Issue No.10 July 2011 - April 2012
Care + Information= Results! It was in 2008 that we were alerted by tourists visiting the Alghero Aquarium in Sardinia, Italy. They reported about the appalling conditions under which two loggerhead turtles were held at the Aquarium. The Born Free Foundation also followed the tourists’ email complaints. We immediately contacted the curator of the Naples Aquarium at the “Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn” (SZN) in Naples, Dr. Flegra Bentivegna for help. The two turtles were held at the Aquarium, respectively, for 30 and 20 years. The turtles were seized at last in 2011 by the local authorities and were transferred to Oristano, Sardinia, to the Sinis Rescue Centre (CRES) at the IAMC-CNR laboratory (Institute for Coastal Marine Environment - National Research Council) and placed in a 3,000 lt. rehabilitation tank. Both turtles were suffering from malnutrition, were underweight, their shells were covered with algae, parasites and injuries. The absence of natural sunlight in the subterranean structure where the two turtles were kept in captivity in a small tank, caused them to have calcium assimilation deficit. Since rehabilitation started, their weight has increased, their diet is regular in quantity and quality. The turtles will soon be transferred to a 14,000 lt. tank for locomotory rehabilitation and their pre-releasing phase. CRES plans to release the turtles in the future and to monitor their migratory routes through satellite tracking in collaboration with the SZN. When people care enough to pass along information, then we can act!
IN THIS ISSUE -Care + Information= Results! -Promoting Conservation Policies in Albania -First Satellite Tracking Programme in Albania Completed! -23 years of Advocacy at the Bern Convention Meeting -Zakynthos, Greece: The Eternal Problems Continue... -Campaign: Turtles in Trouble in Fethiye, Turkey -The Turtle Odyssey Conference -Education -Events -Racing for the Sea Turtles! -Dive into Conservation -Ocean 2012 Coalition -Latest from Kyparissia
Lily Venizelos President MEDASSET IUCN MTSG Member
-Sea Turtle Stamps -MEDASSET Greece: New Board of Directors -Latest Publications -Volunteers -Gift Shop
1
Promoting Conservation Policies in Albania During the project "Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds in the Patok Area of Albania 2008-2010", we identified the factors that constrain sea turtle conservation in Albania and key threats to the species and their habitats. An assessment of the existing national legal and institutional framework was also carried out in October 2010. In conjunction with the 2008-2010 research results, these elements were synthesised into a workable and enforceable "Action Plan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles and their Habitats in Albania", as well as some "Management Recommendations for Drini Bay".
Left to Right: Mr. E. Halimi (Head of Fauna, Flora & Soil Sector, Ministry of Environment), L. Venizelos, Dr. P. Abeshi (Director of General Directorate of Policy, Ministry of Environment), Mr. Atef Ouerghi (Marine Biology Expert, RAC/SPA), Prof. Dr. I. Haxhiu (President of Herpetofauna Albanian Society)
During July-December 2011 we contacted Albanian stakeholders and experts and requested their feedback. In October 2011, we organized a workshop in Tirana to discuss the proposed documents. Representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water Administration (MoEFWA) and the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) of UNEP's Mediterranean Action Plan, Albanian university professors and researchers, fishermen and local NGOs attended the meeting and provided their comments, highlighting the importance of the implementation of the Action Plan and the Recommendations. The reviewed Action Plan was submitted to the MoEFWA in January 2012 and is expected to be adopted within the year.
The Action Plan is available online in English and in Albanian and aims to serve as a roadmap for the development of sea turtle monitoring and protection throughout Albania. To read the "Management Recommendations for Drini Bay" which were also provided to the MoEFWA click here. The activity was implemented in collaboration with the MoEFWA, with financial support from the MAVA Foundation (Switzerland) and under the auspices of the Barcelona Convention and the RAC/SPA of UNEP/MAP. MEDASSET will follow up on the adoption of the Action Plan and further assist the Albanian Government in promoting sea turtle research and conservation activities.
Racing for Sea Turtles! John doubled the distance; will you help him double the funds?
On June 10th, John Flynn will be racing again for MEDASSET's sea turtle conservation projects, in the Wicklow Cycling Challenge in Ireland. Last year John completed the 100 km race and the crowd responded donating over ÂŁ380! This time he will be doubling the distance and cycling the 200km race. If you wish to support John and help him reach his target, please click here.
Dive into Conservation! A new short film about our wondrous marine biodiversity
Special thanks to our volunteers Marina Mitro and Enerit Sacdanaku for their valuable help before and during the workshop!
First Satellite Tracking Programme in Albania Completed! The second year of the project "Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds in the Patok Area of Albania 2008-10" included satellite tracking of three Loggerhead turtles. On September 12th 2009, in Patok, two male turtles and one female were fitted with transmitters that allowed the project team to follow their movements for two years. The programme achieved its aim by providing evidence that turtles return to Drini Bay interannually, including the exact timing of this return. The data provided from the three turtles has helped to reinforce proposals for Drini Bay to be recognised as a nationally and regionally important foraging and developmental habitat for sea turtles in the Mediterranean, and highlighted the need for these endangered species to be protected effectively under Albanian law. You can find more information on the migration of the turtles and maps at "Turtle Tracking"
The 45 second Public Service Announcement "Dive into Conservation" was aired in the summer of 2011 on 26 major TV channels in Greece and Cyprus. The vibrant animation explores the inextricable link between the sea, human kind, and biodiversity, engaging its audiences with dazzling images. It aims to raise awareness of the need for environmental protection, and invite the public to take an active part in conserving Life on Earth. "Dive into Conservation" was created for MEDASSET by Thopis, a talented animator, and its production was sponsored by Dolphin Capital Foundation (DCF), a charitable entity 2
on our website. A scientific paper is also in preparation, providing a detailed analysis of the study. A Special Thanks to the 2008-10 project funders and the "adoptive parents" who supported the satellite tracking programme and the presentation of its results internationally through our "Adopt the Turtle" scheme.
dedicated to helping local communities in areas where it invests. You can view the animation here. The short film will soon be shown in more countries in the Mediterranean, so look out for it!
Latest from Kyparissia
23 years of Advocacy at the Bern Convention Meeting MEDASSET attended the 31st Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats - the Bern Convention - at the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, France, 29 Nov. - 2 Dec. 2011. Following our intervention at the Meeting regarding the illegal activities and developments at the nesting beaches in Southern Kyparissia Bay, Greece, which holds the second largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting population in the Mediterranean after Zakynthos island, Greece, the Delegate of the European Commission (EC) to the Bern Convention, reported that on October 28th 2011, the EC sent a Letter of Formal Notice to the Greek government asking it to present its views regarding infringements described in MEDASSET's complaint (August 2010) and the initial legal assessment made by the Commission, within 2 months. MEDASSET will continue to follow up the situation in Kyparissia and keep the European Union (EU) and the Convention updated. On November 29th, we wrote to the Chair of the Bern Convention Standing Committee requesting an on-the-spot appraisal of the site by the Convention as soon as possible.
Despite assurances by the Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MoEECC), the construction of 50 luxury houses is in progress near the shore. Over the past few days, the construction of five roads with direct access to the nesting beach has been destroying one of Greece's few remaining wellpreserved sand dune systems, and indigenous vegetation, while several trees in the coastal forest were put down. 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 which belongs to the European Network of Protected Areas NATURA 2000.
The following Update Reports were submitted to the Bern Convention: Sea turtle mortality in the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) of Episkopi and Akrotiri (Cyprus). 30th August 2011. Available here. Development plans in Kyparissia Bay, Southern Kyparissia (Western Peloponnese, Greece). September 2011. Available here. Update on loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) conservation monitoring in Fethiye, Turkey. December 2011. Available here.
Several trees in the coastal forest of Elaia were put down
Furthermore, none of the demolition orders issued by the Public Real Estate Agency have been implemented and illegal constructions in the area (cantines, bars, wooden decks) remain undisturbed.
3
Zakynthos, Greece: The eternal problems continue... In mid July 2011 following a delay of nine months, the Greek Ministry of Environment Energy and Climate Change (YPEKA) finally released the necessary operational funds to the Zakynthos National Marine Park (ZNMP) from the EU co-funded Operational Programme "Environment and Sustainable Development" (EPERAA).
Tourists on sea turtle spotting boats are not informed of the Park’s good behaviour and cautious monitoring code in the marine area
The funds covered salaries owed to ZNMP staff since November 2010, and should cover running costs and activities of the Park Agency for the next 5 years. The delayed disbursement of funds, however, had already caused problems to the Management Agency and to the Protected Area (PA) of the Park during the summer nesting season.
Insufficient patrolling of the marine part of the ZNMP, the construction of an illegal parking lot in the core of the PA behind Daphne nesting beach, the construction of an illegal underwater stone breakwater in front of Marathonissi islet, an overall decrease in the number of nests and the highest ever recorded number of dead, stranded turtles comprised some of the major problems in 2011.
Despite the European Commission's intervention (Reasoned Opinion sent to the Greek Government regarding violations on EU waste management legislation) on illegal landfills in Greece, the saturated and illegal landfill continues to operate within the ZNMP and has been further expanded by the construction of two illegal additions. Local competent authorities have yet to clarify when and where a new landfill will be located, while they claim that the existing one will continue to operate in the area "legally" until 2015! Nesting in summer 2011 was significantly reduced (786 nests in total) compared to the previous two years. The high number of dead turtles (45 in total) in 2011 was indicative of the numerous violations recorded in Laganas Bay. Twenty-seven dead turtles were predated by monk seals (Monachus monachus) (based on data collected from ARCHELON). The loss of such a large number of adult turtles may irreversibly affect the loggerhead population that reproduces in Zakynthos. MEDASSET continues to monitor and assess conservation measures at the ZNMP for the 25th ongoing year and to update on all illegal activities, in order to mobilise all relevant stakeholders for the Park's effective protection. In September 2011, the illegal underwater stone wavebreaker in the Marathonissi islet was removed with the participation of MEDASSET.
MEDASSET is happy to be part of the Ocean 2012 coalition
Dedicated to ensuring that the 2012 reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy stops overfishing, ends destructive fishing practices and delivers fair and equitable use of healthy fish stocks.
Sea turtle stamps of Greece
On February 21, 2012, the Hellenic Post Office issued the definitive set of stamps "Riches of the Greek Seas". Ten species are depicted, one of which the Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), shown above. MEDASSET has obtained a small amount of Loggerhead stamps and is making them available to philatelists and sea turtle enthusiasts around the world through our website, where you will also find a Loggerhead sea turtle stamp issued by the Hellenic Post Office in 1990 and other sea turtle Philatelic memorabilia. The world's first sea turtle stamp was issued by the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean in 1932. By 1990, sea turtles had been featured on 284 issues in 77 countries. To date, 1,600 stamps have been issued in 194 countries featuring sea turtles.
4
Campaign: Turtles in trouble in Fethiye, Turkey Unplanned construction and developments to accommodate tourism have resulted in serious nesting decline since 1993 in Fethiye, one of the most important loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting sites in Turkey. In response to MEDASSET's campaign against the relocation of the shipyard/drydock currently situated within Fethiye town, to the very middle of Fethiye's Akgöl nesting beach, the Co-Chairs of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Chair of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention wrote to the Turkish authorities requesting that the proposed location of the new shipyard be rejected.
July 2011. Fethiye, SPA. Çalış. Excavator digging ditches at the upper part of the beach during the nesting and hatching period.
In August 2011, we visited Fethiye for the second time that year to assess the conservation and management measures that the Turkish authorities had committed to implementing during the nesting season. Beach furniture management, litter, light pollution and the presence of people and vehicles on the beaches at night still pose a threat, and remain unresolved. Some measures were only partly implemented, while others have damaged or could potentially damage the natural profile of the beaches and hinder nesting and hatchling emergence success. However, some valuable steps in the right direction were made in 2011 and, if these measures are sustained and improved in the following years, the downward trend could be altered. To find out more, read our update report that presents the assessment, the most serious problems recorded and a list of recommendations. The report was submitted to the Bern Convention, the Turkish Authorities, the EU, UNEP/MAP, UNDP Turkey, international and Turkish NGOs.
MEDASSET Greece: New Board of Directors In response to current needs in the field of environmental conservation, MEDASSET-Greece is expanding its activities. With the support of the new 7-member Board of Directors and based on the revised priorities set out in the amended Constitution, we will continue our mission: the study, protection and conservation of sea turtles and their ecosystems in the Mediterranean, through the development of marine ecosystem monitoring and management, new research, educational projects and activities involving volunteers at national and international level.
Read about our project in Albania on SWOT
To read more about the campaign, click here.
The "Turtle Odyssey" Conference The 4th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles was organised in Naples, Italy, during 7-10 November 2011 by the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, in collaboration with the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas of UNEP's Mediterranean Action Plan. The Conference is supported by the Secretariats of the Barcelona, Bern and Bonn Conventions, which are deeply involved in sea turtle conservation in the Mediterranean. The theme of the Conference was the "Turtle Odyssey" inspired by Ulysses’ long journey across the Mediterranean Sea. This special event, which occurs every three years, aims to be an occasion for sharing experiences, outcomes achieved and knowledge acquired among those committed to sea turtle research and conservation in the Mediterranean. Under the expert Presidency of Dr. Flegra Bentivegna (Curator of Naples Aquarium), the Conference was an immense success: over 130 sea turtle researchers, NGO representatives, conservationists, students and national authority representatives exchanged and discussed scientific findings, threats, current conservation efforts and education projects.
Latest Publications "Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) foraging at Drini Bay in Northern Albania: Genetic characterisation revealed two new haplotypes." Can Yilmaz, Oguz Turkozan, Fevzi Bardakci, Michael White, Esmeralda Kararaj. (In press) Acta Herpetologica 7(1): 43-x "Fethiye: Turkey's Turtles in Trouble!" Lily Venizelos & Liza Boura. (2011) Marine Turtle Newsletter 131:32-34 "Monitoring an Important Sea Turtle Foraging Ground in Drini Bay, Albania". Michael White, Liza Boura & Lily Venizelos. (2011) Marine Turtle Newsletter 131:34-38
5
As a keynote speaker of the Conference, Lily Venizelos, spoke on the subject of: "MEDASSET's Approach to Sea Turtle Conservation: Bridging Gaps in the Mediterranean". A pleasant surprise was in store, when the Conference organisers and supporters honoured Lily, Dimitris Margaritoulis, General Secretary of ARCHELON; and Andreas Demetropoulos, Chairman of Cyprus Wildlife Society, "for pioneering sea turtle conservation in the Mediterranean". MEDASSET gave one oral and six poster presentations showcasing the results of our conservation and research projects in the Mediterranean.
V stands for Valuable!
RETURN TO THE HOMELAND: Figure riding a sea turtle, probably depicting an ancient Greek fable similar to Ulysses' Return to the Homeland (Nostos) Metope from Heraion at the mouth of the Sele River, 560-550 B.C. Paestum: Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Education "Join in and Clean Up!" campaign In 2011 MEDASSET launched the "Join In and Clean Up" campaign in partnership with Coca-Cola HBC Greece and Coca-Cola Hellas under their programme "Mission Water". The campaign aims to raise public awareness in the areas of waste reduction, proper disposal, and recycling, and to encourage community involvement, especially among schools and youth groups. It aims to bring together central government agencies, port authorities, local communities and civil society, in order to achieve common goals. Every year, millions of marine animals and sea birds die worldwide as a result of consuming marine debris in our seas and oceans. The "Join In and Clean Up" campaign has successfully completed 15 beach clean-ups in eight locations all over Greece, mobilising 4,162 volunteers who helped remove 4,525 kilos of debris from 21.4 km of coastline. Debris collected were mostly cigarette butts and small, degraded pieces of plastic - as well as various larger items. All the garbage collected was sent either to landfills or recycling units.
Volunteer participation hit an all time high in 2011! Perhaps it is only a coincidence that 2011 was also the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (lYV+10) and the European Year of Volunteering. Twelve Greek, eight Americans, including several self-motivated people from Turkey, the UK, Hungry and Belgium all took action and joined our project in the Athens office! Thank you to Jessica, Thanos, Valentina, Paris, Robert, Dionysia, Teresa, Effie, Catherine, Lea, Marina, Nina, Gala, Katie, Mehmet, Roula, Anastasia T., Ilia, Fotini, Anthi, Konstantinos, Anatasia M., Bailey and Karissa! If you would like to volunteer for MEDASSET please get in touch with Konstantina at konstantinakostoula@medasset.gr or visit the volunteer section of our web site.
Like our Page and keep up to date with our campaigns, educational programmes, and events!
The campaign will continue in 2012 with the support of UNEP/MAP.
Environmental education Kit in Arabic, now available online! "The Mediterranean Sea, a Source of Life" is an original and unique Environmental Education Kit for schools and youth groups. The original Greek version of the Kit was adapted, translated, reproduced into English and Arabic and hard copies were distributed to schools and educational institutions bordering the Mediterranean.
Join our YouTube Channel and check out our latest videos!
Be in the loop! Join our LinkedIn Group!
A tool for teachers and educational group leaders, aiming to engage 6-12 year old children from all over the Mediterranean region in creative activities, instilling knowledge, environmental values, and a sense of regional identity and responsibility.
6
The 50 page Kit includes: maps, fact sheets and activity sheets for 6-9 and 10-12 year old children, an "Educator's Guideline" booklet with evaluation sheet and bibliography. The Kit was produced in collaboration with the Hellenic Children's Museum and Kaleidoscope Publications and financial assistance from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, UNEP/MAP (Greece). RAC/SPA (MAP)(Tunisia). and the Prince of Wales Foundation (UK). You can download it free of charge here. To obtain a hard copy of the Kit in English or Greek, visit our online shop.
"Niretta the Caretta" Facts: Since 2008, our award winning environmental education and awareness raising programme "Niretta the Caretta" has visited 21 private and public schools and foundations, 15 youth festivals and appeared twice on 2 major Greek TV stations. Niretta raised awareness and educated at least 7800 kids, their parents and educators.
Events "The Mediterranean we Share" MEDASSET held an online amateur photography competition, between November and December 2011. One hundred and thirty-eight photographers submitted 350 photographs, an online public vote narrowed the field down to 60 images. A judging committee consisting of marine scientist and underwater photographer, Yiannis Issaris, artist Achilles Drougas, and Director of Collections at the National Gallery of Greece, Dr Olga Mentzafou© 2008, G.Issaris Polyzou, made the final selection of photographs that went on to be exhibited at the Environment-Culture Centre of Athens International Airport. The Exhibition is open to the public until April 30, 2012, and is accessible to all passengers and airport visitors, on a 24hour basis. If you won't be passing through the airport, you can still enjoy looking at the winning photographs herehere. This is MEDASSET's second photography exhibition to be held at the Athens International Airport in two years.
New Year's tea party special! Time again for our New Year annual, ladies only, Fundraiser. The event was held on February 6th 2012 at the Athens Hilton Hotel in Greece. The late afternoon tea party included live music, the traditional cutting of the "Pita cake" and a raffle!
Donate Now! Become a "Friend" of MEDASSET NOW for a minimum yearly donation of 15€/£10 and enjoy -10% discount off all items on our gift shop
A big THANKS to all our sponsors and supporters! Ocean Fund (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd) The Coca-Cola System in Greece MAVA Foundation Athens International Airport M-PLUS (www.mplus.gr) MAERSK Greece A.G. Leventis Foundation Power Music Hewlett Packard Google Athens Hilton Angellight Web Services deBop.gr SkipperOnDeck.gr Prasinizo.gr Echomove Magazine Maramenos & Pateras Jewelers Akis Goumas Lily Venizelos Fotini Livanos Nicholas & Matti Egon Eleni Economou Frida Tsakiroglou Jeannine Mihalaridi Getta Tsitsinaki Elisabeth Kominou Ketty Filippidou Fali Vogiatzaki Themis Hatzigianni Toula Trifylli and the 15 supporters who offered fine raffle items
7
MEDASSET c/o 24 Park Towers 2 Brick Street, London W1J 7DD, UK Tel/Fax: (020) 76290654 medasset@medasset.org www.medasset.org
£4.00 "Marine Symphony" keyring Let these charming trinkets adorn your keys or bag. (Length 8 cm)
MEDASSET GREECE 1c Licavitou Street 10672, Athens, Greece Tel: +30 210 3613572 +30 210 3640389 Fax: +30 3613572 medasset@medasset.gr www.medasset.gr
Editors: Jenny Ioannou, Liza Boura If you do not wish to receive "Turtle Dives", please send an e-mail. We hope you enjoy our 10th issue and would love to hear your feedback: medasset@medasset.org
£8.00-£13.00 MEDASSET t-shirts Available in several colours and sizes!
NEW £11.00 Environmental Education £8.00 Kit: "The Mediterranean EXCLUSIVE Sea, A Source of Life" Keychain, on recycled for children 6-14. aluminum, from original Available in sculpture by A. Goumas English/Greek/Arabic (Length 5 cm)
Our online shop accepts most major currencies
8