Alonnisos Marine Park
National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades | |
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Location | Greece, Europe |
Nearest city | Volos |
Coordinates | 39°18′26″N 24°08′51″E / 39.307100°N 24.147606°E |
Area | 2,260 km2 (870 sq mi) |
Established | May 16, 1992 |
Governing body | joint venture between ministries |
The National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades (
History
Thomas Schultze-Westrum, a German zoologist and maker of animal documentaries, after a series of exploratory missions to the islands in 1976, noted the great ecological and biological value for the first time and proposed the creation of protected area. Six years later, the local
The presidential decree, that was issued to clearly demarcate the protected zones and protection measures, overlooked the creation of a local Reserve Management Agency. MOm, aided by the European Commission, initiated the reserve's support and monitor program. This action is implemented with the local operators of the high-speed craft Alonnisos and the first few years in close cooperation with the Fishing Cooperative of Alonnisos. Following the environmental study that lasted several years issued by a Joint Ministerial Decision which set out the composition of the board of the management agency of the marine park, the overall responsibility for managing the reserve passed to the new management agency. MOm participates as a full member of the board, the Operational Management Council, however, without a clearly defined plan of operation, with lack of funding and some unfortunate choice of a president of the board for the next three years remained ineffective.[citation needed] In 2007, some funding by the Third EU Community Support Framework initiated the first steps of operation. The current situation is critical, since the choices to be made and management actions to be implemented will determine both the credibility of the new management agency and the protection of the coastal region.[citation needed]
Geography
Geology
Limestone rock dominates the island surfaces. Its main characteristics are the steep rocky slopes which run down to the sea and the caves, which are an important part of the habitat of the monk seal. Different types of soil are encountered while fresh water sources are scarce.
Climate
Mediterranean, with moderate rainfall during wintertime and long dry summers. The average annual temperature is 17 °C and the average rainfall is 515 mm.
During August, the
Special conditions
The geographic isolation of the area, its morphology, the limited degree of human interference and the excellent condition of the natural environment make the land and sea areas of the park an ideal habitat for many threatened species of plants and animals
Flora
The islands are covered in Mediterranean
Fauna
The area of the AMP is an important habitat for many species of fish (about 300), birds (up to 80 species), reptiles and also mammals. Apart from the monk seal, the red coral (
Protective measures
Zone A (1587 km2)
Zone A1 Piperi Island and the surrounding waters to a distance of 3 nautical miles
Permitted activities: Scientific research (under licences), park operations (under licences), maintenance works to the church of Zoothohos Pigis and the adjacent spring, herding. Forbidden activities: Agricultural activities, the use of fire or chemicals and other substances, all kinds of professional fishing, amateur fishing, vessel approach and mooring.
Zone A2 The total surface of the Psathoura Island
Zone B (678 km2)
The entire area of Zone B is open to visits and there are no specific restrictions, with the exception of free camping and the lighting of fires. Swimming and walking are amongst the simplest and most interesting ways of coming in contact with the natural environment. In addition, amateur fishing is allowed according to the rules laid down in the Fisheries Code.
There are communities in Zone B, the largest being Patitiri, Palia Alonnisos, Votsi and Steni Vala.[3]
See also
- Alonissos Underwater Museum
- Hawaiian monk seal
- Caribbean monk seal
- Foça
References
- ^ "Marine parks in Greece". Archived from the original on 2014-12-05. Retrieved 2014-11-30.
- ^ (in Greek) Important moments in the history of the Alonnisos Marine Park Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ (in Greek) Permitted and prohibited activities in the NMPA Archived 2008-12-23 at the Wayback Machine