Turtle dives 11

Issue No.11 May 2012 - February 2013 It all began in 1983, five years before MEDASSET was officially founded, when I first realised that sea turtles were nesting in Laganas Bay on the island of Zakynthos until I started a campaign for their protection. Few had heard of this now famous loggerhead nesting site or even knew of the existence of such magnificent animals in some countries of the Mediterranean.

What began as a single-handed national and international effort, was persevered with until MEDASSET was founded in 1988, and now continues as a fully-fledged and highly professional UK Registered Charity and an independent NGO registered in Greece.

MEDASSET’s lobbying and campaigning was instrumental in establishing the Zakynthos National Marine Park in 1999. Since its constitution, the organisation remains the only one working exclusively on sea turtle conservation throughout the Mediterranean. Core funding by its founder enabled it to pursue monitoring, research, conservation and education projects in European, Near Eastern and North African countries around the Mediterranean basin. These

IN THIS ISSUE -1988-2013: Celebrating 25 years of action -Introducing our team -Project in Albania a success!

-Pollution: "You See the Difference. A Turtle Does Not" -OCEAN 2012: European Union fisheries reform

organizations and conventions and further supported by sponsors and fundraising.

-Stakeholder Meeting on Tourism on Milos Island, in Greece

By surveying almost 8,000 km of Mediterranean coastline, identifying new nesting sites and

-Greece: Zakynthos

activities have been fully backed by key international environmental intergovernmental

confirming the absence of turtles in key areas, MEDASSET has made a major contribution to the legal framework that protects sea turtles and their habitats in Greece, Egypt and Albania, and provided invaluable information in support of coastal habitat management plans and sustainable use of the Mediterranean coastal zone.

-Rapid assessment survey on Lefkas Island in Greece -Turkey: Campaign to Save Patara

With only 300-500 green turtles remaining in the Mediterranean, this species has been MEDASSET’s research and conservation priority since 1989. It has been MEDASSET’s enthusiasm, persistence, imaginative and original approach, hard work, lobbying and campaigning that sets it apart as a unique organisation. It is with pride and joy that we celebrate our 25th Anniversary.

-Bern Convention Meeting 2012 -Message in a Bottle -Environmental Education

Lily Venizelos President MEDASSET IUCN MTSG Member

-Marine life poster competition & exhibition -Fundraisers -Turtle conservation & olive oil -Latest Publications -Supporters Corner

New UK Trustees

Over ten years ago, Prof. Idriz Haxhiu of Tirana University alerted MEDASSET to the presence of sea turtles

We are very pleased to welcome Anna Stamatiou and Dr Carolyn Heeps to our Board of Directors. To read who else is on the Board, please visit our site.

in Northern Albania. Our long-term research showed that both the endangered loggerhead and green turtle migrate through Albanian waters, and that Drini Bay is an important feeding, overwintering and developmental habitat for the species in the Mediterranean.

Based on the scientific results, and in accordance with MEDASSET’s mission to promote sea turtle conservation throughout the Mediterranean, in February 2012 we

E. Ramaj, Senior Expert of Albanian Ministry of Environment, submitted an Action Plan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles L. Venizelos MEDASSET and their Habitats in Albania to the Albanian government.

President, announcing adoption This was formally adopted on November 22nd 2012 of Action Plan

through Ministerial Order No. 596.

The Action Plan serves as a roadmap for the development of sea turtle research and protection in Albanian waters. This is an important milestone for sea turtle conservation in the Mediterranean. Of course, much work lies ahead for, if sea turtles migrating through Albanian waters are to be monitored and threats against them mitigated, the Action Plan must be properly implemented.

The Action Plan is a result of extensive consultation with Albanian experts and scientists that was carried out during 2011 by MEDASSET and the Minister of Environment, with the support of the MAVA Fondation pour la Nature and under the auspices of the Barcelona Convention and the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas of UNEP’s Mediterranean Action Plan.

To celebrate World Turtle Day on May 23rd 2012, MEDASSET enlisted the support of XL Advertising

Introducing our team Kostis Grimanis, Director

Conservation biologist. Masters degrees in Marine Resource Development & Protection and Integrated Management of Protected Areas

I was introduced to sea turtle conservation in 2003 when I worked as a project coordinator for sea turtle conservation on the island of Zakynthos, Greece. Working with a community of extremely enthusiastic people from all over the Mediterranean for such an amazing animal and its habitats is extremely rewarding. I feel most grateful for the opportunity MEDASSET has given me to be part of such a dedicated team.

Eurydice Tsistraki, Office Manager

Communication to create an innovative poster for our campaign to raise awareness about the devastating effects of plastic bags on marine life: "You See the Difference. A Turtle Does Not". Two days after its launch on Facebook the image went viral, and it has since been seen by millions, throughout the world!

We were overwhelmed by the number of groups and institutions that got in touch asking to share the poster: organizations, schools, universities, museums, NGOs, and aquariums continue to pass our message to the international community, and it has so far been translated into seven languages!

The poster has found a permanent home in: The

National

Institut

Aquarium

in

Oceanographique

Plymouth in

UK,

Monaco,

The the

Bachelors Degree in International Relations

At MEDASSET I am given the opportunity to actively express my love for the environment. To help towards the conservation of sea turtles is truly priceless to me as is the opportunity to be able to collaborate on a daily basis with people who share my passion and love for nature in all its forms.

Liza Boura, Programmes Officer

Leatherback exhibit in The Vienna Natural History Museum, and has also been adopted by The Rotterdam Museum in the Leatherback Trust in Costa

Netherlands, The Rica, The Wider

The overwhelming response has led to the Caribbean Sea Turtle Network (WIDECAST), and message's translation in 7 languages

The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) throughout the Indian Ocean.

BSc in International and European Economics and MSc in Ecological Economics and Environmental Management

My role at MEDASSET has given me the opportunity to work for what I feel most passionate about: the protection of the coasts, seas and marine biodiversity of the Mediterranean. Another aspect that I enjoy is the cultural exchange and interaction that comes hand in hand with collaborating with people from all around the Mediterranean and beyond, under a common aim.

We do thank all the above for their assistance and enthusiasm in promoting our poster and its message across the globe.

In particular we would like to acknowledge the support of Athens International Airport, for

sponsoring

the

installation

of

large

banners on their premises during August 2012.

The Leatherback exhibit at The Vienna Museum of Natural History

Jenny Ioannou, Communications & Public Relations

Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Communications and Media

In May 2012, MEDASSET joined forces with OCEAN2012, a coalition of over 170 European NGOs, whose mission is to ensure that the reform of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) stops overfishing, ends destructive fishing practices, and delivers fair and equitable use of fish stocks for local communities that depend on these for their livelihoods. While the CFP reform does not explicitly refer to affected non-fish species, like sea turtles, its provisions to reduce discards and by-catch will have indirect benefits for sea turtles. Bycatch kills an estimated 44,000 turtles every year in the Mediterranean; European fisheries policy therefore can play a critical role in sea turtle welfare in the Mediterranean. Discover what’s at stake by watching this short video (http://vimeo.com/42686193).

European Fish Weeks – End overfishing or fishing will be over!

On June 8, World Oceans Day, MEDASSET met in Brussels with OCEAN2012 members for the official launch of the European Fish Weeks, forming a human fish shape in front of the European Parliament. This fish shape was a symbolic gesture, as a way for citizens across Europe to call on their representatives to take bold decisions that will put an end to overfishing.

My passion lies in creating messages that inspire and promote social change. At MEDASSET I feel motivated everyday to perform and to support the rest of the team in our goal to protect marine life. I am proud to be part of this group and hope that my now two year old son will get a chance to witness the incredible life that inhabits our seas.

I am enjoying developing communications and awareness raising programmes and monitoring their progress and proliferation in Greece and internationally.

Konstantina Kostoula, Environmental Education & Volunteers

MEDASSET was an active participant in OCEAN2012, organising three awareness-raising events in summer 2012 in Athens and in Lefkas and Zakynthos islands.

Our travelling photo exhibition showcased the intricate relationship

between

“Sea

&

Man”,

while

public

screenings of the award-winning documentary The End of the Line and talks by invited speakers, aimed to expose the devastating effects of current fisheries policies and practices. Each event ended with attendees sitting

in the symbolic fish shape formation. A photo-book of all human fish shapes was presented by The "human fish" in Zakynthos OCEAN2012 to Members of the European Parliament, to demonstrate the public’s support for a groundbreaking policy reform! Event photos are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/80147709@N07 /sets/72157631288392406/show/

February 6th 2013 – A milestone for the marine environment!

BA International & European Studies and postgraduate studies in Environment & Development

At MEDASSET I found people with whom I share a common vision, motivation to bring about change, and love for the marine environment inspired by the uniqueness of marine turtles. For me, the organisation is a hub for free expression of ideas and constant development. The opportunity to convey the message of the need to help protect the environment to students, teachers, various target groups and the general public with the invaluable assistance of volunteers of all ages, who come from all parts of the world, is for me a source of inspiration.

We continued our campaign by co-signing numerous letters prior to crucial votes on the CFP reform that were addressed to the Greek and Cypriot fisheries Ministers and Members of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee, asking for the right decisions to be taken to help repopulate our seas.

Since, the coalition is working on ensuring that the European Council does not water down the reform as it stands following the European Parliament’s vote. Stay tuned!

Nita Kyriakopoulou, Resource Center

Paint a Fish!

Students participating in MEDASSET’s environmental education programmes in Greece have had their say, by painting fish (and of course turtles) and uploading them to the internet. Apart from aiming to educate younger generations in sustainable fisheries, this campaign will use this colourful virtual sea of marine species to call on EU leaders to help restore European fish stocks for future generations!

The campaign peaked as all Members of the European Parliament voted for the reform on February 6th 2013. By an overwhelming majority, amendments were passed to ban discards, restore fish stocks by 2020, apply strict fishing capacity assessments, subsidies are made conditional on compliance with rules, and fishermen using more environmentally and socially sustainable methods are given priority access to fish stocks.

BSc in Mathematics and MSc in Computing

I feel that by keeping detailed, up-to-date records of activities, environmental information, scientific research, audio-visual material and much more, I contribute to MEDASSET’s worth-while cause of protecting the environment in general and sea turtles in particular.

I am surrounded by a dedicated, forward thinking, hardworking but also fun loving team.

Elton Kevani, Information Technology

This is great news for fish, small-scale fishermen, but also for sea turtles and marine biodiversity in general. It is something of a victory for civil society too. Parliamentarians were bombarded by citizens from around Europe throughout 2012 with letters, photos of the human fish shapes, social media campaigns, petitions, paintings, and celebrity campaigns. The next step is making sure that the European Council does not water down the reform as it stands following the European Parliament’s vote. Stay tuned!

For the 24th year in succession, MEDASSET attended the Standing Committee 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 (27 - 30 November 2012).

We presented a slideshow that illustrated the current situation on the nesting beaches of Fethiye’s Specially Protected Area (Turkey). Several of the conservation measures implemented in 2011 were not sustained in 2012, despite commitments made by the Turkish authorities in

Software Engineer. MSc in Software Engineering and Net-Centric Systems

What I like about working for MEDASSET is that I am able to combine my love for the environment with my passion for IT. It is very important to me to be part of a team that shares a common vision for a better world. Through my work, I am given the opportunity to find solutions through information technology thus helping the team in raising awareness for such a beautiful and precious animal, as the sea turtle.

Katerina Peraki, “Join in and Clean up” Campaign Coordinator

2010. In addition the construction of a new beachfront hotel, destroyed the last remaining section of a wetland. Following our presentation, the delegate of Turkey accepted that the images made him ‘uncomfortable’ and said that the authorities would monitor the situation more closely. The Convention’s Secretariat stated that it would be in contact with the Turkish government to monitor this case.

Fethiye is one of the 12 most important loggerhead nesting beaches in Turkey. Threats to the nesting population have continuously been increasing, resulting in serious nesting decline. Learn more about this campaign by visiting our website: www.medasset.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article& id=104&Itemid=113&lang=en.

ΒΑ Economic and Regional Development/ MSc Environmental Management

I find my job very satisfying as I contribute to MEDASSET's mission to raise awareness and educate young people about the protection of the marine environment. At the same time, we actively participate in keeping Greek beaches and seas clean through our collaboration with local authorities, NGOs and local environmental groups.

We also updated the Standing Committee on the ongoing problems at Kyparissia Bay (Greece), by presenting a slideshow. In March 2011 the Greek government provided some encouraging assurances but the situation on the nesting beaches remained unchanged and conservation law has yet to be drafted. The European Commission sent Greece a Reasoned Opinion in September 2012… which means the EC is just one step away from taking the country to the European Court of Justice -which will result in an substantial daily fine- over breach of its obligations fully to protect the endangered sea turtles in Kyparissia Bay! The Convention’s Secretariat stated that Kyparissia’s condition and management were giving cause for serious concern, and therefore that it would seek updates and reports from the Greek authorities, NGOs and the EU.

Stakeholder meeting on tourism and Marine Protected Areas In April 2012, in partnership with the Marine Sciences Laboratory of the University of Piraeus, we organised a multi-stakeholder meeting on the island of Milos (Greece). The meeting

Southern Kyparissia Bay supports the second largest nesting population of loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean after Zakynthos island, and is protected under the European Union (EU) Natura 2000 network. Learn more about this campaign by visiting our website: www.medasset.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article& id=113&Itemid=122&lang=en

Despite the dreary economic climate in Greece, MEDASSET recorded the situation at the Zakynthos National Marine Park (ZNMP) in 2012 as comparatively better than 2011. However, the success of recording 860 turtle nests in 2012 still fell short of the annual average since 1984 by almost 400 nests. This downward trend in recorded nests

aimed to engage local stakeholders in sustainable tourism and best practices for maintaining the environmental, cultural, social and economic integrity of Milos as a tourist destination.

The potential establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) was also discussed. Invited speakers, Jorge Moreno (Cabrera Archipelago National Park) and Robert Philip (Port Cros National Park) shared the experiences and challenges they faced while developing the MPAs. At the meeting’s closure, three local committees were created to further investigate and follow-up on specific issues related to MPAs and sustainable tourism options. The meeting was supported by the Ocean Fund and held under the auspices of the Municipality of the island of Milos.

combined with the high number of turtle deaths each year, leads to the conclusion that turtle protection measures

are

more

important

than

ever.

No

incidents of monk seals attacking sea turtles were recorded in 2012, which explains the lower number The Park’s good behaviour and cautious of dead turtles (20) compared to 2011 (45). monitoring code in the marine area regarding turtle observations is not The situation at the nesting beaches in 2012 was observed

ISTS 2015 We were pleased to hear that the next International Sea Turtle Symposium will be held in Turkey!

dismal, despite the hard work of Park wardens, as

beach wardens were not in post until mid-July.

At sea, throughout the summer, various issues proved hazardous to turtle safety: speeding boats, illegal fishing, entry of boats into restricted zones, and turtle-spotting activities all contributed to the problem.

MEDASSET, along with other environmental organisations, has been cooperating with the European Commission to press for the removal of an illegal landfill from the Marine Park and the European Commission has referred Greece to the European Court of Justice. Unfortunately, the illegal and oversaturated landfill is still there.

Patara in Turkey is a major archeological site, with

Oops!

Omission in "Turtle Dives"No. 10 In December 2011, Lily Venizelos talked about “MEDASSET - Sea Turtle Conservation in the Mediterranean: How to achieve your goals with little money, lots of work and imagination ” at the visiting speaker seminar of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at Kent University in the UK.

monuments that date back to the late Byzantine Period, the Roman and Ptolemaic period, and the era of its first settlers, the Cretans. Patara is also the birthplace of St. Nicholas, whose generous nature became the model for

Turtle conservation & olive oil

today’s ‘Santa Claus’.

Till the mid-'80s, before tourists discovered Patara, there was only a small village (Gelemis) on the outskirts of the archaeological site, with 200 inhabitants mainly engaged in small-scale agriculture. In 1988, a student of the University of Stirling (Scotland) and some residents contacted us with an appeal to support their fight against plans to construct

John Morgan-Evans/cc-by-3.0

an airport, hotels and other businesses within the archaeological area and on the loggerhead nesting beach. So we launched the “Save Patara” campaign.

Patara’s ecological value is unique along the Turkish Mediterranean coast as it hosts a variety of habitats, sand dune systems and small, freshwater wetlands. Since 1990 the entire site, including the 12 km nesting beach, has been declared a Specially Protected Area (SPA), under the Barcelona Convention.

Following two incidents of arson within the archaeological site, and in collaboration with both international organizations and prominent personalities, we brought the issue to public

Anta Vlachoutsikos is a Biologist with a Masters in nature conservation. She is a Mediterranean

attention. We alerted the international media, and fought for: the cancellation of the developmental project, the removal of an illegally built hotel (that destroyed an ancient tomb), and the introduction of conservation measures for the management of the ever increasing number of visitors on the nesting beach.

MEDASSET has been bringing the issue of Patara to the attention of the Bern Convention since 1989. A Case File was opened in 1996 by the Convention to monitor the implementation of Recommendations by the Convention. The Case remained opened until 2001. MEDASSET has been monitoring the situation in Patara ever since.

In 2011, press articles reported the construction of 400-750 summer houses about 1.5 km north of the nesting beach, well within the protected area boundaries. In 2012, in collaboration with Turkish archaeologists and architects, we lodged a complaint to the Bern Convention and raised the issue in both the Turkish and Greek press. Construction works and the dramatic population increase (resulting from the villa occupancy) will have an impact on the nesting beach and the turtles; significantly alter the natural environment, and jeopardise the archaeological monuments. Twenty-seven villas are already close to completion. So, once again, we call out to the international community to help "Save Patara"!

In summer 2012, a small team of MEDASSET volunteers undertook a two-week rapid assessment survey of sea turtle nesting on the island of Lefkada in Western Greece, with support from the British Chelonia Group (BCG). The island was first surveyed in summer 1990

by STPS (ARCHELON), and nesting activity was estimated at about 50 nests per season. No surveys to assess the nesting trend had been performed since.

Results of the survey, though less than encouraging

for

Lefkada's

sea

turtles,

confirmed just 3 Caretta caretta nests.

Based on this and other information from

monk seal specialist, environmental activist and entrepreneur. Anta is committed to the protection of marine life and an active member of MEDASSET, assisting in the development of our environmental education programmes and making presentations on marine biodiversity conservation. Her most recent entrepreneurial endeavour is the trade of organic olive oil produced on the Island of Zakynthos to countries like Austria, Germany and Switzerland, with part of the proceeds earmarked to our long campaign for the sea turtles and their habitat in Zakynthos.

Anta’s olive oil is produced by small organic farms that have been hit hard by the financial crisis and are fighting for their continued existence.

Bio-certification involves a high cost to these farmers who find it difficult to meet due to their ever declining profit margin. Supporting and promoting organic farmers in the region of a marine park is to the benefit of the protected habitat as organic farming reduces the pesticide and chemical fertilizers residues in the ecosystem and promotes species variety.

If you would like more information about how to obtain this superb Zakynthian organic olive oil, you can e-mail Anta at tatsuada@gmail.comor visit her websiteantaconcept.com

the area we estimate that there were fewer than 15 nests in Lefkada in 2012.

Lefkada’s waters are a significant migratory route for turtles moving to the Adriatic Sea and Amvrakikos Bay, two important foraging areas in the Mediterranean. The main threats to these populations are deaths at sea caused either by fishing activities, boat collision or ingestion of plastic waste.

Latest Publications

Our team of volunteers on Lefkas beach

"Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) foraging at Drini Bay in Northern Albania: Genetic characterisation reveals new haplotypes." Yilmaz, C., Turkozan, O., Bardakc?, F., White, M., & Kararaj, E.

“Join In and Clean Up” 2012. Acta Herpetologica, 7(1), Environmental education & awareness raising 155-162. Available here campaign on marine litter

www.fupress.net/index.php/ah/article

It’s been already two years since we launched the “Join in and CleanUp” campaign in cooperation with the Coca-Cola System in Greece, under their environmental programme “Mission Water".

In these 2 years, the campaign successfully organized 18 beach cleanup activities all over Greece, with the participation of 9,448 volunteers, who helped clean 46.1km of coastline, removing 15 tons of debris, and recording 197,192 items found on the beaches. These itemsvary from heavy mechanical parts, tires, electrical appliances to small, degraded plastic pieces and cigarette butts. Furthermore, information leaflets on the devastating impacts of debris on our seas and the life they sustain, from sea turtles to marine mammals, fish and sea

/view/10286

birds, were distributed by volunteers and retailers to members of the local communities in which the campaign was implemented raising awareness on the plague of marine debris.

Message in a Bottle

In 2012, the campaign was implemented with the support of UNEP/MAP.

Its

success

is

the

result of collaboration and active involvement

of

the

local

Environmental Education Offices, municipalities,

management

agencies, port authorities, schools, voluntary NGOs.

groups,

It’s

divers

by joining

and

forces

that we can make a difference for

our

marine

and

coastal

environments!

Welcome & G.Hodgetts

final

instructions

to

participants

Photo:

"Your Plastic Sea" An installation was designed for MEDASSET by international artists Michela Pelusio and Rose Mari Torpo as part of our “Join in

A conceptual, collaborative campaign that offers individuals who hail from a variety of disciplines the opportunity to express their concerns for Planet Ocean through creative media. The installation initially embraced kindred spirits and cherished friends personally known to creative conservationist Asher Jay, the founder of Sea Speak Sphere but has since expanded its role to integrate participation from concerned citizens worldwide through social media and its official website: seaspeaksphere.com.

Our very own Lily Venizelos was one of the first 100 voices to be part of this project. Prints of her sea turtle bottle are on sale here www.artforconservation.org./store/ product_details.php?pr=8073, and 5% of the proceeds will be donated to MEDASSET.

and Clean Up” campaign. The artwork consists of a large, suspended fishing net containing hundreds of small plastic debris, collected during a beach clean-up activity in Heraklion, Crete, in June 2012. The installation was set-up by 350 pupils, teachers, members of local NGOs, voluntary groups, and employees from the local factory of Coca-Cola HBC. Pieces of debris were tied to the net in a way that allowed free “Your Plastic Sea” movement in the wind, creating reflection and sound, displayed at the patio of communicating a multi-dimensional message that stresses the the Venetian Loggia, in need to protect our seas. A workshop followed, led and supervised Heraklion, Crete. Photo: by both the creative artists and co-organised by MEDASSET and the Primary Education Office of Heraklion.

G.Hodgetts

Like our Page and keep up to date with our campaigns, educational programmes, and events!

In August 2012 our mascot Niretta visited the aquarium in Crete to help “Make-a-Wish” come true, for a 7 year old boy!

Join our YouTube Channel and check out our latest videos!

Be in the loop! Join our LinkedIn Group!

"Inspired by the Marine Environment" Twenty-five posters from MEDASSET’s Competition on display at Athens International Airport (14/1-10/5/2013) In cooperation with AKTO College of Art and Design, a poster competition was held during November and December 2012. Students were required to promote the need to protect the Mediterranean Sea through their designs, while raising public awareness of the degradation of the marine environment.

Out of forty-eight designs submitted, twenty-five were chosen by a judging panel for display in the poster exhibition held at Athens International Airport between 14/1 to 10/5/2013. Three designers were awarded prizes in a ceremony held in January 2013.

The exhibition is located in the “Environment and Culture” space above the departure gate (Entrance Three), and is accessible to all airport visitors, on a 24-hour basis.

If you won't be passing through the airport, you can still enjoy looking at the winning posters here.

This is our third exhibition at Athens International Airport since 2010.

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!

Sponsors: 1st prize:"TAKE IT SLOW" Thalassinos ANASTASIOU

2nd prize: "MY SHELL AS NOT 3rd prize: "FOR MANKIND, FOR DESIGNED FOR THIS" THE SEA, FOREVER" Katerina ALIVIZATOU Ioannis FETANIS

FUNDRAISERS: "Mare, Amore e Fantasia": In October 2012 "Friends of MEDASSET" and supporters gathered at the Hellenic Yacht Club in Piraeus, Greece, for a dinner Gala fundraising event with DJ music and a raffle with outstanding presents!

Our New Year's ladies only tea party fundraiser was held in February 2013 at the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel. The late afternoon event included live music, the traditional cutting of Greek "Pita cake" and a raffle!

The Coca-Cola System in Greece Michael J. Zamkow and Sue E. Berman Charitable Foundation Vardis & Marianna Vardinogiannis ΑΒ Vassilopoulos ΝORTON ROSE LLP British Chelonia Group The Pew Charitable Trusts South Downs College Maramenos & Pateras Jewellers Athens International Airport Elanious SA ΚΑRΕΝΤΑ S.A. Halkidon Shipping Corporation Six Red Marbles LLC M-PLUS (www.mplus.gr) Lily Venizelos Fotini Livanos Nicholas & Mati Egon Eleni Economou Toula Tryfilli Rena Gourdomihali Elisabeth Kominou Frida Tsakiroglou Spilios Charamis Eleni Paravanti Doda Voridi Themis Hatziyianni Ketty Filippidou

Communications & In Kind supporters:

£24.00 "Silver Jubilee" good luck charm Exclusively designed and crafted in 925° silver for us, by Greece’s prestigious jewellers “MARAMENOS & PATERAS”. (2cm diameter) A symbol of new beginnings and good fortune. This year's charm concludes our series of 16 produced since 1998, making the entire series special collectibles. The sea shore lily (Pancratium maritimum) on the sea turtle's flipper is in praise and in honour of our Founder, Lily Venizelos, and her endless work and commitment to MEDASSET and sea turtles worldwide.

The entire collection featuring all previous 15 annual charms is available, can be viewed and ordered online at www.medasset.org.

SΤΑSΥ S.A. (Athens railways and tramways) 28 TV channels and tens of radio stations throughout Greece Prasinizo.gr Skipper On Deck Ship Management International Magazine deBop.gr CSRnews.gr Athens Hilton Magazine ΧL Advertising Communication Anna Maria Mazarakis Power Music Productions Google Inc. Golden Beach Hotel (Greece)

£8.00-£13.00 MEDASSET t-shirts Available in several colours and sizes!

£11.00 Environmental Education Kit: "The Mediterranean Sea, A Source of Life" for children 6-14.

Available in English/Greek/Arabic

£8.00 EXCLUSIVE Keychain, from recycled aluminum. Original sculpture by A. Goumas (Length 5 cm)

SKIADOPOULOS Photographic Equipment COCO-MAT Panorama Bikes (Greece) Ideal Bikes Galerie de Beaute h+c parties etc Kaleidoscope Publications ANEK Lines Attica Group MINOAN Lines Οsho Zen Center Event 360 Google Inc We also thank all the supporters who offered raffle items for our events!

Our online shop accepts most major currencies

Are you an eBay shopper?

Support MEDASSET while buying or selling items on Ebay through MissionFish, a PayPal Giving Fund, with 100% of every donation reaching the charity of your choice--in this case, MEDASSET. When you post an item to sell on eBay, you can choose to donate 10-100% of the final sale price to the charity of your choice. When using MissionFish, not only are you supporting local charities, but you are earning credits towards your own eBay fees.

Visit http:/pages.ebay.co.uk/ebayforcharity/Support_charity_when_you_list.html to learn more with a simple how-to video! If you are an avid shopper on eBay, you can also support us through your purchases! When checking out, select the charity of your choice to make a donation to. More information can be found at http://pages.ebay.co.uk/ebayforcharity. Help

NEW ADDRESS! MEDASSET c/o 4 Hillside Close London, NW8 0EF, UK Tel.: +44 203 2866189 medasset@medasset.org www.medasset.org MEDASSET GREECE 1c Licavitou Street 10672, Athens, Greece Tel: +30 210 3613572 +30 210 3640389 Fax: +30 3613572 medasset@medasset.gr www.medasset.gr

support MEDASSET and the sea turtles while going about your daily life! It's fast, simple, and makes a big difference.

1% for the planet partnership MEDASSET is now a nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of over 1,380 member companies in 43 countries

that

give

one

percent

of

revenues

to

environmental causes.

As such, we are now eligible to receive donations from 1% member companies, placing us among a diverse, global network of environmental organizations. 1% member businesses fuel this non-profit network through their annual contributions, which totaled over $22 million in 2010.

For more information visit: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

Editors: Jenny Ioannou, Anna Stamatiou, Lily Venizelos If you do not wish to receive "Turtle Dives", please send an e-mail.

We hope you enjoy our 11th issue and would love to hear your feedback: medasset@medasset.org