Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy has submitted the draft Presidential Decree establishing the South Aegean 1 – Southern Cyclades National Marine Park to the Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court. Following the court’s review and opinion, the relevant Presidential Decree will be issued.

According to an official announcement, “with this step, the government is consistently moving ahead, with a clear plan and at a rapid pace, to fulfil the commitment made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Our Ocean Conference in Athens in April 2024 to establish two National Marine Parks, in the South Aegean – Southern Cyclades and in the Ionian Sea”.

“The adoption of the Presidential Decree is a flagship initiative to protect the country’s natural marine capital. It creates a coherent institutional framework that supports biodiversity conservation alongside the sustainable development of island communities, strengthens the implementation of national and European nature policies, and makes a decisive contribution to fulfilling Greece’s international commitments to protect our seas,” the announcement adds.

The area covered by the marine park

The South Aegean 1 – Southern Cyclades National Marine Park encompasses 73 island and islet groups. It includes the terrestrial Natura 2000 sites on the inhabited islands of Milos, Kimolos, Folegandros, Sikinos, Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonisi, Kinaros and Levitha, as well as the adjacent maritime area of the South Aegean Region within Greece’s territorial waters.

The park also incorporates 18 marine and terrestrial areas already included in the Natura 2000 network. Its marine area exceeds 9,000 sq km, while its terrestrial area covers more than 250 sq km.

With the establishment of the South Aegean 1 – Southern Cyclades National Marine Park, a total of 8,407.14 sq km of marine area will be placed under protection, in addition to the marine areas already protected under the Natura 2000 network.

Protecting Mediterranean biodiversity

The area is one of the Mediterranean’s most important centres of marine and island biodiversity.

The park is home to 37.5% of Greece’s Mediterranean monk seal population, equivalent to 19% of the global population. Its rich underwater habitats, including Posidonia seagrass meadows, coral reefs and deep-sea ecosystems, also serve as key breeding grounds for other marine mammals, including cetaceans, as well as fish and invertebrates.

In terms of birdlife, the park contains breeding habitats supporting 17.7% of Greece’s national population of Eleonora’s falcon, 12.5% of its European storm petrel population, 11% of its Cory’s shearwater population, 36% of its Audouin’s gull population and 13% of its European shag population.

A unified framework for protection and management

The draft Presidential Decree establishes a unified framework for protecting and managing both land and sea. For the first time, it clearly and comprehensively defines the activities permitted in each of the 196 protection zones across the terrestrial and marine areas.

It also provides for management measures to be specified in the Management Plan, including appropriate financial support for fishers affected by fishing restrictions.

Measures at sea

The proposed measures for the marine area include:

• A complete ban on bottom-contacting towed fishing gear, including trawlers, with provision for compensation for affected fishers.
• A fishing ban from 15 April to 31 May within 0.5 nautical miles of the coast, with the possibility of reassessing the measure through the Management Plan.
• The incorporation of successful measures from the “Amorgorama” initiative, with corresponding measures to be introduced in the area around Cape Santorini.
• Gradual restrictions on uncontrolled anchoring in areas containing Posidonia seagrass meadows and other sensitive marine habitats, including reefs.
• The continuation and, where possible, strengthening of traditional activities, including livestock farming, beekeeping and small-scale coastal fishing, which have been practised for thousands of years. At the same time, dry-stone walls, terraces, cisterns and other elements of the islands’ cultural heritage will be maintained and showcased as part of the park.
• Unrestricted permission for activities, projects and infrastructure serving exclusively national defence purposes.

Greece aims to exceed the EU’s 30% marine protection target

In a statement, Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou said:

“Greece is moving forward with a plan and determination to protect marine life in areas under our national sovereignty. With the establishment of the South Aegean 1 – Southern Cyclades National Marine Park, followed by the Ionian National Marine Park, Greece is expected to exceed the European target of protecting 30% of its seas before its 2030 commitment, reaching more than 35% and placing the country at the forefront of marine environmental protection in Europe.

“We are moving ahead rapidly to safeguard the unique biodiversity of the Southern Cyclades, while also supporting local communities and the sustainable development of our islands. Protecting our marine wealth is a responsibility we owe to our homeland and to future generations.”