Sporades Sea Park

Sophia Vasiliadi♥Mihalenia Dosoula ♥

Information

The National Marine Park of Alonnisos in Northern Sporades, is the first Marine Park in Greece and the largest protected marine area in Europe (approximately 2,220 km2). Besides the sea area, the park includes the island of Alonissos, 6 smaller islands (Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Psathoura, Pepper, Skantzoura and Jura) and 22 islets

In 1988 a Joint Ministerial Decision follows on the protection of the monk seal which was subsequently renewed in 1990.

Some pictures

Information about the animals that live there

The most important and beloved resident of the Park is the Mediterranean monk seal, the seal Monachus Monachus, the Monk seal.

From ancient Greek years it had won the sympathy of the people as it was represented in ancient Greek coins and it was praised by the greatest poet of antiquity, Homer.

It is one of the largest seal species in the world and to survive it consumes food to 5% of its weight. In the Mediterranean and the coast of North Atlantic about 500 seals live, but the largest population resides in the National Marine Park of Alonissos. In the caves of desert islands, especially the island Pepper, which is the core of the park, seals find shelter and a safe place to bring to the world their young babies once a year.

Some people taking care of seals♥

The fishing Organization of Alonissos helps significantly with the protection of the seal that is a

health indicator of the marine environment.Although this animal is very clever it avoids contact with people, but in your journey you may be lucky

enough to see it!Maybe in the corner of your eye you will be able to

see a dark figure to tear the water, or secretly admire it sunbathing at a seaside or even some

nights you may hear it snoring!

Ο χάρτης

The end