The 44th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Council of Europe), held from December 2 to December 6, 2024, once again highlighted the immense pressures facing sea turtle nesting beaches in key areas such as Laganas Bay, Kyparissia Bay, and beaches in Türkiye and Cyprus. MEDASSET, (with the collaboration of ARCHELON and WWF Greece) participating in the 44th meeting, presented its 2024 field assessments, underscoring the urgent need for immediate and effective measures to safeguard these critical habitats.
Laganas Bay continues to confront severe environmental threats, with the restoration of the area remaining uncertain. A key issue is the illegal construction of a road within the Zakynthos National Marine Park (ZNMP). Although a €200,000 fine was imposed in 2018, it was overturned in January 2024 by an unauthorized court in Pyrgos (Ilia), without notifying the environmental organizations with a legal interest in the case. MEDASSET and WWF Greece have taken legal action, and in July 2024, a criminal court found the landowner guilty of environmental degradation. The case was revisited in September 2024, with further proceedings scheduled at the Corfu Administrative Court in spring 2025.
Regarding the restoration of the landfill (XYTA) within the ZNMP, the situation remains unresolved. In November 2023, the European Commission referred Greece to the EU Court of Justice for its failure to restore the site. The process is still at an early stage, with planning and permitting delayed. The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is yet to be issued, followed by a public procurement process. MEDASSET calls on the Greek government to act urgently to address these pressing issues.
The Commission has accepted MEDASSET’s request for an on-site assessment in 2025 by a representative of the Bern Convention, with the case remaining open.
Kyparissia Bay continues to face significant threats, despite the 2016 EU condemnation of Greece for failing to implement protective measures. The 2018 Presidential Decree remains unenforced, while the much-anticipated Management Plan has stagnated for seven years without even reaching the public consultation phase. These delays leave the area vulnerable to further harm and subject Greece to ongoing international criticism.
During its 2024 field assessment, MEDASSET identified ongoing destructive activities, including ongoing construction of illegal buildings along the coastline, two brand new constructions of buildings within the Nature Protection zone, continued planting of alien species on the nesting beaches and destruction of the protected dunes, nearshore fishing, vehicular access to the nesting beaches via illegal roads, lack of beach furniture management and light pollution
The Commission has accepted MEDASSET’s request for an on-site assessment in 2025 by a representative of the Bern Convention, with the case remaining open.
The most important sea turtle nesting beaches in Türkiye face ongoing threats, with unchecked development and disregard for legal enforcement causing the destruction of valuable habitats. In Anamur, interventions by local authorities, such as infrastructure projects and uncontrolled urban expansion, continue to inflict irreparable damage. Any improvements are minimal and fragmented. In July 2024, Dr. Allan Rees conducted an on-site assessment on behalf of the Bern Convention, confirming MEDASSET’s findings along with those of the local NGO MERCED.
In Fethiye, the failure to implement Recommendation No. 183 (2015) has placed one of the country’s most critical nesting beaches in immediate jeopardy, as human activities escalate unchecked. At Patara, improvements are limited to the central beach, while other areas remain neglected. Recommendation No. 182 (2015) remains unimplemented, rendering the protection of these beaches virtually nonexistent.
Similarly, the Akamas Peninsula in Cyprus remains vulnerable, with illegal activities and inadequate protective measures jeopardizing conservation efforts. Despite decades of international interventions, threats to the nesting areas persist.
The chronic delays in protecting sea turtle nesting beaches highlight the urgent need for authorities to take immediate action. We call for the implementation of effective protection measures, strengthened monitoring, and enforcement to ensure the sustainability of these invaluable ecosystems.
The cases concerning Türkiye and Cyprus remain open.
The Director of MEDASSET, Georgios Sampson states: “The decisions of the 44th Standing Committee of the Bern Convention showcase their keen interest in resolving these open case files without compromising the obligations of the governments of Greece and Türkiye, which are based on the published Recommendations and the ongoing need to protect sea turtles.”
Read the full decisions of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on Greece, Cyprus, and Türkiye HERE
