing body.
The authorisation request for carrying out the activities referred to in the previous paragraph must be accompanied by an explanatory report on the following topics:
type of activity and research objectives;
parameters analysed;
study area and sampling plan, with location of sampling and analysis stations;
means and equipment used for sampling and analysis;
research schedule and personnel employed.
The collection of organisms and samples is permitted for study purposes only, subject to authorisation by the managing body.
The authorisations referred to in the previous paragraphs 1 and 3 are issued against a declaration of commitment by the applicant to provide the managing body with a technical-scientific report on the activity carried out and on the research results, as well as a copy of the publications resulting from the studies carried out, in which the collaboration with the marine protected area must be cited, as well as consent to the managing body to use the data resulting from the research for institutional purposes, with the sole obligation to cite the source.
The authorisation request to carry out scientific research must be submitted at least 15 days before the planned start date of the activity.
Technical and scientific activities aimed at monitoring the quality of the marine environment must be carried out in compliance with the methods set out in the operational protocols established by the Ministry in the context of the activities undertaken, in implementation of the regulations in place for the protection of the marine-coastal environment.
Scientific research programmes in the marine protected area coordinated by the Ministry are permitted, subject to communication to the managing body and to the competent maritime authority at least 10 days before the start of the activities, providing the same information as referred to in the previous paragraph 2. At the end of the activity, the applicant must provide the managing body with a technical-scientific report on the activity carried out and on the research results, as well as consent to the managing body to use the data resulting from the research for institutional purposes, with the sole obligation to cite the source.
Within the framework of scientific research programmes for the monitoring and management purposes of the marine protected area, specific assignments may be entrusted by law to institutes, bodies, associations or external organisations, as well as to experts of proven professionalism.
For the purpose of issuing the authorisation, with a maximum annual validity, for the carrying out of scientific research activities in the marine protected area, applicants must pay the managing body a fee as a secretarial charge, according to the methods indicated in the following art. 35.
