The lagoon and surrounding reed beds are the largest wetland in Corsica, and are protected as a nature reserve.

[3] In 1991 the site was recognized as being of international importance as a habitat for water birds, particularly coot, pochard and tufted duck.

[6] It is classed as a type 1 Zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique (ZNIEFF), and as a European Union Natura 2000 site.

[4] A fortress built when Corsica was under Genoan rule on the Ischia Nova islet in the reserve now houses an eco-museum.

[6] Large numbers of grebes, cormorants, ducks, geese and swans breed and winter in the reserve, which is also home to reptiles such as Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) and mammals such as long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii).

[4] Professional fishermen continue to exploit the lagoon, taking almost 100 tonnes each year, but follow a management plan that prevents over-fishing.

Pelagic fish are also caught at night with static gill nets 300 to 500 metres (980 to 1,640 ft) long, particularly in winter, and include commercially valuable species such as wolffish and sea bream.