Greece Administers Endangered Sea Turtle Study
- Written by Maria Athens
The European Commission has repeatedly requested Greece to further secure Messinia's Kyparissia Bay in the Peloponnese, which is the natural habitat for Caretta Caretta endangered sea turtles.
The Environment Ministry now plans to protect the western Peloponnese coast from illegal development. Kyparissia Bay has been determined as the second largest nesting area of the turtles in the entire Mediterranean region. Medasset and Archelon environmental nonprofit organizations have been working tirelessly to shield the coast from predators, but needs additional assistance from governmental mandates for proper protection.
The Environment Ministry is scheduled to launch an environmental analysis on the coastal dunes and marine environment of the Bay. Environment Minister Nadia Giannakopoulou described the study, "Once it is completed, we will be able to draw up a presidential decree that will set out all of the terms for the protection of and the measures for managing the entire coastal area that needs to be protected," according to Kathimerini.
The European Commission is frustrated at Greece, as it has consistently not obeyed environmental protection protocols. The Environment Ministry's goal is to cease planned legal proceedings against the nation with its new plan.
