Greece has unveiled a 780-million-euro program aimed at safeguarding biodiversity and marine ecosystems through the establishment of two large marine parks. The announcement was made at an international oceans conference in Athens, where Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the country's commitment to expanding marine protected areas and implementing measures to combat harmful fishing practices.
The proposed marine parks, to be located in the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea, will increase the total area of protected waters to over 30% of Greece's maritime territory. While the initiative has been praised for its efforts to enhance environmental conservation, some environmental organizations have raised concerns about the need for stronger commitments to protect marine life.
Greenpeace, in particular, has urged conference attendees to take concrete actions to prevent the exploitation of the world's oceans. The organization highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as deep-sea seismic exploration in sensitive marine environments, including the Hellenic Trench, which serves as a critical habitat for marine mammals.
Greece's Minister for Environment and Energy emphasized the importance of balancing environmental protection with economic considerations, stressing the need for investments in sustainable practices. However, the country's plans for marine parks have sparked tensions with neighboring Turkey, which has accused Greece of using environmental issues for geopolitical purposes.
Despite the diplomatic friction, Greece remains committed to its environmental goals and the establishment of marine parks as part of a broader strategy to address the challenges facing the world's oceans. The international conference in Athens serves as a platform for global collaboration in combating climate change and promoting marine conservation efforts.
