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Author: Nikolaos Simantiris,PhD – Project Officer at MEDASSET Journal: Cleaner Waste Systems, Volume 7, April 2024, 100128 pp:10
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The fundamental conclusion of the Decisions adopted this year by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Council of Europe) is that the most important sea turtle nesting beaches in Greece are not adequately protected, even though they have been designated Protected Areas for many years now. MEDASSET’s on-the-spot surveys and the related presentations of its findings given at the 43rd Meeting of Parties that took place in Strasbourg (27 November – 1 December), revealed that both Laganas Bay in Zakynthos and Kyparissia Bay are under immense pressure from human activities, which have not been sufficiently controlled year on year. Specifically, illegal activities, such as: the chaotic navigation of vessels at sea, the operation of unlicensed businesses, human presence either within ‘no entry’ zones or within restricted hours, and the construction of new roads within the protected area, all threaten the habitat of Laganas Bay. One example is the case of an illegally constructed road within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos for which a fine of €200,000, imposed on those responsible, by the Regional Authority of the Ionian Islands back in 2018, was, in May of 2022, reduced to […]