* Since 1990, MEDASSET has surveyed and reported on a staggering 7.300 km. of coastline from Sardinia to the NE Aegean and from the Ionian Sea to the Shores of Egypt and Libya. This unique information has been made public and has provided invaluable information about the life history of sea turtles in the Mediterranean. MEDASSET's research projects have been co-funded and supported by a number of national and international bodies including the EU, the United Nations Environment Programme (RAC/SPA/UNEP/MAP), WWF/UK, Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF/UK), Herpetofauna Conservation International/UK (HCI), and the British Chelonia Group (BCG).

* Since 1988, MEDASSET has been present as an Observer at The Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution and its Protocols: Barcelona Convention Meetings, and also at the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats: Bern Convention meetings. At Bern meetings it has been continuing to present yearly reports with recommendations to the various Governments, exerting pressure for change regarding five Mediterranean turtle nesting areas: Zakynthos and Kefalonia in Greece, Patara and Dalyan in Turkey, and Akamas in Cyprus. It is thanks to these efforts that the files remain open exerting pressure for positive results.

* In March 1998, MEDASSET was asked by the Stazione Zoologica - "Anton Dohrn" in Naples (Italy), to assist the Aquarium of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco with the return of a young Hawksbill turtle to its natural habitat. MEDASSET co-ordinated the necessary actions between the involved parties of several countries (France, Italy, Portugal). "Oceania" was successfully released in Madeira, Portugal, on the 23rd October, with the help of the University of Madeira. With wide coverage in the press and on TV, this example of successful international collaboration between the partners produced an excellent public awareness project.

* Following a reception at the Chilean Ambassador's residence the 10th Anniversary of MEDASSET, was celebrated with a Musical Fund-Raising Evening, Buffet Supper and Raffle in the gardens of the Vorres Museum of Modern Art near Athens (24th June 1998). The event was held under the auspices of 26 Embassies, the Mayor of Athens, the Co-ordinator of UNEP/MAP and the Mayor of Paiania. The artists donated their performance in an international programme of songs, accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra of the City of Athens, whose appearance was by courtesy of the Mayor of Athens. The event was attended by over 500 people, and was considered by all to be a great success.

* In August 1998, MEDASSET commissioned an independent wildlife consultant to conduct a preliminary assessment of the status of the endangered soft-shelled Turtle (Trionyx triunguis), on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. A small new habitat of the species was found at Patara. The report included detailed recommendations to the Turkish government, for future conservation and management, and was presented at the Bern Convention Meeting at the Council of Europe in 1998. Further research is being planned for 1999.

* A 1998 independent assessment was made for MEDASSET of conditions at the Turkish nesting beaches of Dalyan and Patara, for a report to the Council of Europe Bern Convention Meeting, which was presented, together with recommendations to the Turkish Government, in December 1998.

* On two occasions, 1995 And 1998, research on the beaches of Libya was carried out in collaboration with RAC/SPA/UNEP/MAP, WWF International, the Libyan Marine Research Centre and the Libyan Technical Centre for Environmental Protection. Important nesting beaches were discovered. Recommendations were made to the Libyan Government regarding the conservation needs of the area. Further research is needed.

* Financial support was given to the Glasgow University Marine Turtle Research Group Project in 1993 to 1996, for research on the nesting beaches of north eastern Cyprus and in 1998 for the Telemetric Monitoring of Green Turtles from those beaches. As a result of the earlier work important nesting beaches for Green and Loggerhead turtles were found, and the Telemetric Monitoring provided very interesting results.

* Complementing its extensive research program, MEDASSET has played a significant role in the constitution of the legal framework for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean, and especially Greece. As a consequence, protection laws were drafted for Laganas Bay on the Greek island of Zakynthos, which has one of the largest nesting populations of Loggerhead Turtles in the Mediterranean. MEDASSET's annual complaints to the EU (since 1994) for non implementation of national, international and EU protective legislation, by the Greek State in Zakynthos, finally proved effective in 1998 with the decision made by the EC to take the Greek State to the European Court of Justice. Hopefully now the Government will make some kind of effort.

* In 1997, MEDASSET in collaboration with the Stazione Zoologica - "Anton Dohrn", in Naples (Italy), organised the release from the Greek island of Kefalonia of "Paola", a rehabilitated injured loggerhead sea turtle fitted with a satellite transmitter. The event was televised, filmed, and reported world-wide. Subsequent adventures caused great public interest, and "Paola" will in 1999 feature in a GPS exhibition in London's Science Museum. By tracking such movements we are learning more about the routes used by turtles and identifying key for ageing and over wintering areas, for use in marine fisheries by-catch and other protective legislation.

* A very successful fund-raising concert, entitled "Musical Celebration for Man and the Environment", was held in collaboration with the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature and the National Heritage, at the magnificent Athens Concert Hall on 15th May 1997. The Programme of music with an ecological theme delighted a packed audience of 1900, and was broadcast live on both TV and Radio. It featured the NET TV orchestra, a Chorus of 30 singers, a Concerto for 3 Pianos, and a narration of Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf". 

* "EuroTurtle", Europe's first Scientific and Educational Sea Turtle Web site was developed in 1996/97 in collaboration with Exeter University (UK), and the Kings College, Taunton (UK). The web-site proved to be an award winning success, and was visited 21,000 times in 1998. 

* In 1997 MEDASSET initiated an international 4 year campaign to increase public awareness of the Impact of "Small Garbage" on the Marine Environment. The campaign is gaining momentum with articles in a number of International Publications, leaflets and posters. Projects are being developed in support of this campaign.

* Support was provided for projects and activities which included Tourist Awareness Projects at three Eastern Mediterranean Tourist Destinations (1993 & 1996) in collaboration with King's College, Taunton, and the six year (1989-1995) Monitoring of Incidental Catches of Turtles on Swordfish Long Lines in Greek Ionian Waters with the help of local fishermen and in collaboration with Archipelagos. 

* A survey of the Egyptian Mediterranean coast between Alexandria and the Libyan border at El Salum was carried out in 1993, co-funded and in collaboration with RAC/SPA/UNEP/MAP and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt. Recommendations to the Egyptian Government arising from the project brought about the introduction of Egypt's first environmental legislation in 1994.

* In 1990 and 1991 MEDASSET carried out surveys for potential nesting beaches in Sardinia (Italy), and the Northern Aegean Sea (Mainland and Islands) (Greece), both co-funded by the EU, and on the coast of Syria, co-funded by HCI and MEDASSET. In Sardinia no nesting was indicated due to tourist pressures, Syrian nesting beaches were badly polluted with little nesting, and the Northern Aegean was indicated to be climatically unsuitable for nesting.

* MEDASSET continues to propagate the understanding and knowledge of the Mediterranean sea turtle to the public, through Exhibitions, regular appearances on National and International TV, Radio, Press and Media, through tens of thousands of printed leaflets and documents disseminated world-wide and by lecturing at Universities, Colleges, Schools, etc. Participation was maintained and papers given at all relevant National and International Meetings world-wide. The lobbying of governments and authorities to enforce or to generate protective legislation continued throughout. .