Greece: 15,000km of coastline to protect

Greece has one of the longest coastlines in Europe, but suffers from multiple threats that include overfishing, pollution, coastal development, unsustainable tourism, invasive species and marine traffic.  

Blue Marine has launched more than ten collaborative projects across Greece in the past four years to create new marine protected areas (MPAs), strengthen management of existing ones, and safeguard vital habitats and species. 

In 2024, the Greek government committed to expanding its MPA network from 20 to 32 per cent and announced a ban on bottom-trawling in MPAs by 2030 – the first in Europe. Then in July 2025, the government announced the establishment of four new fishing-protected areas around Amorgos in the Aegean. Their confirmation by presidential decree marked the end of an 11-year campaign by local fishers – the ‘Amorgorama’ initiative – supported by Blue Marine. 

Amorgorama has become a shining example of cooperation between fishers, scientists, institutions, civil society and both local and national authorities. The protection of Amorgos is the first step in Greece’s commitment to designate 10 per cent of its territorial waters as no-fishing zones. Inspiring hope for fishing communities across Greece and the Mediterranean, a vision has become reality. 

• In December 2024, government declares Formicula a strictly protected area, the result of work by Blue Marine, iSea and Tethys Research Institute. 

• Mapping supported by our Blue Climate unit gathers enough evidence to advocate for the protection of Erimitis Bay in Corfu.