Greece’s PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated his commitment to create two new marine parks, one in the Ionian Sea and the other in the Southern Cyclades, during a video message on Monday.
Mitsotakis said the parks will be among the largest marine protected areas in the entire Mediterranean.
“Last month at the UN Oceans conference on France’s Mediterranean coast, I made a promise to honour that unique marine heritage — and to protect it for generations to come.
“Today I am delivering on that promise with the establishment of two new Marine National Parks – one in the Ionian Sea, and the other in the Southern Cyclades, in the iconic Aegean,” he remarked.
The Greek PM proceeds with his plan despite opposition from Turkey, which disputes Greece’s sovereignty to create a marine park in the Aegean. Last month, Ankara unveiled its own controversial maritime map, which effectively slices the Aegean in half.
“The sea has always been Greece’s silent force. It is part of who we are — shaping our civilization and our history, feeding our people and nurturing our spirit,” Mitsotakis said.
He added that the maritime parks will allow Greece to meet the target of protecting 30 percent of its territorial waters by 2030, way ahead of schedule.
Greece’s marine parks were inspired by the “Ocean” documentary
“They will be vast sanctuaries for life beneath the waves. They will also help to preserve ecosystems, restore balance, and set a bold new standard for marine conservation. And perhaps most importantly, inside these marine zones the hugely damaging practice of bottom trawling will be banned,” Mitsotakis stressed.
He admitted that his vision for the marine parks was inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s new documentary “Ocean”.
“This is a profoundly moving film, but one that both informs and inspires. And it reminded me, as I hope it reminds all of us, that the sea is not just beautiful scenery. It is life itself. Delicate. Powerful. And under threat.
“Sir David’s film deepened my commitment to go beyond managing the sea — to reimagine our relationship with it. Not as owners. But as custodians. We will protect, yes. But we will also educate, collaborate, and lead.
“Working with local communities, local fishermen, scientists, but also global partners, we will make these parks examples of what is possible. By doing this, Greece can be a voice for the sea, in Europe, but also beyond.
“Because when we protect our ocean, we protect our own future,” Mitsotakis stressed.
Related: How A New Marine Conservation Initiative Could Save the Greek Seas
