9 Years iSea: Our Team Celebrates Another Year Full of Challenges and Successes

Thessaloniki, March 12th 2025

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Since 2016, the environmental organisation iSea is systematically working for the preservation of the aquatic ecosystems, with dedication to protect and restore marine biodiversity in Greece and the Mediterranean. Year 2024 marked a year full of challenges, but also significant successes, during which our projects, actions, and relentless efforts of our team brought us closer to achieving meaningful changes. Guided by the goals of our Strategic Plan and staying true to our values, once again this year we contributed to increasing scientific knowledge, promoting science-based policies, and mobilizing local coastal communities for active participation in environmental protection.

The past year highlighted the passion of iSea team and the power of collaboration. However, we could not have achieved these results without the support of the stakeholder groups actively involved in every step we take. Fishers, educators and students, volunteer groups, tourism industry, and municipalities are just a few of you who share our concerns and take action, making a difference.

“At the end of 2024, the long-awaited Ministerial Decision for the implementation of measures aimed at the strict protection of Formicula Islet in the Inner Ionian Archipelago was issued. However, the measures remain insufficient for the effective protection of the Marine Protected Area, as they still do not include regulation of fishing activities. On the other hand, the organization of the European Elasmobranch Association Conference in Greece for the first time proved to be a milestone for promoting stronger collaboration aimed at better conservation of sharks and rays,” emphasizes Ioannis Giovos, Conservation Officer of iSea.

Other significant steps for biodiversity protection in our country included the update of the sharks, rays, and chimaeras list for the Greek Red List, after 15 years, and for the first time in the country, the tagging of alive angel sharks, a Critically Endangered species. Meanwhile, over 200 Citizen Scientists participated in mass biodiversity monitoring efforts, Bioblitzes, and the professional fishers we collaborate with removed over 180 tons of litter items from the seafloor of the Aegean Sea.

These are just a few of the results of our hard work and joint actions with partners that reinforce our commitment to preserving aquatic ecosystems.

For more results, as well as to celebrate our work and your contribution to it, we organize our annual birthday party on Sunday, March 16, at 18:00, at MID studio, Georgiou Vizyinou 65, Thessaloniki!

Find more details on what we accomplished in our 2024 Impact Report

Our birthday party is held with the support of: Pernod Richard Hellas, Voulgari Winery, and Progress Market Lagkada - S. Kasapakis - G. Trifinopoulos.