Report on the Establishment of New Marine Parks in Greece

Introduction and Strategic Overview

The government of Greece has announced the establishment of two significant new national marine parks located in the Ionian and South Aegean Seas. This initiative, declared by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, serves a dual purpose: advancing national environmental protection mandates and asserting Greece’s position on maritime zones amidst regional diplomatic tensions.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

The creation of these marine parks is a direct and substantial contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

Exceeding International Conservation Targets

The initiative positions Greece to surpass its international commitments ahead of schedule. Key points include:

• The establishment of the parks will enable Greece to achieve its goal of protecting 30% of its territorial waters by 2030, a target aligned with global biodiversity frameworks that build upon SDG 14.5 (conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas).
• These protected areas will be among the largest in the Mediterranean, setting a new standard for marine conservation in the region.

Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Measures

The parks are designed as vast refuges for marine life, directly addressing SDG 14.2 (sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts). A critical component of this strategy is the complete prohibition of bottom trawling within the park boundaries, a destructive fishing practice that severely damages seabed habitats and biodiversity.

Governance, Partnerships, and Institutional Strength

Integrated Monitoring and Surveillance

To ensure effective management and enforcement, the parks will be subject to a robust surveillance system, reflecting a commitment to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). This system, managed by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (OFYPEKA), will utilize a combination of advanced technologies:

1. Drones
2. Radar systems
3. Satellite imagery

A Multi-Stakeholder Approach for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The project emphasizes a collaborative model, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The government will work in close cooperation with a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure the parks are examples of effective and inclusive conservation. These partners include:

• Local communities
• Local fishermen
• Scientists
• International partners

Park Specifications and Geographic Scope

Ecological Foundation and Designation

The boundaries of the marine parks were determined through Specific Environmental Assessments (SEAs), ensuring they are based on rigorous scientific and ecological criteria. The parks integrate and expand upon existing protected areas within the European Natura 2000 network.

• The Ionian National Marine Park incorporates 24 existing Natura 2000 sites.
• The South Aegean National Marine Park includes 18 existing Natura 2000 sites.

Scale and Environmental Impact

The final designated area for the parks exceeds initial projections by 25%, demonstrating an enhanced commitment to marine protection. The total protected area now covers approximately 27,500 square kilometers.

• Ionian Marine Park: Approximately 18,000 km²
• South Aegean Marine Park: Approximately 9,500 km²

This large-scale protection initiative is a significant step towards preserving marine ecosystems, restoring ecological balance, and safeguarding Greece’s marine heritage for future generations, contributing broadly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article’s central theme is the creation of two new national marine parks in Greece to protect the marine environment. This directly aligns with SDG 14, which aims to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” The Greek Prime Minister’s statement, “to honour this unique maritime heritage and protect it for future generations,” and the goal to “preserve ecosystems, restore balance and set a bold new standard for marine protection” are clear commitments to this goal.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article highlights the collaborative approach Greece intends to take in managing these new marine parks. This connects to SDG 17, which focuses on strengthening partnerships to achieve sustainable development. The text explicitly states an intention of “Working with local communities, local fishermen, scientists, and international partners,” which embodies the multi-stakeholder partnership model promoted by SDG 17.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration…

• The creation of the marine parks is a direct action to manage and protect marine ecosystems. The article states the parks “will become vast refuges of life beneath the waves” and “will also help to preserve ecosystems, restore balance.” This demonstrates a clear effort to achieve the objectives of Target 14.2.

Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and destructive fishing practices…

• The article specifies a key regulation within the new parks: “the highly destructive practice of trawling will be banned.” This measure directly addresses the call to end destructive fishing practices, which is a core component of Target 14.4.

Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas…

• The article explicitly mentions Greece’s commitment to this target, stating the new parks will allow the country to reach its goal of “protecting 30 per cent of its territorial waters by 2030 much earlier than originally planned.” This surpasses the original 10% target and aligns with the more ambitious ’30×30′ global conservation framework.

Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

• The implementation plan for the parks, as described in the article, is based on collaboration. The statement, “Working with local communities, local fishermen, scientists, and international partners, we will make these parks examples of what is possible,” is a direct reflection of the multi-stakeholder partnership approach advocated for in Target 17.17.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicator 14.5.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

• The article provides specific quantitative data for this indicator. It states the total area of the new parks is “about 27,500 km2” and that this contributes to the national goal of “protecting 30 per cent of its territorial waters by 2030.” These figures can be used to directly measure progress.

Indicator related to Target 14.4: Implementation of measures to eliminate destructive fishing practices

• While not a formal UN indicator number, the article provides a clear, measurable action: “In the national marine parks, trawling will be completely banned.” The enforcement and geographic extent of this ban serve as a direct indicator of progress towards eliminating a destructive fishing practice.

Indicator related to Target 14.2: Implementation of ecosystem-based management

• The article implies progress through the description of the park’s design and monitoring. It mentions the parks are based on “Specific Environmental Assessments (SEAs)” and integrate numerous “Natura 2000 sites.” Furthermore, the plan to monitor them using an “integrated surveillance system – including drones, radar, satellite imagery and more” indicates a comprehensive, ecosystem-based approach to management.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: euronews.com