Amvrakikos Gulf is becoming a dead zone, as the life in the Gulf, and the people that depend on it, are threatened by hypoxia and anoxia – a shortage, or a complete absence, of oxygen in the water. The deterioration is due to pollution, mostly from agricultural runoff, while habitat destruction and overfishing are stripping the ecosystem of its natural balance. Lack of proper management, enforcement, and community engagement only make the Gulf more vulnerable.
A multifaceted approach that integrates ecological restoration, community engagement, and policy change. By improving key species populations, reducing pollution and illegal fishing, and fostering local stewardship through education and alternative livelihoods, we can give the Gulf’s ecosystems the chance to recover and thrive.
This will lead to more resilient habitats, better biodiversity, and enhanced ecosystem services for the benefit of both the environment and local communities. Finally, the project aims to create a scalable model for seascape restoration, which can be applied to other areas across Greece and the Mediterranean.
The Amvrakikos Gulf in the eastern Mediterranean spans 400 sq km that support diverse marine life, including critically endangered bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, elasmobranchs and the near-extinct Pinna nobilis mussel.
Funded by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme, the project here aims to protect and restore the Gulf’s habitats, improve ecosystem resilience, and promote long-term sustainability through integrated conservation efforts.
The focus will be on active restoration of the fan mussel and sea birds’ nesting habitats, reducing human-induced pressures – such as pollution, illegal fishing, and unregulated tourism – while engaging local communities in conservation efforts.
Rich in sea life, poor in conservation – Greece aims to transform that narrative with a recent commitment to protecting 32 per cent of its waters by 2030. Blue Marine supports ocean protection here across ten different projects .
Posidonia Oceanica seagrass is one of the most important blue carbon ecosystems in the Mediterranean, and supports crucial fisheries. To counter threats from pollution, coastal development and anchoring, Blue Marine is pioneering techniques to restore it.
From kelp forests and cold-water corals to blue whales and orcas, the waters of southern Chile teem with exceptional biodiversity. Blue Marine works with multiple partners to keep this wild place wild.
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