CHALLENGE IN THE IONIAN

An interview with Ioannis D. Pantis,
President of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos

Ioannis Pantis, with guards, in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos

According to Greek mythology, the Ionian Sea derives its name from Io, the nymph whose beauty so enchanted Zeus that Hera, in a fit of jealous rage, had her stung by a gadfly. Maddened with pain, Io plunged into the sea which came to bear her name.

The Ionian Island of Zakynthos, with its emerald sea and pine-clad mountains, was baptised by the Venetians "the flower of the Orient" (Fior' di Levante), while Dionysios Solomos, the father of modern Greek poetry and a native son, wrote, "Zakynthos could make one forget the Elysian Fields".

As in the legend of Odysseus, where Penelope’s beauty and Odysseus’ kingdom attract several rival suitors, so did the Ionian Islands attract its fair share of “admirers”. Over the centuries Romans, Byzantines, Turks, Normans, Franks, French and British all tried to bring the Ionian Islands into their own sphere of influence. It was not until 1864 that the archipelago became incorporated into the newly established Greek State. Slowly but surely, the islands began to attract a new type of admirer. Tourists. Over the years, the trickle turned into a flood, with hotels and tavernas, marinas and even airports sprouting over the archipelago, eventually threatening the very essence of the Islands and what they have represented throughout history. Natural beauty.

The “Pax touristica”, however, has recently been disturbed by the creation of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ), an area dedicated to the protection of the Ionian’s natural heritage, endangered sea turtles and monk seals. Judging from recent arson attacks against the Park, and summary judgements against the Greek state by the European Court for failing to implement EU environmental directives, not every Zakynthian is content with this new ecological reality. But what is the Marine Park of Zakynthos, and why is it polarising public opinion? We caught up with Ioannis Pantis, President of the NMPZ, to learn more...

Tell us something about the history of the Marine Park. When was it established? What is its aim?

The President of the Greek Republic signed the Presidential Decree [Gov. Gazette, 906/D, 22-12-1999] on 1 December 1999, establishing both the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) and its management authority. The Park is situated in Laganas Bay, which is located in the southern region of Zakynthos Island. The primary objective of the Marine Park is to protect the natural environment of Laganas Bay while aiding the local communities to continue developing their economy.

Describe the Park for us, its size, and various protection zones...

	NMPZ Click to enlarge

The Marine Park comprises 2 maritime zones totalling 8,918 hectares. The core maritime zone is split into three sub-zones, Zone A, Zone B and Zone C. In Zone A no boating or recreational fishing is permitted, in Zone B boats may travel at a speed of 6 knots but may not anchor, and in Zone C boats may travel at a speed of 6 knots and anchor. The maritime zone is surrounded by 7 terrestrial core zones (A1, A2, P1, P2, P3, Y and Y’) and 3 zones of protection of habitats (F1, F2 and F3). These protection zones are surrounded by buffer zones of ecotourism development (4 zones) and zones of controlled tourism development (3 zones). The two islands of Strofadia, situated 40 nautical miles off the island of Zakynthos, also form an integral part of the Marine Park. The maritime area of the Park is 89.2 km2, the terrestrial area 14.2 km2 and the buffer zone 31.2 km2.

What is the significance of the Park’s core zones in terms of threatened and endangered species?

The core zones of the Park protect the most important nesting sites of Loggerhead turtles [Caretta caretta] in the Mediterranean, as well as habitat of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal. The protective measures in force in the terrestrial areas also provide refuge for migratory birds, as well as key plant and invertebrate species. Furthermore, the entire area is actually characterised by a variety of habitats of European interest including sand dunes, Posidonia oceanica [sea-grass] beds and submerged reefs, as well as hundreds of species of fauna and flora), some of which are of great importance, such as the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum).

How important is the Marine Park for the survival of the Loggerhead turtle?

According to the IUCN Red Data Book, Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle populations are considered to be under threat of extinction. Greece hosts the only loggerhead nesting sites in Europe. Zakynthos hosts the largest nesting site in Greece with 1000-2000 nests being laid annually on the six nesting beaches, with one beach in particular, Sekania, being the second most densely nested beach by loggerhead sea turtles in the world. In regions of Crete (Rethymno, Hania) and the Peloponnese (Kyparissia and Lakonikos) 500-800 nests are laid annually. Finally, there are other areas in Greece with less than 100 nests laid annually, such as Kefallonia [Zakynthos’ neighbouring island].

On Zakynthos, the six loggerhead nesting beaches form the core zones of the National Marine Park. Sekania beach is completely protected, with access prohibited by road and by sea, except for research purposes.

What role is science playing in the conservation programme?

Archelon [the Sea Turtle Protection Society] monitors all sea turtle activity on all of the six beaches in the Park. There is a tagging programme, a morning survey programme to record the total number of turtle emergences each night, and a percentage of nests are excavated after hatching in order to determine the hatching success rate.

Is research providing any statistical data on the effectiveness of marine turtle conservation efforts?

The Marine Park has only been in existence for 1.5 years, but the breeding cycle of sea turtles is estimated to start after a 20-30 year maturation period. Even 17 years of monitoring data collected by Archelon is not enough to gauge the effects of conservation activities on this long-lived animal!

The Mediterranean monk seal is also a critically-endangered species. Is there any suitable monk seal habitat within the Park’s boundaries? If so, is the Park offering protection to Zakynthos’ threatened monk seal population?

The main habitat of the monk seals is the west coast of Zakynthos, an area that does not belong to the Marine Park. Sightings suggest that the population numbers about 12, of which 2 or 3 have been observed using the Marine Park.

To what extent are monk seals a focus of research by scientists associated with the Park?

At present there is no research being undertaken for the monk seals of Zakynthos, although in the recent past both WWF Greece and Archipelagos have conducted research around the island.

Is there any hope that a satellite reserve might be established to protect surviving monk seals and monk seal habitat on Zakynthos?

As a result of those scientific studies, a management plan for the west coast of Zakynthos and for the habitats of the monk seals, was prepared and submitted to the Greek government, proposing the establishment of a protected area.

To what extent is monk seal habitat now under increasing tourist pressures because of the establishment of the Park? Are we, perhaps, sacrificing one endangered species for another?

Because of the topography of the west coast of Zakynthos – steep hills and inaccessible beaches – there has been no increase in coastal development in the area, despite the slight increase in tourist numbers. Hence, monk seal habitat has not been severely affected by the creation of the Marine Park. In fact, with its public awareness programme and the information it supplies to visitors, I believe the Marine Park can only benefit the monk seals of Zakynthos.

How is the Park’s management structure formulated and how does it operate on a practical basis?

According to the Presidential Decree that established the NMPZ, the Park is governed by a Management Authority that determines management objectives. This authority comprises the President of the Marine Park and nine members, including representatives of the Zakynthian Prefecture and local society, the Ministry of Environment, and private environmental organisations. On average, the Management Authority convenes meetings once or twice every month. Although it acts under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, the Management Authority is actually constituted as a private, non-profit body. [Day-to-day operation of the Park – the responsibility of several full-time staff working in liaison with law enforcement agencies – is overseen by the Management Authority.]

Are local interests adequately represented?

Six out of ten members of the Management Authority are actually representatives of Zakynthian society. In addition, the Prefecture Council of Zakynthos has the task of forming a committee in which all Zakynthian stakeholders will participate.

What kind of resources does the Park receive in order to implement its management plan?

In 2001, the first year of the Park’s operation, there were two income sources. The first was from the Greek Government with a total of Euro 146,735 and the second from the European Union, through a LIFE Environment project, with a total of Euro 284,666. These funds covered the operation of the Management Authority of the Park, the guarding and protection of the loggerhead nesting beaches, public awareness of Park visitors and the construction of signs and guarding huts, and the publication of informative material.

What efforts are being made to involve young locals in the management of the Park?

The Management Authority is making a great effort to involve the locals (and especially those from the Park’s immediate surroundings), either in the Park’s scientific research scheme, in guarding or in public awareness.

The protection of turtle nesting sites and the establishment of the Marine Park has been dogged by controversy for many years. The EU, attempting to pressure the Greek authorities to establish the Park and an effective management authority, has taken legal action against Greece on a number of occasions in an effort to force compliance with EU directives. On the other hand, in 2001, a deliberate arson attack against the Park underlined the lingering hostility that some people obviously still feel towards the protection of the area. What comment do you have on these incidents?

The fire incident burned about 200 hectares of Park area on 11 October 2001 [see ‘Terrorist attack’ on Zakynthos Marine Park, TMG 4(2): November 2001]. As confirmed by the fire brigade service of Zakynthos, this was arson. From the outset, the Management Authority condemned such actions that destroy the natural environment of the Park. In addition, the NMPZ compiled a study for the restoration of the burned area.

On the 30th of January the European Court of Justice announced judgement against the Greek Government for "failing to fulfil its obligation to implement effective and strict protection for the sea turtles Caretta caretta on Zakynthos" [Case C-103/00, see Further Information, below].

This conviction was handed down because, up until 1999, Greece did not implement the required protection measures for the habitat of Laganas Bay. It should be noted, however, that the European Court of Justice appreciated positively the establishment of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. The Commission of the European Communities, the Greek Ministry of Environment and the Management Authority of the NMPZ are co-operating in order to implement the required protection measures and to ensure the protection of the natural environment within the Park area.

Negative attitudes towards the planning, creation and existence of the Park have been a subject of international controversy for many years. Which sectors of the local community are most opposed to the Park, and why?

It has to be understood that, within the Park’s boundaries and buffer zones, live about 7000 people who are mainly occupied in agriculture and tourism. The main reactions against the creation of the Park are coming from those who have been directly affected by the protection measures: landowners. Unfortunately, until now, no compensation measures have been activated for these people. One of the main objectives of the NMPZ is to have these measures implemented.

What efforts, if any, are being undertaken by the Management Authority to improve public awareness of the Park’s objectives?

The NMPZ has already launched public awareness and environmental education schemes on the island, as well as bringing worldwide attention to Zakynthos via the first Nature Film Festival and Ecotourism Symposium. Two information stations are operated for visitors, one at Gerakas in co-operation with a local landowner, and one at Zakynthos town, and daily slide shows are given in hotels.

Guarding is central to the integrity of any protected area. Can you describe the guarding regime in operation in the NMPZ, its organisation and strength, its equipment supply and training?

The Guards hired by the Marine Park are primarily responsible for guarding all entrances to loggerhead nesting beaches in Laganas Bay. The Guards are all Zakynthians, hired from the local communities within and bordering the Marine Park. In 2001, 41 Guards were hired to protect the beaches 24 hours a day from May to October. During the day, they inform beach visitors about the protection laws, advising them to stay within 3-5 metres of the sea. After sunset and before sunrise the Guards enforce the law, whereby no-one is permitted to access the nesting beaches. The Guards’ responsibility is to inform visitors of the existing laws and to record all illegal activities, such as horse riding on the beaches etc. The government law enforcement agencies, such as the Police or Port Police, are informed of any illegal activities and it is their responsibility to ensure the law is obeyed. For this reason the Marine Park and the government law enforcement agencies work in close co-operation.

The marine zones are guarded by the Greek Port Police in co-operation with the NMPZ. The Port Police of Zakynthos have been supplied with a boat by the Ministry of Environment, with the aim of patrolling the maritime area of the park on a daily basis. In addition, if the Marine Park Guards observe illegal activities, such as boats entering Zone A or water sports in zones A, B or C, the Port Police are immediately informed so they can take the required actions.

Prior to their employment, the Guards were all required to participate in a training scheme by skilled NMPZ personnel and the sea turtle protection organization [Archelon].

Has action been taken against those violating Park regulations?

Yes. During 2001 the Port Police reported 50 cases of illegal activities within the marine area. All of those responsible were fined. Furthermore the NMPZ, in co-operation with the Land Service Department and the Police of Zakynthos, have performed checks on businesses operating on the nesting beaches. On 12 July 2001, 60 illegal beach umbrellas were removed from the nesting beach of Kalamaki. On 10 September one beach umbrella operator was sentenced in court to 3 months’ imprisonment for exceeding the number of beach umbrellas allowed on Gerakas beach. The Police have also helped with the problem of deliberate horse riding activities on the nesting beaches. The perpetrators have been stopped and fined on four separate occasions for riding horses on Laganas beach.

How are local economic interests being brought into the conservation process? Is the tourism industry viewing the Park’s creation as a threat or an opportunity?

One of the main aims of the Management Authority is to help native Zakynthians exploit the Park’s economic potential and help the tourist industry benefit from the NMPZ. As such, the NMPZ enjoys good co-operation with the tourist industry and the stakeholders within the Park area.

Can tourism as it exists today on Zakynthos really be compatible with the conservation objectives of the Marine Park?

Thirty years ago, the main occupation for locals was agriculture, but since then development has turned increasingly towards tourism. Today, Zakynthos development is focused on mass tourism. Unfortunately, this type of tourism consumes natural resources and destroys the natural environment. Therefore the NMPZ is aiming to encourage ecotourism and other sustainable development opportunities in the Park and its surroundings. In co-operation with local and foreign stakeholders, the NMPZ is already planning to launch a project for the certification of “Environmental Friendly” businesses, and to assist in the general promotion of sustainable development in the area.

Are any additional measures required from the government in terms of additional legislation in order to ensure greater efficiency in the Park’s operation?

Yes. The compensation scheme for the affected landowners, the delineation of the beaches, and the cadastral plan of Zakynthos.

How do you see the future of Zakynthos and the Marine Park?

The only way that Zakynthos can continue to develop successfully is through the conservation of the natural environment and the promotion of sustainable development. This is the future that the Marine Park envisages for Zakynthos and especially for the area encompassed by the Marine Park.

Our objective is that the NMPZ will attract visitors who respect the environment. This will be achieved with various infrastructure projects, as well as our public awareness efforts. The Marine Park is already in the process of setting-up information centres, putting up visitor information signs, creating nature trails and underwater ‘paths’ for snorkelling and diving.

One of the mottoes of the Marine Park is that “informed visitors are the best allies for the protection of the natural environment”. We believe, in fact, that only if Zakynthos can attract the ecologically aware and if development follows a course that respects the natural environment, will there be a future for the critical habitats and the endangered species that exist within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos.

Biography Ioannis Pantis was born in 1957, in Agioi Pandes, Zakynthos. In 1980 he received his biology degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and in 1987, his PhD from the same institution. He works as an Assistant Professor in the Ecology division of the Department of Biology of AUTH. In 1999 he became President of the European Ecological Federation. Since 17 July 2000, he has been Honorary President of the “Organisation of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos”, the first Management Authority ever for a protected area in Greece.

Acknowledgements

TMG gratefully acknowledges the contribution of Kostas Katselidis (National Marine Park of Zakynthos) in making this interview possible.