Řecké hot-spots

The Big Blue: Pollution and the Greek Seas

Greece\'s maritime civilization dates back to 3000 BC. Cretan, Aegean and Mycenean people, and later Athenians and famous modern-day ship-owners, like Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos, have all contributed to Greece\'s long tradition as a maritime nation.

Greek maritime civilization was the central theme of the country\'s exhibits at the last World Expos (Seville 1992 and Lisbon 1998). This remarkable tradition, however, translates into a serious responsibility for the present and the future: The preservation of a clean and healthy marine environment.

Sea pollution is a global environmental problem, but certain regions suffer more. Particularly sensitive regions have been termed \"hot spots\" by the UNEP and there are several such areas in Greece.

 \"Hot spots\" in Greece (Source UNEP/MAP 1998, 1999)

•  Elefsis Bay 
•  Heraklion Gulf 
•  N.W. Saronic Gulf 
•  Inner Saronic Gulf 
•  Nea Karvali Bay 
•  Thermaikos Gulf 
•  Amvrakikos Gulf 
•  Larymna Bay 
•  Pagasitikos Gulf 
•  Lagoon of Messolonghi 
•  Patraikos Gulf 

An analysis of marine pollution incidents for 1995, provided by the Marine Environment Protection Division of the Ministry of Mercantile Marine, showed that pollution from ships was detected in 71 cases, from land sources in 70 cases, and from other unknown sources in 154 cases.