Press Release Important Shark & Ray Areas (ISRAs)

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Putting the sharks on the map of the Mediterranean!

iSea had the pleasure to host 26 global and regional experts within the five-day workshop on Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs), organized by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group.

During the workshop over 180 experts contributed online and in person to the process of mapping critical habitats for sharks, rays, and chimaeras in the region, based on the best available science to identify regions across global waters most critical for the long term survival of the species.

From these, 85 are now candidate ISRAs and will undergo an evaluation by an Independent Review Panel before they are finalized.

In addition, the participants visited the auction market of Nea Michaniona and were informed about the shark and ray species that are caught, landed and sold in the area, while with the support of SANI Resort they visited Sani, where they were informed about the area and our collaboration.

Find out more about the aims and outcomes of the workshop here.

Participation in the public consultation for the Special Environmental Study concerning the Natura 2000 Areas of the Regional Units of Corfu, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Lefkada and Zakynthos.

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iSea together with Tethys Research Institute, Blue Marine Foundation and Ionian Environment Foundation submitted their comments to the public consultation on the Special Environmental Study concerning Natura2000 Areas of the Regional Units of Corfu, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Lefkada and Zakynthos.

During the last two years, iSea has been studying the habitat of Posidonia in the Ionian Sea with the aim of mapping it, assessing its health and the carbon potential they store, as well as the local biodiversity hosted by Posidonia meadows.

All the data we have collected along with our proposals for the implementation of management measures for the island of Formikoula in order to protect the area as an important habitat for the Mediterranean monk seal, Posidonia meadows, as well as marine mammals, seabirds, groupers etc. have been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Energy and have been included in the Special Environmental Study.

The Special Environmental Study for the area seems complete, including all priority species of the area, as well as measures for their proper management. However, alien species that occur in the area, are omitted, without these being mentioned in the relevant measures, as well as research, monitoring, and management actions that are of major importance for the conservation of the area.

Find our common comments with Tethys Research Institute, Blue Marine Foundation, and Ionian Environment Foundation on the public consultation here.

A small drop in the middle of Ionian Sea!

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Formicula islet, covering only about 400 m2, is just a “drop” in the wider Inner Ionian Archipelago. Despite its small size, this islet provides a key habitat for the Mediterranean Monk Seal, the only seal present in the Mediterranean and one of the most endangered marine mammal species in the World.

In addition to monk seals, the area is of enormous ecological importance for Poseidonia meadows and other marine species, such as small mammals, birds and groupers.

Despite its high importance, no protection measures are in place…yet!

 

iSea, Tethys Research Institute, Blue Marine Foundation together with the Municipality of Lefkada during the last year are in communication for the protection of the area with the Ministry of Environment and Energy and Mr. Giorgos Amyras. As a result, the proposed management measures for the protection of Formicula an islet are included in the Special Environmental Study of the area which is now in public consultation. However, the long bureaucratic procedures for the enforcement of Formicula’s protection are cause for strong concern because of the adverse effects that such delay may have on the Mediterranean Monk Seal population in the islet and wider Ionian Sea. With the start of the busy tourist season, some irresponsible visitors seek to swim with the seals, sometimes even entering the caves. Τhe latter is of key importance for the reproductive success and well-being of these endangered animals.

We are glad to see that effective conservation measures for the protection of the area were included in the Special Environmental Study and we hope that they will be included as they are in the corresponding Action Plan. Nevertheless, the clock is ticking! There is no time to be wasted. We call for the immediate adoption and enforcement of measures for the protection of the area before summer, before it is too late!

 

Webinar Invitation

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As part of the “Know-Participate-Protect the Environment” project, iSea and The Green Tank invite you to a training seminar on “Media as informative and intervention tools” aimed at informing the participants the use of media as information and communication tools. Read more

Webinar Invitation

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As part of the “Know-Participate-Protect the Environment” project, iSea and The Green Tank invite you to a training seminar on “The power of volunteering: Actions and results” aimed at enhancing citizen participation in public debates and decision-making on environmental issues. Read more

Training Seminar in Athens

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As part of the “Know-Participate-Protect the Environment” project, iSea and The Green Tank invite you to a training seminar on “Citizens’ participation in environmental policy-making – Recent developments in tackling marine plastic pollution” aimed at enhancing citizen participation in public debates and decision-making on environmental issues. Read more

Training Seminar in Mitilini

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As part of the “Know-Participate-Protect the Environment” project, iSea and The Green Tank invite you to a training seminar on “Citizens’ participation in environmental policy-making – Recent developments in tackling marine plastic pollution” aimed at enhancing citizen participation in public debates and decision-making on environmental issues. Read more

Press Release “Prosfero” – Spinalonga

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In the context of “Prosfero” project, a common venture between iSea, P&G and AB Vasilopoulos for cleaner greek coasts and beaches, on the 5th of November 2022, we visited Spinalonga and made a coastal clean up happen.

We would like to thank the Municipal Port Fund of Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Tours for their support.

You can find the press release here.

Training Seminar in Crete

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As part of the “Know-Participate-Protect the Environment” project, iSea and The Green Tank invite you to a training seminar on “Citizens’ participation in environmental policy-making – Recent developments in tackling biodiversity loss” aimed at enhancing citizen participation in public debates and decision-making on environmental issues. Read more