1. The first survey and assessment of marine turtle nesting activity on the mainland coast of Lebanon, in collaboration with RAC/SPA (UNEP/MAP) and the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment.
2. A follow-up assessment (3rd year) on the status of the three important
green turtle (Chelonia mydas), nesting beaches on the southern shores
of Turkey, highlighting tourist impact, pollution and Industrial/commercial
development, for a report to the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention.
Green turtles are the sea turtle species under most severe threat
of extinction in the Mediterranean.
3. Research survey for the endangered soft-shelled brackish water
turtle Trionyx triunguis in the Nile Delta, Egypt, in collaboration
with the Friends of the Environment of Alexandria (FOEA).
4. Phase III of public awareness assessment and campaign regarding sea turtle predation and exploitation amongst the fishing community of Alexandria, Egypt, in collaboration with FOEA.
5. Maintaining for the 18th year, our overview of the situation on the loggerhead turtle nesting beaches of Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece, with subsequent lobbying. Collaboration with the Management Committee during the creation of the Zakynthos National Marine Park.
6. Research, preparation and presentation of the updated follow-up yearly status assessment reports on Zakynthos in Greece, Patara, Dalyan, and Green Turtles, in Turkey, for the Bern Convention Meeting at Council of Europe (Strasbourg), November 2001.
7. Publication of the redesigned MEDASSET Greek language quarterly magazine, "Turtle Dives".
8. Major upgrading of the award-winning Scientific and Educational
Web site "EuroTurtle" on the Biology and Conservation of
Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean, in collaboration with Exeter University
and Kings College, Taunton in the U.K.
9. Finalisation and distribution of an Educational Kit in Greek and
English, entitled "The Mediterranean, A Living Sea", as
part of our programme of education and environmental awareness in
schools around the Mediterranean.
10. Continuation of the volunteer programme, in situ at the offices
of MEDASSET Gr. in collaboration with universities, schools and other
youth organisations from Greece and abroad.
11. International Action Campaigns
A.. Soda Chrome factory pollution of the green turtle nesting beach and sea with Chromium waste at Kazanli, Turkey. An ecological disaster!
B. Continuation of support for local NGO "VSPCA" against Indian Navy development of a Naval Museum and installation of decommissioned naval vessels on the olive ridley marine turtle nesting beach of Visakhapatnam, India.
C. Continuation (5th year) of the national and international Awareness and Action campaign on the detrimental effects of "small garbage" on the marine environment.
12. Facilitate MBA research by University students from:- Stirling, Bournemouth, Greenwich and York Universities in the UK.
13. Publication of the "Legal Research Guide to International and Regional Fisheries Regulation of the Mediterranean", by Environmental Legal Consultant Larry Miranda, on the "EuroTurtle" Web Site: http://www.ex.ac.uk/telematics/EuroTurtle/medas/law.htm
14. Continuing enlargement and organisation of MEDASSET's significant Mediterranean Sea Turtle Resource Centre.
15. Participation at several national and international conferences and meetings, particularly the "First International Marine Turtle Conference" in Rome, Italy, (October 2001), with papers and poster presentations concerning MEDASSET research and work. Other meetings have been scheduled to take place in USA, France, Italy, Spain, etc.
16. The development of activities to raise funds, grants, donations and organisation of various events in order to be able to pursue the work and goals of MEDASSET.