The Mediterranean is a particular place. It corresponds to just 1% of global seas, yet it hosts a staggering biodiversity in relation to its size. In fact, it is recognised as one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the planet. It is the cradle of some of the most ancient civilisations, and continues to this day to be a source of life for millions of people. 

The main tool for the protection of life in the Mediterranean sea are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The benefits gained by their effective management, as is the case with terrestrial protected areas, are not limited to the natural environment alone. On the contrary, they concern and impact human wellbeing in many ways. 

Αn effective management system for protecting the areas of the highest ecological value and also to conserve plant and animal species threatened with extinction is the European Natura 2000 network. 

In Greece, marine and terrestrial Natura 2000 sites are legally recognised as Protected Areas. In the case of Greece, where the sea characterizes and influences every aspect of our lives, the network of marine sites of the Natura 2000 network has an even greater value. Through these areas, very important, rare and endangered marine species have a protecting status, such as the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), cetaceans species (including dolphins), sea birds and unique and valuable marine habitats, such as Posidonia meadows, coral reefs, and red corals.

The effective protection of these sites – apart from benefiting the marine environment  – can have a positive impact on the conservation of fish stocks, thus also contributing to the sustainability of fisheries, a very important sector for our country’s island and coastal communities. In parallel, these sites can emerge and become a key attraction for low-impact and high value tourism and thus further support the sustainable development of local communities.

Despite the existence of a legal framework and availability of management tools, only a very small number of MPAs have legally-established conservation measures (including zoning) in our country: the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades, the Kyparissiakos Bay and the island of Gyaros. Most marine Natura sites are currently “paper” MPAs. It has been estimated that only 1.3% of marine surface covered by MPAs in Greece have a management plan, while only 0.14% of national waters is covered by fully protected areas.  Additionally, even in cases where conservation measures have been legally established, their implementation and enforcement is very often inadequate and lacking. 

In addition to fulfilling its current legal obligations, Greece has committed to expand the legal protection of marine and coastal areas to 30% in the form of MPAs by 2030, ensuring at the same time that MPAs will not be paper parks but effectively managed networks with established protection measures.

Given these legal obligations and political commitments assumed by Greece, at WWF Greece together with our partners we develop proposals and apply pressure to the Greek government for an effective Marine Protected Areas network and its expansion to 30% including strict protection by 2030. More specifically, we work on raising political awareness, increasing political visibility and fostering social acceptance of the 30x30 target and contributing to strengthening Greece’s policy and legal framework to enable the achievement of the 30x30 target including 10% strict protection. 

At the same time we closely monitor legislative developments and play an active role in public debates and consultations. In partnership with other NGOs, we implement targeted political interventions, submitting proposals guided by science-based knowledge, and we propose solutions, ultimately aiming at implementing effective protective measures for species and habitats within protected areas.

We also have our feet in the water! We work in the field for strengthening the effectiveness of key Marine Protected Areas. On the island of Gyaros, home to more than 10% of the global population of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), we created in 2019 a model MPA in partnership with coastal fishers and other key stakeholders. Since then, our field team works on supporting the protection of this unique ecosystem. On the other side of Greece, in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, Sekania beach has been a symbol of our action for the protection of marine wildlife in Greece for more than 30 years. This small beach is the most important loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting habitat in the Mediterranean.