G

r

e

e

c

e

:

1

5

,

0

0

0

k

m

o

f

c

o

a

s

t

l

i

n

e

t

o

p

r

o

t

e

c

t

Greece has the fastest-deteriorating environment and poorest marine conservation status in Europe, caused by overfishing, pollution, coastal development, unsustainable tourism, invasive species and marine traffic.  

In the past three years Blue Marine has been leading a transformative conservation effort to restore the health of the country’s territorial waters. In partnerships with numerous environmental NGOs, governmental institutions, and local communities we have launched more than ten projects across Greece. Their focus has been the creation of new marine protected areas (MPAs), strengthening the management of existing ones, and safeguarding vital habitats and species.   

We have continuously increased our work here since 2018, when Greek fishers travelled at Blue Marine’s invitation to our flagship conservation project at Lyme Bay in England. A significant breakthrough came in 2024, when the Greek government made an unprecedented commitment to expand its MPA network from 20 per cent to 32 per cent, and announced a gradual ban on bottom-trawling within all MPAs by 2030 – the first in Europe.  

As we keep up the momentum in Greece, next steps include a monitoring and enforcement plan for the recently protected islet of Formicula, home to monk seal and groupers, a stronghold of biodiversity in the heart of the Ionian. Alongside this, we aim to launch a five-year management plan for Amorgos, in collaboration with the Fishers’ Association of Amorgos, Cyclades Preservation Fund and the Agricultural University of Athens and a campaign to replicate the island’s inspirational ‘Amorgorama’ model.  

Blue Marine’s innovative programme in Greece aims to recover fish stocks, protect endangered species and preserve carbon-trapping seagrass beds.