European Commission, Press release, Brussels, 28 March 2014:
The European Commission is taking
Greece to Court for a failure to provide adequate protection for
endangered sea turtles. The case concerns developments in Kyparissia Bay
in the Western Peloponnese, one of the most important nesting beaches
for caretta caretta loggerhead turtles in the
Mediterranean, and an area protected under EU legislation. A high
number of developments and construction activities are being tolerated
and given permits in the area, and the developments are having a
significant negative effect on the endangered turtles. On the
recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, the
Commission is referring the case to the EU Court of Justice.
Under European legislation,
Member States must establish and implement an effective system of strict
protection for species such as the sea turtle caretta caretta,
a species that is under threat all around the world. These measures
oblige Member States to ensure that species are not disturbed during
their breeding period, and to limit any activity that might lead to a
deterioration of the animals' breeding sites. Kyparissia Bay is
protected under Natura 2000, an EU-wide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive. The aim of the Natura legislation is to assure the long-term well-being of Europe's most endangered species and their habitats.
The Commission first raised its
concerns in a letter of formal notice to the Greek government in October
2011, and repeated them in a 'reasoned opinion' one year later. Greece
acknowledged the need for measures and prepared an Action Programme and a
timetable for its implementation. But almost two years after the
preparation of the programme little progress has been made. The
Commission has learned that construction developments are continuing and
that the turtles' habitats protected under EU legislation are suffering
as a result. As the 2014 nesting season is about to begin, it has
therefore been decided to call Greece before the EU Court of Justice.
Background
Caretta caretta
loggerhead turtles are mainly carnivorous animals that grow up to a
metre long and can weigh up to 170 kilos. It is thought that 80% of the
loggerheads nesting in the Mediterranean now nest on the coasts of the
Ionian Sea, mostly on the island of Zakynthos, on six beaches that total
only five kilometres in length, and in Kyparissia Bay. There are
between 800 and 2000 nests each year. Loggerhead turtles are an
endangered species, classified as "facing a very high risk of extinction
in the wild in the near future." They travel vast distances at sea,
before returning to nesting areas. Females lay eggs in nests 2 - 5 times
in one breeding season, returning to breed every couple of years.
[europa.eu]
28/3/14
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