Μaritime professionals protecting their "Home"
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
SEA GUARDIANS is a new program for healthy seas focusing on the collection of data on marine protected species and pollution hot spots. It is coordinated by the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) and implemented in collaboration with AENAOS THALASSA, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A) and with the scientific contribution of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki/ Ichthyology Laboratory of the Department of Biology. This is an initiative funded by the Green Fund under Priority Axis 3 "Innovative actions with citizens" of the funding program "Natural Environment and Innovative Actions 2021".
The aims of the program will be pursued through the training of those involved in maritime activities, professionals and amateurs, including fishermen, skippers, crews and other boat users, Hellenic Coast Guard Officers etc. on marine environmental awareness, fishing and sea tourism, through a series of specialized seminars and workshops. More specifically the program includes:
- A series of webinars on the marine environment, fishing and sea tourism;
- Focused laboratory (e-lab) for the target groups;
- Interactive two-day training for fishermen with seminars, workshops and underwater cleanup;
- Two-day Conference in the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades, an emblematic marine region, marking a great opportunity to promote future synergies and sharing lessons learned from Greece and abroad.
Additionally, an e-Observatory will be launched to promote citizen science and collect valuable scientific data for the protection of marine life and pollution prevention. Specifically, a mobile app will be developed and made freely available to fishermen, Coast Guard Officers, pleasure craft users and passengers in order to identify and record marine protected species and / or sources of pollution that they encounter during their work or voyage and then forward this information to the scientists in charge of the project.
Finally, it is worth noting that the SEA GUARDIANS program focuses on the Marine Protected Areas of Greece, at an extremely critical period in which the Special Environmental Impact Studies are being finalized, and the publication of the respective Presidential Decrees and Management Plans will follow concerning the protection status and focus of the NATURA 2000 sites.
You can find more information in the program’s webpage: https://www.sea-guardians.gr/
