Apr
10
Author: Venizelos, L. & V. Mikos
Date: (in press)
Journal: Proceedings of the 34th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, New Orleans, USA, 10-17 April 2014
Apr
10
Author: Nada, M.A., L. Boura., K. Grimanis, G. Schofield, M. A. El-Alwany, N. Noor, M. M. Ommeran, B. Rabia
Date: (in press)
Journal: Proceedings of the 34th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, New Orleans, USA, 10-17 April 2014
Apr
10
Author: Venizelos, L. & V. Mikos
Date: (in press)
Journal: Proceedings of the 34th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, New Orleans, USA, 10-17 April 2014
Mar
01
Feb
26
Monitoring the status of important sea turtle nesting beaches in the Mediterranean, against unsustainable development to bring about improved management is an important goal for MEDASSET. CYPRUS Akamas & Limni: These important green and loggerhead turtle nesting beaches are only protected on paper, as conservation measures are still not in force despite the fact that the beaches belong to the European Union’s (EU) Natura 2000 network of protected sites. In addition, the habitat in Limni is under threat because the land behind the nesting beach is not part of the protected zone. Following complaints, the European Commission stepped in and there is an ongoing process regarding the inadequate designation of the site boundaries for both Akamas and Limni. 2013 saw further degradation of the sites. In Limni, NGO Terra Cypria reported sand ploughing during the nesting season. This is the same site where the largest golf resort in the Mediterranean will be constructed. Disregarding objections from NGOs and scientists, authorities recently cancelled the 500 m buffer zone between the resort and the beach, and decided on a 20 m zone instead, with no justification. MEDASSET is working with Terra Cypria to convince the Cypriot government to revoke this decision and […]
Feb
21
Europe ringed in the New Year with a brand new fisheries policy. After four decades, the European Union’s (EU) common fisheries policy has been reformed to place the marine environment and sustainable livelihoods in the forefront. This is especially important for the Mediterranean Sea, where 88% of studied fish stocks are overfished, and destructive fishing threatens the survival of marine species such as sea turtles but also of fishing-reliant local communities. Since 2012 we are working side by side with the pan-European Ocean2012 group of organisations that monitor the reform of the fisheries policy and of the €1.6 billion fund that will subsidise fisheries till 2020, with EU taxpayers money. Throughout 2013, we directly lobbied Greek Ministers and Members of the European Parliament, requesting that they vote against policies that fuel overfishing and support a fund that will invest in better instead of more fishing. The reform process has now concluded. In summary, the Ocean2012 coalition campaign: – secured a legally binding target to end EU overfishing by 2020 – defeated proposals for compulsory transferable fishing concessions (fishing quotas) – ensured the inclusion of mitigation measures such as creation of marine protected areas, gradual elimination of wasteful discarding practices and […]