EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF GYAROS MPA

THE NEED

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is a threatened marine mammal and the only pinniped species found in the Mediterranean Sea. Greece is home to half of the world’s monk seals, and their largest breeding population can be found on Gyaros Island in the Cyclades.

The presence of this incredibly significant population was one of the primary reasons why WWF Greece and its partners focused their conservation efforts on the island, leading to the establishment of the Gyaros Marine Protected Area (MPA), officially designated by the Greek government in 2019.

THE PROGRAM

For the survival and recovery of the monk seal, WWF Greece continues to play an active role through advocacy actions and interventions to consolidate and secure the effective in situ management of Gyaros MPA.

The program foresees the operation of the Management Unit of Protected Areas in Central Aegean, supervised by NECCA, which is now staffed with specialized personnel, and capable of ensuring the effective management and protection of the area. In addition, within the framework of the program, the remote surveillance system of Gyaros MPA will be transferred to NECCA.

Finally, through strong advocacy efforts, a population control plan will be put in place, for feral pigs recently released illegally on Gyaros, aiming to result in a 70% decrease in their population.