The sea flora consists mainly of Posidonia and Caulerpa racemosa while the fauna has a rich variety as: Symphodus roissali, Serranus cabrilla, Scorpaena scrofa, Muraena helena, Coris julis, Aphia minuta, Pelagia noctiluca and others.

It was decided to keep a navigational light, and the task was given to the Augustinian monks of the hermitage of San Jacopo in Acquaviva by Livorno and a written agreement signed for the work.

On the south side of the tower is the Latin inscription: “Pro navigntium securitate ad latentes copulo evitandos” (For the sailors' safety pay attention to the reef).

The first Battle of Meloria, on May 3, 1241, was fought between the fleet of the emperor Frederick II, in alliance with Pisa, against a Genoese squadron and ended with a Pisan and Imperial victory.

On 9 November 1971, a Royal Air Force Lockheed Hercules C.1 crashed into the sea off the coast of Livorno on the Meloria shoal, killing all 46 passengers and 6 crew.