Greek Funding Shortfall Abandons Turtles to Tourist Onslaught

ATHENS, Greece, July 2, 2004 (ENS) - The largest nesting population of Mediterranean loggerhead turtles will vanish unless the Greek government puts a stop to uncontrolled tourism, which is degrading nesting beaches, according to the global conservation organization WWF and the local Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles.

The largest Mediterranean population of loggerhead turtles nests on the island of Zakynthos, which normally hosts between 800 and 1,100 nests in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ).

But WWF says the park's management authority has now ceased all operations due to lack of funds and government support. As a result, the beaches set aside for turtle populations are left unprotected and have turned into a sprawling tourist "free for all."

Loggerhead swims in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. (Photo courtesy NMPZ)

The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (MEDASSET) warned back in March that while the Greek government announced funding for the Zakynthos National Marine Park, the full time staff of the park had not been paid for eight months, and the 2003 seasonal beach guards only received half of their salaries.

The management agency of the park said that of €200,000 allocated in 2003, the government only paid the park €37,000.

Two quarries operating within the boundaries of the park continue to expand, destroying the skyline of Scopos Mountain, MEDASSET warns.

The Greek organization says that an obsolete biological waste treatment plant above the nesting beaches continues to pollute the sea.

"Without any reference to the Park Authority, but apparently with a permit from the local administration, construction of a huge holiday village by Alkyonides Villages AXTEE within the park was commenced and proceeded to roof level, before a temporary injunction could be obtained from the Courts," said MEDASSET.

In addition, a new illegal building has been started close to Daphne nesting beach.

"Sadly," MEDASSET said, "experience tells us that the above constructions will eventually be completed."

Tourists line a beach on the Greek island of Zakynthos. (Photo courtesy Greek Travel)

"Hardly a vote that will make much difference to the running of the Park," commented MEDASSET.

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos was established in 1999 as Greece's first marine park for the conservation of marine turtles and the sustainable development of the island, but it has not been successful in achieving either goal.

The WWF criticizes Greece for not enforcing the European Union's Habitat Directive, which requires the Greek government to implement effective measures to protect the endangered loggerhead turtles.

In January 2002, the European Court of Justice declared that Greece had failed to protect the loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos and was in violation of European Union law. A second decision is expected soon.

"We urge the Greek government to respect its international commitments and take immediate action to protect this critical habitat," WWF said.

Loggerhead females start coming ashore to nest by the end of May and finish nesting by the end of July. WWF observes that the peak of the tourist season coincides with the start of the hatching of the turtle eggs in August.

Loggerhead hatchlings try to make their way to the sea in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. (Photo courtesy NMPZ)

"Although marine turtles can play an important role in improving the economic well-being of coastal communities through well-managed ecotourism, this kind of uncontrolled tourism must be stopped," said Dr. Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF's Global Species Program.

"It is not acceptable that beaches once protected for turtles are now the domain of sunbathers, swimmers and ice cream vendors," she said.

Marine turtles are very sensitive to human disturbances and fulfill important roles in marine ecosystems, WWF explains. As loggerhead females always return to the same nesting ground, it is crucial that their natural nesting habitats are protected.

Lights from hotels and restaurants distract the nesting females and disorientate the hatchlings as they make their way to the sea. In addition, nests can be trampled by tourists.

The WWF says these impacts multiplied by the natural risks to hatchlings mean that out of about 1,000 turtles that hatch, only one will reach adulthood.

The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is one of the two marine turtle species that reproduce in the Mediterranean. The other species is the Green Turtle which nests in Turkey and Cyprus.