“Greece is now recognized as a pioneer in the protection of the marine environment,” the Minister of Environment and Energy said today (10.6.2025). Stavros Papastavrouspeaking to ERT.
It is one of the key conclusions that came to Greece at the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Oceans, held in Nice, France, June 9th to 12th. It is indicative that Greece and Stavros Papastavrou were chosen along with Brazil and the Minister of Environment of the country, Marina Silva, to co -chair on the 1st panel of this important international conference.
“For Greece, the sea is the mirror of our history, it is a component of our identity and culture, but at the same time it is also a driving force for our future. And that means that the protection and regulation of human activity at sea concern us directly. Not only because we have the largest commercial fleet, but because we have the most recorded islands in the European Union, the largest coastline in the European Union and one of the largest in the world, “said Papastavrou.
As he said, for Greece, the overall regulation of human activity at sea is a priority, with the issue of security in maritime transport being particularly important, a issue that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised a few weeks ago at the UN Security Council.
“The marine spatial planning announced in April, as well as the practical protection of marine areas, oceans and the safety of maritime transport constitute an important network of actions and initiatives, so that the maritime space can be effectively regulated with full respect and implementation of the United Nations.”
Mr. Papastavrou also made a special mention in the announcements made by the prime minister for the two maritime parks in the Ionian and South Aegean, southern Cyclades. “Marine parks have a primary environmental dimension, this is their starting basis. They are not arbitrarily created, biodiversity is examined, their environmental cohesion and protection are examined. Marine parks are coming to protect the unique biodiversity our country has, “he said.
Finally, the Minister of Environment and Energy also stood in the ministerial decision signed for the protection of corals in the North Aegean island bakery complex, which was released on Sunday, June 8, World Ocean Day. “Coral areas include scientifically documented valuable and vulnerable sets of marine species, also known as sea forests.
Now, we have proceeded with the protection of corals and the underwater ecosystem, in the sense that the fisheries with sliding tools are prohibited in this protected area, which destroys this sensitive ecosystem. By protecting corals in the corset ovens, we all win the wealth offered by the ecosystems they create. “