A monitoring and management network for wild marine animal species is being established

The country’s decades-long suspended status comes to an end, after several months of consultation with environmental organizations and scientific bodies, the Ministry of Environment and Energy has established the first national coordinated network to monitor and manage marine wildlife species.

In particular, through the inter-ministerial decision signed by the Minister of Shipping and Islands Policy, Yannis Plakiotakis, Hon. Finance Minister Theodoros Skilakakis, Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Giorgos Amiras, and Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Simos Kidikoglu set out the framework for dealing with volcanic eruptions in a scientific way for four categories of types:

● Cetaceans

● Seals

● sea turtle

● Chondrichthyes (Sharks, Stingrays, Rays, Chimaeras)

Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Giorgos Amiras, said: “We all remember the story of the small-beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) that washed up in the waters of Attica in January 2022 and we are all touched by the struggle it was waging to survive with our help.

Today, after two years, the country has the mechanism and scientific protocols to deal appropriately and promptly with such incidents, which unfortunately are not rare in the Mediterranean seas.

Only on the Greek coasts, 1000 turtles, 250 animals (dolphins and whales) and 25 seals are washed up every year based on information collected by the port authorities, the veterinary school of AUTH, ELKETHE and the relevant NGOs. We at the Ministry of Environment are going step by step and building a protective shield to protect biodiversity.”

As it became known, according to KYA in addition to the €1.5 million secured funding through the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization (O.FY.PE.KA) and from YMEPERAA 2021-2027 programs (Official B ‘2566/2022):

● Four specialized Spill Management Teams (one for each group of species) have been established to manage spills in the field. Detection, rescue and sampling are the area of ​​responsibility of the four groups.

● Create an adequate infrastructure with mobile units for short-term first aid, care and management of marine mammals in the field.

● An integrated information system for recording spills is being established so that, based on the data collected, measures can be taken to protect marine animals and public health.

● It is recommended to use a bank sample for the purpose of investigating morbidity and mortality.