Turtle dives no 13web

Page 1

Turtle Dives Issue No. 13 (March 2014-Feb. 2015)

THE INTERNATIONAL SEA TURTLE SYMPOSIUM (ISTS) Around 34 years ago, a handful of young scientists whose love of marine turtles was equalled only by their specialist knowledge of them, organised the first American workshop in Waverly, Georgia, dedicated to “the protection and study of sea turtles”: About 70 people took part. The initiative proved such a success that it became established, and since then has been organised on an annual basis, hosted by a different country and on a different continent each time – but always one that enjoys a relationship with marine turtles. Gradually the number of delegates annually has reached 1,000 and attendance figures seem still to be rising! In 2002 the workshop morphed into an Association and was renamed the International Sea Turtle Symposium (ISTS). Its aim is to present and share the most recent research findings, studies, protection initiatives, environmental education programmes, and new techniques carried out or devised by scientific researchers, NGOs, students, educators and others. Each Symposium now features two auctions that are organised by teams of many volunteers. All the items offered for sale are donated by the delegates themselves and almost all include a turtle – often portrayed in a humorous way. The proceeds, which can amount to several thousand dollars, are used to fund the attendance of students at the following Symposium, giving young people an opportunity of presenting their work and competing for prizes. On the final evening there is a party for all ages that usually carries on into the small hours! Another feature of the Symposium is the “vendor’s tables” at which NGOs, craftspeople, publishers, manufacturers of technical equipment (like satellite tracking devices) and more, present their wares – all turtle-related, of course. MEDASSET usually attends the ISTS every 2-3 years. The associated costs, (fees, travel, accommodation, preparation, etc.), make it effectively impossible for us to take part more frequently. Last April we travelled to New Orleans for the 34th Annual Symposium – a journey of 16 hours – and yet we felt it had been worth the effort as the team returned brimming with new ideas and with renewed commitment, enthusiasm and energy… and an

even greater passion for the work it does. In 2015 the 35th International Sea Turtle Symposium will take place between the 19th and 24th of April in Turkey, at Dalaman. MEDASSET will be presenting the special children's activity "You see the Difference a turtle does not", a poster on "New Observations of Sea Turtle Trade in Alexandria, Egypt" and running a workshop on Novel technologies for environmental campaigning. In addition, our Trustee Anna Stamatiou, is chairing Video Night, coordinating a Beauty Pageant during the Live Auction and Vice President of MEDASSET Greece, Professor John Pantis, is co-chairing the Poster Session. For more information visit

seaturtlesociety.com/symposium.html

Lily Venizelos MEDASSET Founder

DALAMAN, TURKEY: THE 5TH MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE ON MARINE TURTLES In April 2015 the 5th Mediterranean Conference will be held in combination with the 35th International Sea Turtle Symposium (ISTS), in Dalaman, Turkey. This will allow participants to interact with a larger number of colleagues and reduce travel time and cost. The Conference is held every 3-4 years in a different Mediterranean country, with support from the Council of Europe, the Bern Convention and RAC/SPA under UNEP's Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP). The Conference is aiming to develop a research agenda to fill major gaps in demography and at sea distribution of sea turtles in the Mediterranean. It's final objective is to launch a major monitoring programme covering all the major rookeries and foraging grounds of sea turtles in the Mediterranean.


The ISTS, The Mediterranean Conference...1 2014 Sea Turtle Habitat Assessment Leads to Bern Convention Decisions...2-3 NMPZ: Another year, the same problems, Latest Publications, 34th ISTS…4 Citizen Action stops Goverment from “Paving Paradise”, Niretta the Caretta...5 Digital Tug-of-War ‘Human Vs. Turtle’...6 2014 SEA TURTLE HABITAT First International Sea Turtle Beauty Pageant...6 All about sea turtles: Kids in Libya learn, perform and create...7 ASSESSMENT LEADS TO BERN Photography exhibition: ”Let’s Save Amazing Species”...7 CONVENTION DECISIONS Where would campaigning be without our volunteers?...8 Combating marine litter in the Mediterranean Sea...8 Join in & Clean up results...8 MEDASSET urges governments to Serendipities: Gifts that give back...9 protect important sea turtle Events & Sponsors...10

habitats in the Mediterranean

For the 26th year in succession, MEDASSET participated in the annual meeting of the Bern Convention at the Council of Europe (34th Standing Committee Meeting, Strasbourg, France, 2-5 December 2014). We presented the findings of our 2014 sea turtle nesting beach assessments, raised our concerns and submitted recommendations. As a result, the

Bern Convention adopted decisions to monitor these habitats and to work with responsible national authorities to step up their protection.

GREECE

Hatchling disorientated due to light pollution in Kalo Nero, Southern Kyparissia Bay. Photo: ARCHELON

Southern Kyparissia Bay (C. caretta) Visit our website to find out more about the campaign background and download our 2014 report. Nesting beaches in South Kyparissia Bay host the second largest number of loggerhead nests in the Mediterranean. Although the site has been a European NATURA 2000 protected area since 2002, the Greek government has failed to introduce and enforce conservation and management measures.

As a result, the European Commission referred Greece to the European Court of Justice in March 2014 and the Bern Convention, after opening a case file in 2013, organised an on-the-spot appraisal of the site in summer 2014. At the 2014 Bern Convention meeting, MEDASSET, in collaboration with Greek NGO ARCHELON, presented the continued degradation and inadequate management of the site in summer 2014. We also presented Greek NGO objections to the Presidential Decree drafted in September 2014 for the “protection” of Kyparissia Bay. Despite the Greek Delegate’s objections, the Bern

Convention adopted a 12-measure Recommendation, urging Greece to prevent habitat deterioration and ensure improved protection. Indicative of the strong reaction to the severe pressures on the habitat due to construction interests, is the recommendation of a construction ban in the core nesting area. For more details visit our website to read the joint statement by ARCHELON, MEDASSET, and WWF

CYRPUS

Akamas peninsula (C. caretta & C. mydas)

Conservation problems in loggerhead and green turtle nesting sites in Akamas and Limni were first brought to the attention of the Bern Convention by MEDASSET in 1996, and a case file has remained open since 1997. The representative of NGO Terra Cypria presented the current situation and informed the meeting that a huge golf course and villa complex has been approved on a site directly behind Limni nesting beach, despite the NGO’s requests for a 500 m protective buffer zone (for more details see Terra Cypria’s report at www.coe.int). Delegates stressed the importance of Akamas as a hotspot for biodiversity conservation and its vulnerability to excessive tourist developments. The Bern Convention decided to continue monitoring this issue by keeping the case-file open, in

light of the related ongoing infringement procedure at the European Commission level.

2


TURKEY

Fethiye (C. caretta) Visit our website to find out more about the background of this campaign and download our 2014 report. We have been running a campaign to reverse the long term loggerhead nesting decline in Fethiye, a protected area under the Barcelona Convention, since 2009. In 2014, there was no improvement in the protection and management of the site. Longstanding issues remain unsolved, habitat destruction and unregulated coastal development continues. In addition, a shipyard construction project on the nesting beaches is being re-discussed and promoted by authorities.

The nesting zone is occupied by beach furniture and carpets in Fethiye, Turkey.

Patara (C. caretta) Visit our website to find out more about our 25-year ‘’Save Patara’’ campaign and download our 2014 report. In 2014, we recorded several conservation problems on Patara’s loggerhead nesting beach, despite the area’s protected status under the Barcelona Convention. In addition, behind the beach and inside Patara’s protected archaeological area – a unique heritage site of international importance – the 300 holiday home construction project continues. Conservation of Fethiye and Patara nesting sites is monitored by the Bern Convention under the same “case file” that was opened in 2013. Following our presentation and in the absence of a detailed report by Turkish authorities on specific remedial measures or commitments for improved protection, MEDASSET’s call for the case file to remain open and for an “on-the-spot appraisal” by the Bern Convention in Patara and Fethiye in summer 2015, was accepted. The appraisal will aim to identify a set of recommended remedial actions, to be considered and adopted at the next meeting of the Convention in December 2015.

The mountain of 1.5 million tons of toxic waste deposited next to Kazanli nesting beach.

Patara’s amazing sand dunes and loggerhead nesting beach are threatened by poorly planned development. Photo: journeyanatolia.com

Kazanli (C. mydas) MEDASSET has monitored conservation problems in Kazanli since 1999. The Bern Convention adopted a Recommendation in 2002 asking Turkey to take several measures to protect the habitat. For more background details, please visit our website. On Kazanli’s important green turtle nesting beach, severe coastal erosion is reducing the available nesting area and the 1.5 million tonnes of toxic waste deposited next to the beach by a soda-chromium factory, is a pollution hazard for the habitat, sea turtles, human health and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. At the 2014 Bern Convention meeting, MEDASSET presented a slideshow stressing the lack of official reports on action taken to address these and other unresolved conservation problems. The Turkish Delegate briefly informed the meeting about the implementation of several measures and reported that the toxic waste neutralisation process continues and a landfill for the by-product will operate in 2015. However, no specific information was provided on the amount of waste that has been removed and treated. The Bern

Convention invited Turkey urgently to address pollution and erosion issues, to request the support of the Barcelona Convention, and decided to re-assess the situation at its 2015 meeting.

Visit the Bern Convention website at www.coe.int for the official List of Decisions adopted at the 34th meeting of the Standing Committee in December 2014.

3


NMPZ: ANOTHER YEAR, THE SAME PROBLEMS... Monitoring the conservation situation in Zakynthos for yet another year, we found that the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (ZNMP) remains at the stage of struggling to address the same challenges and problems as in previous years. Inadequate control and supervision of the Park’s marine area results in private and business boats becoming a constant nuisance to sea turtles, and also in the illegal entry and anchoring of fishing boats in Maritime Zones A

The oversaturated and illegal landfill Greece’s failure to take the right steps towards sealing the oversaturated and poorly functioning landfill site within the ZNMP, resulted, unsurprisingly, in condemnation from the European Court of Justice. Since 1998, the landfill has been operating without the necessary permits and without respecting the necessary environmental obligations. In 2011 the local authorities committed to restoring the site to prevent a landfill collapse. Instead, the landfill operation license was renewed until 2015 in complete disregard of European regulations that apply to “Natura 2000” sites (EU protected areas).

and B, especially during the hours of darkness. Available space for nesting has been significantly reduced in the past few years, while noise and lights from nightclubs and hotels disturb nesting. ZNMP visitors are inadequately informed about the safety measures due to inefficient and sparse signage at key locations. On several occasions nesting disturbance was observed at night. Obviously, in the

currently dreadful economic situation, the uncertainty surrounding the funding of the managing body of the NMPZ undermines the conservation of the most important loggerhead nesting site in the Mediterranean.

In March 2014, the Region of the Ionian Islands made a decision to shut down the landfill. This last-minute decision was not enough to prevent the EU Court from condemning Greece, as the country had been repeatedly warned that it must resolve this longstanding problem. The Greek authorities have been jeopardizing both the survival of an endangered species and sustainable development in Zakynthos. The negative publicity associated with the failure to meet basic international commitments has been undermining Greece`s environmental policy track record and the country’s reputation as a tourism destination. Together with the landfill’s permanent closure, immediate action must be taken to ensure the area’s restoration and prevent further environmental damage. In the meantime, an effective solution must be agreed for the sustainable management of the island’s increasing volume of waste.

34TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SEA TURTLE SYMPOSIUM, NEW ORLEANS, USA In April 2014, Lily Venizelos, Kostis Grimanis and Anna Stamatiou represented MEDASSET at the 34th International Sea Turtle Symposium held in New Orleans, USA. Two poster presentations were made: a) “First documentation of multiple sea turtle strandings in Lake Bardawil, Egypt, during 2012: data and conservation implications" and b) "From abandoned ghost fishing nets to quality socks and sportswear!" Next stop: the 35th Annual Symposium will be held at Dalaman, Turkey, 18-24 April 2015.

LATEST PUBLICATIONS Economic Recovery Effort Takes its Toll on Mediterranean Loggerheads. Boura, L., K. Grimanis, E. Sfyroeras. 2014. State of the World’s Sea Turtles (SWOT) Report. Vol. 9, pp. 36-37. Available at www.seaturtlestatus.org Results of a Sea Turtle Stranding Survey in an Egyptian Mediterranean Wetland. M. Nada, L. Boura, K. Grimanis, G. Schofield, N. Noor. 2014. British Chelonia Group Newsletter Issue No. 218, pp. 18-20. Available at www.medasset.org Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean Infographic. Available at www.medasset.org/en/explore-theissues/sea-turtles


CITIZEN ACTION STOPS GOVERNMENT FROM “PAVING PARADISE” Over the past six years, Mediterranean countries hit by the economic crisis turned to coastal tourism and real estate development to help recovery. Together with Spain, Turkey and Cyprus, Greece is reshaping policies to attract investments and increase commercial activity. In late April 2014, the Ministry of Finance proposed a draft law allowing unrestricted exploitation of the entire coastline. Greek coasts are already littered with unauthorized constructions, damaging both the environment and tourist destinations. The new draft law aimed to legalise existing illegal constructions, permit new ones just 10 metres from the shoreline, and allow full exploitation of the beach zone. The draft law made no reference to procedures to ensure that the environmental impact is assessed, and there was no mention of or exception for protected areas, meaning that unsustainable beach development could also be legitimised on loggerhead nesting beaches. MEDASSET took an active part in the public consultation on the draft bill and wrote to the Greek Minister of Finance asking for its withdrawal. We brought the issue to the attention of international conventions and the European Commissioners, who responded noting that they expect the Greek government to conform to international coastal protection policies. We also took part in the nationwide campaign to save the Greek coasts by joining forces with several environmental NGOs. We supported citizen initiatives by promoting the national e-action on World Oceans Day and by running with Greek actor Agis Emmanouil in his “240 km for the Coast” ultra-marathon along the shores of Athens. As a result of the nationwide outcry, with over 150,000 Greek citizens signing an e-petition against the draft law, the government submitted only part of the draft law to the Greek Parliament in August 2014. The new law did not include provisions for uncontrolled and full exploitation of the coast, but included the creation of a new coastal zoning system, which was however heavily criticised by the scientific and conservation community due to its lack of scientific and environmental considerations. Check our website (www.medasset.org/en/news-and-media/features/585-paving-paradise-not) for the full story.

5


DIGITAL TUG-OF-WAR TURTLE’

‘HUMAN VS.

Seventy-two people played the new tug of war game we are calling “Human vs. Turtle” at the Plissken music festival held in Athens in June 2014. The digital experience was designed by the Mixed Reality Lab of the University of Nottingham with some help from MEDASSET. In “Human vs. Turtle” one of the two players represents the “turtle” trying to relax in order to lay her eggs while the other player is the “human” who is disturbing her while she does so… just as happens in real life. The players’ performance is measured via sensors that monitor their electro-dermal activity. These are attached to their fingertips! At Plissken, the “turtles” won over humans 60% of the time but we think that may be because some ”humans” threw the game on purpose. During follow-up interviews players confessed they really wanted the “turtles” to win. The point of the game however was not who won or lost. Our aim was to create an innovative activity that would be fun, inform the public about threats to sea turtles, and appeal to them emotionally. Since the game’s pilot launch at the Plissken festival, the two researchers responsible for `Human vs. Turtle`, Nantia Pantidi and Paul Tennent, have been working on improving the platform so that we can use it whenever and wherever – without any specialist knowledge. So, it is because of them that we will be running the workshop “Novel technologies for environmental campaigning Workshop” at the 35th International Sea Turtle Symposium, in Turkey in April 2015 to showcase and share this open source tool with other

FIRST INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY PAGEANT

SEA TURTLE

environmental NGOs! We are very thankful to Nantia and Paul as well as to “Loud and Clear Entertainment” for trusting us with their very large projection screen, which was needed for the game at the Plissken Festival, Ioannis Fetanis for designing our poster and graphics, and Kostas Papafitsoros for allowing us to use his turtle video footage.

Miss Mexico (the Kemp’s Ridley). The very large Miss Gabon (the Leatherback) came home with the Miss Travel title, and the beach beauty Miss India (the Olive Ridley) won Miss Exotic. Miss Gourmet went to the vegetarian Miss USA (the Green), Miss Brazil (the On World Turtle Day (May 23, 2014) a first-of-its-kind online Hawksbill) was named Miss Sexy for her beautiful shell, and the contest was launched to celebrate the beauty and magnificence elusive Miss Australia (the Flatback) was named Miss Mysterious. of sea turtles. Conceived in the best possible taste, the "2014 Sea To see the winners, visit www.medasset.org/en/news-andTurtle Beauty Pageant" ran until World Sea Turtle Day on June media/sea-turtle-beauty-pageant. 16th at which point the lucky winners were announced. Contestants included representatives from the 7 species of sea turtles living in our oceans today: Olive Ridley (“Miss India”), Loggerhead (“Miss Greece”), Kemp’s Ridley (“Miss Mexico”), Hawksbill (“Miss Brazil”), Green (“Miss USA”), Leatherback (“Miss Gabon”), and Flatback (“Miss Australia”). Each turtle entry featured a headshot, an image for the swimsuit competition, a funny motto, a brief but informative bio, and the turtle’s witty response to a personal question. Sea turtle lovers across the globe voted for their favorites in pursuit of 7 separate titles: “Miss Travel,” “Miss Exotic,” “Miss Cutie Pie,” “Miss Sexy,” “Miss Mysterious,” “Miss Gourmet,” and “Miss Ocean” . By the time voting closed on Monday, June 16th, nearly 200 turtle fans had voted. Miss Greece (the Loggerhead) went home with the overall title of Miss Ocean, while the competitive Cutie Pie category went to

6


ALL ABOUT SEA TURTLES: KIDS IN LIBYA, LEARN, PERFORM AND CREATE The Environment General Authority (EGA) in Sirte, Libya, recently joined forces with MEDASSET to educate children and teachers about the endangered species of the Mediterranean Sea. To this end, a two day environmental education workshop was organised in the city of Sirte, between 27 and 28 of January 2015. Activities of the workshop drew their inspiration from MEDASSET’s educational kit: “The Mediterranean Sea, a Source of Life”. Nearly 70 school children and educators from 8 elementary schools put together a theatrical performance to express the need for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea, with an emphasis on marine litter. They portrayed the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean… a variety of recyclables combined with loads of imagination, together created beautiful artefacts inspired by our seas. At the end of the event Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to the individual participants and a Shield of Excellence was presented to the schools. A collection of over 100 pieces of the children’s artwork will be shown at the 35th International Sea Turtle Symposium in Dalaman, Turkey between 18 and 24 April, 2015. Take a peek at the slideshow at http://bit.ly/198MpPW In 2002, an original environmental education kit “The Mediterranean Sea, a Source of Life," was designed and printed by MEDASSET in collaboration with the Hellenic Childrens’ Museum and Kaleidoscope Publications. Intended for dissemination to schools and youth groups, both Greek and English editions were produced with funding from the ‘Niarchos Foundation’. The kit aims 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. It has proved a useful tool for teachers and educational group leaders. In 2005, following the success of the Greek and English editions, and with funding from UNEP/MAP in Greece, RAC/SPA (UNEP/MAP) in Tunisia, the Niarchos Foundation and the Prince of Wales Foundation (UK), the kit was adapted, translated and reproduced in Arabic and was disseminated to schools bordering the Mediterranean. Since 2012, the Arabic version of the kit has been available online as a free download at www.medasset.org “We are passing on our vision of a richly biodiverse Mediterranean Sea with protected marine and coastal ecosystems in which sea turtles will thrive, to the younger generation, teachers and policy-makers throughout the region and beyond” says MEDASSET Environmental Education Programmes Coordinator, Konstantina Kostoula. Photos by Saleh Deryag

LET’S SAVE AMAZING SPECIES 2014 marked the IUCN* Red List of Threatened Species’ 50th anniversary! The Red list is an invaluable conservation resource; a health check for our planet – a Barometer of Life. All 7 species of sea turtles have been assessed and added to the Red List. To celebrate the anniversary, the special photo exhibition “Let’s save amazing species” was organised by the IUCN office for South Eastern Europe (SEE). It was launched at Serbia’s Festival of Science in Belgrade in December 2014 and will be travelling across the country. The exhibition features a photo of a loggerhead turtle by Kostas Papafitsoros that was submitted by MEDASSET to inform visitors about the loggerhead’s amazing life cycle, its Red List classification as endangered, and the threats it faces due to human activities. A big thanks to IUCN SEE for helping us spread the word about sea turtles in Serbia! The Red List has assessed 76,000 species, of which 22,000 are

threatened with extinction, and the IUCN aims to assess a total of 160,000 species by 2020! As the 50-year celebrations come to a close, we wholeheartedly wish that the Red List will continue the great work it does to halt biodiversity loss. * IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature


WHAT WOULD CAMPAIGNING BE WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEERS? MEDASSET volunteers are a cheerful group of highly motivated individuals of all ages who share our vision and who wish to make a difference for sea turtles in the Mediterranean. In July 2014 we participated with our volunteers in the UpFestival; a famous summer open air music event in Koufonisi island, that brings together bands and young people from all over Greece. This tiny island, part of the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea, is an EU NATURA 2000 protected site of great ecological importance and an up-and-coming tourism destination. Hellenic Seaways was our transportation sponsor. In partnership with the organising team, our volunteers discovered an original way to help reduce the impact of the festival (mainly from waste) to the environment: As the arena was located just a few meters from the sea and as strong winds were blowing, they designed and wore cool "sea turtle shells" that acted as litter bins raising awareness at the same time. The volunteers mingled with the crowd throughout the concert enjoying the music, while the shells on their backs were being filled-up with empty bottles! Some participants to the festival even asked if they could wear the 'shells' themselves! Litter was kept to a minimum, volunteers enjoyed the event, and the participants got to find out about sea turtle conservation and what they could do to help! Later in July, another group of volunteers travelled to Naxos island in order to help remove 200 kilos of litter from just a 300m stretch of beach and inform tourists about the

Photo: V. Kyritsi

devastating impact of litter on the environment. The cleanup was implemented under the 4 year long “Join In & Clean Up” campaign in partnership with the Coca-Cola System in Greece and under the auspices of United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan . In November 2014, we participated with our volunteers in the international tourism exhibition "Philoxenia" in Thessaloniki, Greece. We reached out to professionals from the tourism industry inviting them to join our new campaign "Our Pledge to the Sea: No More Litter", designed to target visitors to the Greek coasts (to be launched in May).

WE STRONGLY SUPPORT EFFORTS TO COMBAT MARINE LITTER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA Marine litter is polluting Mediterranean ecosystems and is a direct threat to the survival of protected species, such as sea turtles, which are especially vulnerable to injury or death due to entanglement or consumption of litter.

Convention. It was announced by the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) of which MEDASSET has been a Partner since its founding in 1988.

In May 2014, we participated in the Working Group Meeting on Marine Litter in the Adriatic Sea and the "Mediterranean Conference on Combating Marine Litter in the Adriatic MacroRegion" in Athens, Greece. The events were organised by the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) under the auspices of the Greek Presidency of the European Union and the Greek Ministry of Environment. At the Working Group Meeting MEDASSET contributed to the Assessment Strategy of Marine Litter in European seas, provided guidance for the implementation of beach cleanups, and underlined the importance of following international protocols on monitoring and beach surveys for obtaining comparable data. During a workshop at the end of the Conference, we drew attention to plastics, landfills and illegal dump closure, and waste management enforcement as priorities for Greece. In addition a poster was presented on "Litter and sea turtles: results of MEDASSET’s activities in the Adriatic and Ionian region". In July 2014, we applauded the coming into force of the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean, within the framework of the Barcelona

8

“JOIN IN & CLEAN UP” CAMPAIGN 2011-2014 Over 12.000 volunteers helped record 230,555 pieces of marine litter equivalent to 18,7 tons of litter from 64 km of coastline in 44 beach cleanups throughout Greece! A big thank you to the Coca-Cola System in Greece and UNEP’s Mediterranean Action Plan for helping to inform and involve over 50,000 citizens in making a difference to our coasts and seas.


Our 2015 Good luck Charm “Itsy Bitsy”

Silver (925°) gold plated baby turtle with cubic zirconia stones in 4 different colours to wear around your neck or wrist (with handmade makrame cordon). Size: 1cm. Comes in the jeweler's (ANNA MARIA MAZARAKI) beautiful shocking pink pouch.

All yours for a donation of 19€

Εxtinction ... RE VERSE IT! 100% Cotton All yours for a 0€ donation of 1

A discreet symbol of Greek culture, science, arts and nature. Own or offer Kate Tazedakis’ finely crafted sea turtle shaped lyre pin. Silver coated, 5cm

All yours for a donation of 27€

All proceeds from “Serendipities” support MEDASSET-Greece conservation projects in the Mediterranean. For online orders visit: www.medasset.org/serendipities To order by telephone, call us 10-5 pm at +30 210 3613572 (Eastern European Time Zone (UTC+02:00) Or write to MEDASSET-Greece (Licavitou 1C, Athens 10672, GR)

www.medasset.org/en/su pport-our-work/become-a-friend

10£ minimum donation


Despite the economic crisis in Greece, our two annual fundraisers were well attended, enabling us to keep going with current projects and to start work on new initiatives. In October 2014 we hosted a Sunday lunch at the Yacht Club in Piraeus, overlooking breathtaking views of the Saronikos Bay. Norton Rose Fulbright LLP was our main supporter for the fifth consecutive year! Just a few weeks ago, on January 27th, we held our annual Tea Party to cut the traditional Pita Cake at the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel in Athens centre. It was a glamorous evening, thanks to the fashion show organised by Ally Creative PR Agency. We are very thankful to Mr and Ms Vardis Vardinogiannis who sponsored the Tea Party as well as to all who attended, offered gifts for the raffle and sent donations for both fundraisers.

From our Annual Ladies Tea Party at NJV Athens Plaza, January 27, 2015. STYLIANOS Couture show.

WELCOME GEORGIA & VASSILIS! This past year we welcomed two young and

KOSM Gene passionate members of staff: Georgia VW G rously gavOCAR S.A Antoniadou, our new Office Manager and e us olf B Vassilis Stamogiannis, our new Director. for tw lueMotio a brand n n car ew elve We look forward to a long and fruitful now d months. W to use collaboration with them. ri e More about Georgia & Vassilis and the rest of with ving aroun are m d our team at: more ore style a nd fuel e http://www.medasset.org/en/meet-medasset/ fficien cy. board-staff

THANK YOU!

Sponsors & Supporters Lily Venizelos A.G Leventis Foundation Κosmocar Vardis & Marianna Vardinogiannis Î?orton Rose Fulbright The Coca-Cola System in Greece IASO General Saint George Lycabettus Hotel Interamerican Eleni Economou Frida Tsakiroglou Georgia Tsitsinaki Manouella Vardinogianni Lana Mandyla Poly Chrysanthakopoulou Theodore Trifyllis Helene Moussoulos Fotini Livanos Ketty Filippidou Alexandra Quentin Matti Egon

Zoe Sougioultzoglou John Charamis Audrey Wallrock Serena Sutcliffe Jane Malarkey Contributors: Publicity & In Kind supporters: Google Inc. Jenny Ioannou, Liza Boura, Konstatina Philanthropy.gr Kostoula, Vassilis Stamogiannis, Anna ASAP Athens Stamatiou, Lily Venizelos. Hellenic Seaways If you do not wish to receive "Turtle Dives", Ally PR Agency call or send us a fax to unsubscribe Loud & Clear Entertainment We hope you enjoy our 13th issue. We Maramenos & Pateras Jewellers would love to hear your feedback: Anna Maria Mazaraki medasset@medasset.org Anek Lines Minoan Lines Attica Group MEDASSET c/o 4 Hillside Close Saint George Lycabettus Hotel London, NW8 0EF, UK Minos Spray Tel.: +44 203 2866189 STA.SY S.A. (Athens railways and tramways) MEDASSET GREECE 30 TV stations and tens of radio stations 1c Licavitou Street 10672, Athens, Greece throughout Greece Tel: +30 210 3613572 Astir Beach +30 210 3640389 deBop.gr Fax: +30 3613572 Prasinizo.gr SkipperOnDeck.gr medasset@medasset.org www.medasset.org


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.