Divers Raise Alarm over Pollution in Europe's Largest Marine Park, Greece Plans Expansion

Volunteer divers in the protected marine park off the Greek island of Alonissos have been removing underwater litter, including plastic bottles, a tire, and rusted anchor chains, as part of a European Union-funded cleanup effort to safeguard marine life. Despite the park's reputation for clear waters and its status as Europe's largest protected marine park, pollution remains a problem, especially near the main port of Votsi where tourism and fishing activities are concentrated. The park, established in the early 1990s, shelters one of the last colonies of Monk seals and over 300 fish species, along with dolphins and sea turtles. Greece is expanding its marine protected areas to cover 30% of its territorial waters by 2030 and plans to establish two new marine parks in the Aegean and Ionian seas, supported by initiatives totaling 780 million euros. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to regulate fishing, tourism, and offshore energy while raising awareness of marine pollution risks among locals and tourists. The cleanup and conservation work at Alonissos serve as a model for marine protection and emphasize the importance of individual responsibility in environmental stewardship.