CYCLADES "Integrated monk seal conservation in Northern Cyclades"

CYCLADES Life led to the designated and established of a Wildlife Refuge in the marine area around the island of Gyaros. This new Marine Protected Area was established based on the Ecosystem Based Management approach. The project improved habitats, and greatly increased the knowledge of seals, birds and plants in the Natura 2000 site Nisos Gyaros Kai Thalassia Zoni, which includes the island of Gyaros and a surrounding marine area.
The project team systematically monitored the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) population in Gyaros. They improved the seals habitat through clean-up campaigns of the beaches, sea caves and sea bottom, removing debris that is potentially hazardous for the seal and other species. This included removing ghost fishing gear, especially from Posidonia (seagrass) beds. Project actions led to improvements in the conservation status of Mediterranean monk seal, Yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), and Posidonia bed and reef habitats.
The project team purchased and installed radar equipment and a high definition camera on Gyaros to monitor vessel traffic and support the surveillance against illegal fishing. Monitoring was greatly improved through the establishment of the radar on the Gyaros mountaintop, as well as by the project team's patrols. They also purchased a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and training personnel to operate it remotely.
A good knowledge base was established, for the first time, for Gyaros' terrestrial and marine environment (species and habitats). The project team discovered, for the first time, a large Yelkouan shearwater colony on Gyaros. The project team also installed and tested artificial dens for enhancing the octopus population, with encouraging preliminary results. The project team reviewed the relevant literature, and produced technical reports on marinehabitats, fisheries, and the status of birds, and the flora and fauna, of Gyros. They produced a Special Environmental Study (SES) for the formal designation of the Natura 2000 site of Gyaros as a Marine Protected Area. The SES was submitted for formal adoption to the Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy & Climate Change (HMEECC).
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the Coast Guard for the establishment of collaboration for the full and continued implementation of the guarding system. A key part of the projects success was the establishment of a good relationships with the competent authorities and relevant stakeholders. This included the establishment of a Consortium of Stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of project actions.
The project team successfully demonstrated a good example of the Ecosystem Based Management and Spatial Planning approach. This provides a model that could be replicated and adapted for other areas.
The project contributes to the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, by targeting improvements in the conservation status of species and habitats listed in their annexes. It is also of high relevance for the EU Biodiversity Strategy, as well as for the Common Fisheries Policy, the Marine Framework Strategy Directive, and national Greek policy concerning protected marine areas.
An extensive socio-economic survey was also conducted on the nearby islands of Syros and Andros. This was accompanied by the organisation of seminars for local stakeholders in Syros and Andros, along with a wider environmental education campaign. Socio-economic benefits include enhanced potential for sustainable ecotourism activities with the involvement of local people, improved fishing yields, and improved and protected natural habitats for future generations.