Lemnos is in the North Aegean Sea with a total area of 476 km2 and 263 km total coastline length. The capital city of the island, Mirina, is located in the western part, while the population of the island is more than 16,000 permanent residents. The northeastern part of the island hosts the Natura2000 site named “Chortarolimni - Limni Alyki kai Thalassia Periochi” and covers an area of 183.2 km2, and contains one of the largest cohesive meadows of Posidonia oceanica in Greece (a priority habitat according to the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC).
In 2022, iSea with the support of Blue Marine Foundation produced the most detailed available mapping of the meadow in Northeast Lemnos. Unique features of the site’s coastal area are the presence of various sand dune habitats and three salt pans, one of which, “Aliki”, is the largest natural salt pan in Greece. These ponds are considered natural habitats of community interest according to Annex I Directive 92/43/EEC.
Loggerhead sea turtles are present in the area (Strachinis, 2016), with one unsuccessful nesting attempt (false track) recorded, and juvenile carapaces found and reported in the region, indicating that the local meadows are potential nursery grounds for the species (Kasparek, 1991). The list of marine species of interest contained in the database of the Natura2000 site is extensive. Specifically, 19 species are recorded in the region. The area is also considered important for birds, and it is characterised as “Important Bird Area" (IBA). In addition, the area was recently characterised as “Area of Interest” for sharks and rays and especially for the Critically Endangered (CR) Angelshark species: Sawback Angelshark and Angelshark.
The site has no major threats as middle-scale fisheries (vessels >17 meters) aren’t using the area of interest as a fishing ground, with almost zero fishing effort documented for the past ten years according to Global Fishing Watch. In this extended coastline, there’s only a small port “Port of Plaka” hosting ~40 small-scale fishing boats, using the meadow for fishing.
The local economy is more dependent on agriculture, livestock and local fisheries (220 professional fishing vessels present), rather than tourism, which is however increasing in the past few years. The island is also a well-known location for recreational activities, such as fishing and kitesurfing, with many tourists in the last years visiting Lemnos in order to visit the small desert located in the northwestern part of the island.
Therefore, Northeastern Lemnos is an area of great importance for further research and actions which could set the roadmap for a Marine Protected Area more extensive than the Natura2000 area, enhance the protection of marine ecosystems and, finally, promote ecosystem-centred development. iSea wishes to contribute to this vision.
Actions for 2023
You can find our past work in the area below:
You can find the project's reports below:
Collaborators
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Funders
