Press Release 5 Αpril 2012
Greece: Uncontrolled development in the Southern Gulf of Kyparissia, the second most important Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach in the Mediterranean, continues. The local authorities’ and the State’s inexcusable delay in taking appropriate measures are imminently threatening the second most important nesting area – after Zakynthos- for Loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Despite assurances by the Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MoEECC), the construction of 50 luxury houses is still in progress near the shore between the areas of Ayannaki and Elaia, in the southern part of Kyparissia Bay, in the Peloponnese. Over the past few days, the construction of five roads with direct access to the nesting beach has been destroying one of the country’s few remaining well- preserved sand dune systems (photos 1, 2 & 3). Construction of the roads by KOTINOS S.A. began in April 2011, destroying a large part of the dune system and indigenous vegetation, while several trees in the coastal forest of Elaia were put down (photos 4 & 5). No Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) were carried out for any of the above mentioned illegal actions, although EIAs are a prerequisite for sites such as Thines Kyparissias (GR2550005) which belongs to the European Network of Protected Areas NATURA 2000. Since August 2010, MEDASSET has been updating the Bern Convention and the European Union, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MoEECC) and has submitted complaints regarding the lack of protective measures for sea turtles in the ecologically important area between Kalo Nero and the river Neda, which belongs to the EU NATURA 2000 Network since 1996. Despite interventions from environmental organizations, like MEDASSET and by informed citizens, destruction of the area continues with the Trifylia Municipality’s consent. Construction of the 50 luxury houses near the shore requires the construction of roads that must firstly be legally approved by the municipality of Trifylia. Also, both the Municipality of Trifylia and the construction company KOTINOS S.A do not appear to have provided the Environmental Inspectors of the MoEECC with any clear answers regarding the legitimacy of segmenting the area for the purpose of issuing the relevant permits for building the luxury houses; or if the necessary EIAs have been carried out by the construction company in question. Even though a Special Environmental Study (SES) along with the draft Presidential Decree, which includes a Management Plan for the area, were submitted to the Ministry by ARCHELON in 2003, its update is still pending. Furthermore, none of the demolition orders issued by the Public Real Estate Agency (Land Registry) of Messinia have been implemented and illegal constructions in the area (cantines, bars, wooden decks) remain undisturbed (photo 6).
The Southern Bay of Kyparissia is of immense ecological value, as in addition to the well- preserved dune system and rich adjacent coastal forest, it hosts on average 526 Loggerhead sea turtle nests annually, the second largest population in the Mediterranean after the island of Zakynthos. April 2012
Photo 1.
Photo 2.
Photo 3.
Construction of five roads with direct access to the nesting beach goes on. Îœarch 2012
Photo 4. Photo 5. Several trees in the coastal forest of Elaia were put down.
Photo 6. Illegal cantine remains undisturbed
April 2011
Photo 7.
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Photo 9.
Road construction started in April 2011
MEDASSET - the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles, founded in 1988, is an international NGO registered as a charity and private company in the UK and as a Non Profit Organisation in Greece. MEDASSET plays an active role in the study and conservation of sea turtles and their habitats throughout the Mediterranean, through scientific research, environmental education, political lobbying and raising public awareness. The Organisation has been a Partner to the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of UNEP and a Permanent Observer-member of the Bern Convention at the Council of Europe since 1988. In 2009, MEDASSET was awarded Partner status for the implementation of UNEP’s Action Plan for the Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean.