MEDASSET would like to express its satisfaction on the recent visit of the environmental inspectors to Kyparissia Bay in order to assess whether the regulations of the Presidential Decree are being adhered to. The Ministry of Environment & Energy takes a step forward for the protection of Kypariassia Bay and we hope that adequate measures will be undertaken to efficiently cope with the violations that downgrade the natural environment and biodiversity of this unique area. It’s worth highlighting that Kyparissia Bay is the second largest nesting site in the Mediterranean for Caretta caretta sea turtle and one of the most important sand dune ecosystem in Greece. To ensure the site is effectively protected, the development and implementation of a Management Plan is urgently required.
MEDASSET is a permanent member-observer to the BERN Convention (Council of Europe) since 1988, reporting every year to the EU the long standing violations with respect to the most important nesting sites in the Mediterranean. In relation to Kyparissia Bay the Committee emphasized the urgency that the Greek authorities cooperate with the relevant civil society organisations and provide concrete evidence of a thorough implementation of the Presidential Decree and its provisions for the development of an Action Plan funded by the EU LIFE programme and of all operational paragraphs of Recommendation No. 174 (2014).
The national authorities are requested to keep the Bureau and Standing Committee informed on the progress in the implementation of Recommendation No. 174 (2014).
The Committee kept the file open.
