At the 9th Our Ocean Conference, the Foundation pledged to allocate €13 million over the next five years to actions addressing pollution and restoring the marine environment. As part of this commitment, the new “Saronicos Project” program was created, for which €1.5 million will be allocated.
The Saronic Gulf, one of Greece’s most iconic gulfs with great cultural and historical significance, faces serious environmental pressures, particularly in its northern zone, which is one of the most degraded marine areas in the country.
The “Saronicos Project” aims to holistically map and restore the bay through scientific documentation, targeted interventions, and active participation by civil society.
The main pillars of the program are:
- Mapping of the seabed (waste, shipwrecks, anchorages, underwater cultural heritage sites, etc.)
- Assessment of priority habitats in terms of their ecological status
- Study of microplastics and chemical pollution, as well as their sources and impacts
- Mapping and removal of abandoned fish farms
- Recording of sea caves and other ecologically important formations
Removal of abandoned fish farm in Methana with Healthy Seas
The results of the research will be compiled into an extensive database, which will serve as a valuable tool for designing policies and strategies for the restoration of the Saronic Gulf environment.
At the same time, the program will implement field and awareness-raising actions, such as:
- Coastal and seabed clean-ups, with waste recording and water sampling
- Information and education campaigns for residents, professionals in the area, and students of all levels
- Establishment of a Saronic Volunteer Network for the long-term care of the area
- Organization of a thematic conference to present the results and prospects of the project
With the “Saronicos Project”, the Foundation aims to create a model plan for the holistic protection and restoration of the country’s polluted marine areas, starting with the Saronic Gulf.
