In the past year, we had the privilege of being involved in 2 missions whose aim was not only to clean up the sea of lost fishing gear, but also to promote the need for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Santorini (Greece) and the Aeolian Islands (Italy).
Well-managed, well-sized, well-protected marine sanctuaries have proved to have a positive impact on the marine environment while also generating substantial economic benefits by extending the touristic season beyond the summer months and creating jobs, in addition to helping fish stocks replenish.
In the future, we hope to see progress being made in these 2 areas, which unfortunately are in dire need of protection, and to have the opportunity to contribute to swift and well-placed designations of other MPAs, by raising awareness.
If you want to read more about the importance of MPAs, we suggest this article by Pierre-Yves Cousteau https://cousteaudivers.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/sanctuary/
Because we were interested to learn how the public views MPAs, we carried out a social media campaign last Fall. Below are some of the photos submitted. Thank you to everyone who participated for actively caring for the well being for the seas and oceans.
- Photo: George Gkantis August 2016, Alonissos Marine Park, Greece
- Photo: Erin Jones July 2018, Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Australia.
- Photo: Evagoras A. Isaias Melleha Bay, Ghadira Beach, Malta: Seagrass matte shallow reef, posidonia patches, seagrass Cymodocea nodosa habitat, Cystoseira spp. and other photophilic algae communities growing on dead matte habitat.
- Photo by: Iñaki Franco González April 2018, Cabrera Island, Mallorca Island
- Submitted by: Juan Carlos Medina Hernandez Reserva Marina Galera-San Francisco, Ecuador
- Photo by: Luke Charles-Short 12 September 2018, Sosúa Bay / Dominican Republic The bay has been protected as a marine park since 2005
- Photo by: Michelle Taylor Dragon Bay, part of the Molinere-Beausejour marine protected, Grenada, Spain. “This little sun anemone shrimp was about half the size of my pinkie, and yet his importance in the world is as great as a blue whale. I think it’s really important people know that the small stuff is awesome too.”
- Photo by: Susan DeCanio July 2018, San Salvador, Bahamas 2 locals who call the National Marine Park home and often interact with divers