Greece has formally enacted legislation designating Gyaros as a marine protected area, securing long-term safeguards for one of the Aegean’s most important wildlife habitats, according to ekathimerini.com. The move was confirmed by WWF Greece, which described the signing of the presidential decree as a “decisive milestone.”
The decree establishes clearly defined protection zones and introduces concrete management measures, replacing earlier provisional arrangements. Located northwest of Syros, Gyaros is a crucial refuge for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and supports one of its largest populations.
“This permanent framework can ensure that the island’s natural wealth is preserved over the long term, while also supporting, through this protection, the local communities of the Northern Cyclades,” WWF said in a statement.
Although the designation had been pending since 2018, conservation efforts have been underway for over a decade. WWF and more than 50 organisations have studied the island’s ecosystems, implemented conservation strategies, and introduced tools such as a remote surveillance system, active between 2015 and 2023.
These initiatives have contributed to noticeable environmental recovery, including improved marine and land habitats, rising fish populations, and the protection of rare species like the monk seal and the Yelkouan shearwater.
“Gyaros proves that when we join forces around a common vision, nature protection and sustainable development become reality,” said Dimitris Karavellas, general director of WWF Greece.
Today, the area is managed by Greece’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency in cooperation with the Coast Guard, offering a model for future marine conservation projects.
Source: ekathimerini.com
