January 24, 2014

The Cyclades at the forefront

In 2011, Gyaros and the surrounding marine area around the island became part of the Natura 2000 Protected Network because of the presence on the island of a unique population of Mediterranean Monk Seals Monachus monachus. Already from 1979, the Ministerial Decision 5278/39B/22-01-1979 had banned all fisheries actions around the island of Gyaros, without setting however specific boundaries.

In January 2014, a concrete step was implemented for the protection of the marine environment of Gyaros. The area up to a radius of 3 nautical miles around the island was designated a no fishing zone, according to the official publication at the Government Gazette. The banning is effective as of the 24th of January 2014.

The CYCLADES LIFE team will work together with the societies of Andros and Syros for a living sea in the broader marine area surrounding the island of Gyaros.

Read more here.