On December 2, 2024, the conference “Marine Protected Areas in Greece: Opportunities and Challenges Towards Achieving the EU 30×30 Target” took place at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Greece. Co-organized by WWF Greece and Greenpeace, with the support of the European Parliament, the event gathered over 100 participants, including government representatives, environmental organisations, scientific experts, and institutional bodies.

The conference contributed to the ongoing public debate on how Greece can meet the EU’s ambitious target of protecting 30% of marine and terrestrial areas by 2030 (the 30×30 target).

Discussions focused on two critical aspects of the goal:

Expanding the MPA Network: Increasing Greece’s Marine Protected Areas to cover 30% of its territorial waters.

Effective Management: Establishing systems to ensure MPAs are well-managed, with clear frameworks and accountability.

Current State of MPAs in Greece

The conference shed light on the stark reality of Greece’s MPA network. Out of 174 marine Natura 2000 sites, only 12 currently have any form of protection, primarily through temporary ministerial decisions. These areas cover less than 3.4% of Greece’s territorial waters, far from the 30% required by the EU’s target.

This event was part of the project “Advancing the 30×30 Target for an Ecologically Representative, Coherent, and Well-Managed Network of Marine Protected Areas in Greece,” implemented by WWF Greece and Greenpeace with funding from Oceans 5.

Expert Contributions and Themes

The conference featured contributions from key figures, including Marta Marrero, Oceans 5 European Program Director, who participated in discussions on both the expansion and management of Greece’s MPA network. Emphasis was placed on addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities to align with EU targets.

 

Closing Address by Maria Damanaki

Maria Damanaki, co-founder of Leading Women for the Ocean, delivered the closing remarks, where she commended the collaborative efforts of WWF Greece and Greenpeace in advancing marine conservation. She emphasized the importance of marine spatial planning as a tool to achieve the 30×30 target, stating:

“Despite all the steps that have been taken, there is still a significant gap between what has been announced and what has been done to achieve the 30×30 goal.”

Her remarks underscored the need for stronger implementation of existing commitments and for bridging the gap between plans and actions.

The conference highlighted the urgent need for Greece to scale up its MPA network and ensure effective management of these areas. It also showcased the potential for collaborative efforts between environmental organizations, governments, and institutional bodies to achieve shared conservation goals.

As Greece works toward the EU 30×30 target, events like this play a crucial role in advancing public dialogue and action on marine conservation.