Greece officially designated the boundaries of two massive marine protected areas—one of them in the Ionian Sea, directly connecting with the Adriatic region.
Covering 9,500 km², the new Ionian marine park bans seabed trawling and aims to protect dolphins, monk seals, sea turtles, and other vulnerable species.
The move places Greece ahead of the EU’s 2030 target to protect 30% of marine territory, and it aligns with broader goals under the Adriatic–Ionian Initiative and EUSAIR.
The development sets a new standard for marine conservation in the region and may prompt similar efforts in Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia.
