Issue No.10July 2011 - April 2012

IN THIS ISSUE

-Care + Information= Results!

-Promoting ConservationPolicies in Albania

-First Satellite TrackingProgramme in AlbaniaCompleted!

-23 years of Advocacy at theBern Convention Meeting

-Zakynthos, Greece: TheEternal Problems Continue...

-Campaign: Turtles in Troublein Fethiye, Turkey

-The Turtle OdysseyConference

-Education

-Events

-Racing for the Sea Turtles!

-Dive into Conservation

-Ocean 2012 Coalition

-Latest from Kyparissia

-Sea Turtle Stamps

-MEDASSET Greece: NewBoard of Directors

-Latest Publications

-Volunteers

-Gift Shop

Care + Information= Results!It was in 2008 that we were alerted by tourists visiting the Alghero Aquarium in Sardinia,Italy. They reported about the appalling conditions under which two loggerhead turtles wereheld at the Aquarium.

The Born Free Foundation also followed the tourists’ email complaints. We immediatelycontacted the curator of the Naples Aquarium at the “Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn” (SZN)in Naples, Dr. Flegra Bentivegna for help. The two turtles were held at the Aquarium,respectively, for 30 and 20 years.

The turtles were seized at last in 2011 by the local authorities and were transferred toOristano, Sardinia, to the Sinis Rescue Centre (CRES) at the IAMC-CNR laboratory (Institutefor Coastal Marine Environment - National Research Council) and placed in a 3,000 lt.rehabilitation tank. Both turtles were suffering from malnutrition, were underweight, theirshells were covered with algae, parasites and injuries. The absence of natural sunlight in thesubterranean structure where the two turtles were kept in captivity in a small tank, causedthem to have calcium assimilation deficit.

Since rehabilitation started, their weight has increased, their diet is regular in quantity andquality. The turtles will soon be transferred to a 14,000 lt. tank for locomotory rehabilitationand their pre-releasing phase.

CRES plans to release the turtles in the future and to monitor their migratory routes throughsatellite tracking in collaboration with the SZN.

When people care enough to pass along information, then we can act!

Lily VenizelosPresident MEDASSETIUCN MTSG Member

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Racing for Sea Turtles!

John doubled the distance;will you help him double thefunds?

On June 10th, John Flynn will beracing again for MEDASSET's seaturtle conservation projects, in theWicklow Cycling Challenge in Ireland.Last year John completed the 100km race and the crowd respondeddonating over £380! This time hewill be doubling the distance andcycling the 200km race. If you wishto support John and help him reachhis target, please click here.

Dive intoConservation!

A new short film about ourwondrous marine biodiversity

The 45 second Public ServiceAnnouncement "Dive intoConservation" was aired in thesummer of 2011 on 26 major TVchannels in Greece and Cyprus. Thevibrant animation explores theinextricable link between the sea,human kind, and biodiversity,engaging its audiences with dazzlingimages. It aims to raise awarenessof the need for environmentalprotection, and invite the public totake an active part in conserving Lifeon Earth.

"Dive into Conservation" was createdfor MEDASSET by Thopis, a talentedanimator, and its production wassponsored by Dolphin CapitalFoundation (DCF), a charitable entity

Left to Right: Mr. E. Halimi (Head ofFauna, Flora & Soil Sector, Ministry ofEnvironment), L. Venizelos, Dr. P. Abeshi(Director of General Directorate of Policy,Ministry of Environment), Mr. AtefOuerghi (Marine Biology Expert,RAC/SPA), Prof. Dr. I. Haxhiu (Presidentof Herpetofauna Albanian Society)

Promoting Conservation Policies in AlbaniaDuring the project "Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds inthe Patok Area of Albania 2008-2010", we identified the factors that constrain sea turtleconservation in Albania and key threats to the species and their habitats. An assessment ofthe existing national legal and institutional framework was also carried out in October 2010.In conjunction with the 2008-2010 research results, these elements were synthesised into aworkable and enforceable "Action Plan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles and their Habitatsin Albania", as well as some "Management Recommendations for Drini Bay".

During July-December 2011 we contactedAlbanian stakeholders and experts andrequested their feedback. In October 2011, weorganized a workshop in Tirana to discuss theproposed documents. Representatives of theMinistry of Environment, Forests and WaterAdministration (MoEFWA) and the RegionalActivity Centre for Specially Protected Areas(RAC/SPA) of UNEP's Mediterranean ActionPlan, Albanian university professors andresearchers, fishermen and local NGOsattended the meeting and provided theircomments, highlighting the importance of theimplementation of the Action Plan and theRecommendations. The reviewed Action Planwas submitted to the MoEFWA in January 2012and is expected to be adopted within the year.

The Action Plan is available online in English and in Albanian and aims to serve as aroadmap for the development of sea turtle monitoring and protection throughout Albania. Toread the "Management Recommendations for Drini Bay" which were also provided to theMoEFWA click here.

The activity was implemented in collaboration with the MoEFWA, with financial support fromthe MAVA Foundation (Switzerland) and under the auspices of the Barcelona Convention andthe RAC/SPA of UNEP/MAP. MEDASSET will follow up on the adoption of the Action Plan andfurther assist the Albanian Government in promoting sea turtle research and conservationactivities.

Special thanks to our volunteers Marina Mitro and Enerit Sacdanaku for their valuable helpbefore and during the workshop!

First Satellite Tracking Programme in AlbaniaCompleted!

The second year of the project "Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea TurtleFeeding Grounds in the Patok Area of Albania 2008-10" included satellite tracking of threeLoggerhead turtles. On September 12th 2009, in Patok, two male turtles and one femalewere fitted with transmitters that allowed the project team to follow their movements fortwo years. The programme achieved its aim by providing evidence that turtles return toDrini Bay interannually, including the exact timing of this return. The data provided from thethree turtles has helped to reinforce proposals for Drini Bay to be recognised as a nationallyand regionally important foraging and developmental habitat for sea turtles in theMediterranean, and highlighted the need for these endangered species to be protectedeffectively under Albanian law.

You can find more information on the migration of the turtles and maps at "Turtle Tracking"

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dedicated to helping localcommunities in areas where itinvests. You can view the animationhere.

The short film will soon be shown inmore countries in the Mediterranean,so look out for it!

Latest from Kyparissia

Despite assurances by the GreekMinistry of Environment, Energy andClimate Change (MoEECC), theconstruction of 50 luxury houses is inprogress near the shore. Over thepast few days, the construction offive roads with direct access to thenesting beach has been destroyingone of Greece's few remaining well-preserved sand dune systems, andindigenous vegetation, while severaltrees in the coastal forest were putdown. No Environmental ImpactAssessments (EIAs) were carried outfor any of the above mentionedillegal actions, although EIAs are aprerequisite for sites such as ThinesKyparissias which belongs to theEuropean Network of ProtectedAreas NATURA 2000.

Several trees in thecoastal forest of Elaia

were put down

Furthermore, none of the demolitionorders issued by the Public RealEstate Agency have beenimplemented and illegalconstructions in the area (cantines,bars, wooden decks) remainundisturbed.

on our website. A scientific paper is also in preparation, providing a detailed analysis of thestudy. A Special Thanks to the 2008-10 project funders and the "adoptive parents" whosupported the satellite tracking programme and the presentation of its results internationallythrough our "Adopt the Turtle" scheme.

23 years of Advocacy at the Bern Convention Meeting

MEDASSET attended the 31st Meeting of the Contracting Partiesto the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife andNatural Habitats - the Bern Convention - at the Council of Europe,in Strasbourg, France, 29 Nov. - 2 Dec. 2011.

Following our intervention at the Meeting regarding the illegalactivities and developments at the nesting beaches in SouthernKyparissia Bay, Greece, which holds the second largest

loggerhead sea turtle nesting population in the Mediterranean after Zakynthos island,Greece, the Delegate of the European Commission (EC) to the Bern Convention, reportedthat on October 28th 2011, the EC sent a Letter of Formal Notice to the Greek governmentasking it to present its views regarding infringements described in MEDASSET's complaint(August 2010) and the initial legal assessment made by the Commission, within 2 months.MEDASSET will continue to follow up the situation in Kyparissia and keep the EuropeanUnion (EU) and the Convention updated. On November 29th, we wrote to the Chair of theBern Convention Standing Committee requesting an on-the-spot appraisal of the site by theConvention as soon as possible.

The following Update Reports were submitted to the Bern Convention:

Sea turtle mortality in the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) of Episkopi and Akrotiri(Cyprus). 30th August 2011. Available here.

Development plans in Kyparissia Bay, Southern Kyparissia (Western Peloponnese,Greece). September 2011. Available here.

Update on loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) conservation monitoring in Fethiye,Turkey. December 2011. Available here.

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MEDASSET is happy tobe part of the Ocean

2012 coalition

Dedicated to ensuring that the 2012reform of the EU Common FisheriesPolicy stops overfishing, endsdestructive fishing practices anddelivers fair and equitable use ofhealthy fish stocks.

Sea turtle stamps ofGreece

On February 21, 2012, the HellenicPost Office issued the definitive setof stamps "Riches of the GreekSeas". Ten species are depicted, oneof which the Loggerhead sea turtle(Caretta caretta), shown above.

MEDASSET has obtained a smallamount of Loggerhead stamps and ismaking them available to philatelistsand sea turtle enthusiasts around theworld through our website, whereyou will also find a Loggerhead seaturtle stamp issued by the HellenicPost Office in 1990 and other seaturtle Philatelic memorabilia.

The world's first sea turtle stampwas issued by the Cayman Islands inthe Caribbean in 1932. By 1990, seaturtles had been featured on 284issues in 77 countries. To date,1,600 stamps have been issued in194 countries featuring sea turtles.

Tourists on sea turtle spottingboats are not informed of thePark’s good behaviour andcautious monitoring code in themarine area

Zakynthos, Greece: The eternal problems continue...

In mid July 2011 following a delay of nine months, theGreek Ministry of Environment Energy and Climate Change(YPEKA) finally released the necessary operational funds tothe Zakynthos National Marine Park (ZNMP) from the EUco-funded Operational Programme "Environment andSustainable Development" (EPERAA).

The funds covered salaries owed to ZNMP staff sinceNovember 2010, and should cover running costs andactivities of the Park Agency for the next 5 years. Thedelayed disbursement of funds, however, had alreadycaused problems to the Management Agency and to theProtected Area (PA) of the Park during the summernesting season.

Insufficient patrolling of the marine part of the ZNMP, theconstruction of an illegal parking lot in the core of the PA behind Daphne nesting beach, theconstruction of an illegal underwater stone breakwater in front of Marathonissi islet, anoverall decrease in the number of nests and the highest ever recorded number of dead,stranded turtles comprised some of the major problems in 2011.

Despite the European Commission's intervention (Reasoned Opinion sent to the GreekGovernment regarding violations on EU waste management legislation) on illegal landfills inGreece, the saturated and illegal landfill continues to operate within the ZNMP and has beenfurther expanded by the construction of two illegal additions. Local competent authoritieshave yet to clarify when and where a new landfill will be located, while they claim that theexisting one will continue to operate in the area "legally" until 2015!

Nesting in summer 2011 was significantly reduced (786 nests in total) compared tothe previous two years. The high number of dead turtles (45 in total) in 2011 wasindicative of the numerous violations recorded in Laganas Bay. Twenty-seven dead turtleswere predated by monk seals (Monachus monachus) (based on data collected fromARCHELON). The loss of such a large number of adult turtles may irreversibly affectthe loggerhead population that reproduces in Zakynthos.

MEDASSET continues to monitor and assess conservation measures at the ZNMP for the25th ongoing year and to update on all illegal activities, in order to mobilise all relevantstakeholders for the Park's effective protection.

In September 2011, the illegal underwater stone wavebreaker in the Marathonissi islet wasremoved with the participation of MEDASSET.

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MEDASSET Greece:New Board of Directors

In response to current needs in thefield of environmental conservation,MEDASSET-Greece is expanding itsactivities. With the support of thenew 7-member Board of Directorsand based on the revised prioritiesset out in the amended Constitution,we will continue our mission: thestudy, protection and conservation ofsea turtles and their ecosystems inthe Mediterranean, through thedevelopment of marine ecosystemmonitoring and management, newresearch, educational projects andactivities involving volunteers atnational and international level.

Read about our projectin Albania on SWOT

Latest Publications

"Loggerhead turtles (Carettacaretta) foraging at Drini Bay in

Northern Albania: Geneticcharacterisation revealed two newhaplotypes." Can Yilmaz, OguzTurkozan, Fevzi Bardakci, Michael White,Esmeralda Kararaj. (In press) ActaHerpetologica 7(1): 43-x

"Fethiye: Turkey's Turtles inTrouble!" Lily Venizelos & Liza

Boura. (2011) Marine Turtle Newsletter131:32-34

"Monitoring an Important Sea TurtleForaging Ground in Drini Bay,

Albania". Michael White, Liza Boura &Lily Venizelos. (2011) Marine TurtleNewsletter 131:34-38

July 2011. Fethiye, SPA. Çalış.Excavator digging ditches atthe upper part of the beachduring the nesting and hatchingperiod.

Campaign: Turtles in trouble in Fethiye, Turkey

Unplanned construction and developments toaccommodate tourism have resulted in serious nestingdecline since 1993 in Fethiye, one of the most importantloggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting sites inTurkey.

In response to MEDASSET's campaign against therelocation of the shipyard/drydock currently situatedwithin Fethiye town, to the very middle of Fethiye's Akgölnesting beach, the Co-Chairs of the Marine TurtleSpecialist Group under the International Union forConservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Chair of theStanding Committee of the Bern Convention wrote to theTurkish authorities requesting that the proposed locationof the new shipyard be rejected.

In August 2011, we visited Fethiye for the second time that year to assess the conservationand management measures that the Turkish authorities had committed to implementingduring the nesting season. Beach furniture management, litter, light pollution and thepresence of people and vehicles on the beaches at night still pose a threat, and remainunresolved. Some measures were only partly implemented, while others have damaged orcould potentially damage the natural profile of the beaches and hinder nesting and hatchlingemergence success. However, some valuable steps in the right direction were made in 2011and, if these measures are sustained and improved in the following years, the downwardtrend could be altered. To find out more, read our update report that presents theassessment, the most serious problems recorded and a list of recommendations. The reportwas submitted to the Bern Convention, the Turkish Authorities, the EU, UNEP/MAP, UNDPTurkey, international and Turkish NGOs.

To read more about the campaign, click here.

The "Turtle Odyssey" ConferenceThe 4th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles was organised inNaples, Italy, during 7-10 November 2011 by the Stazione ZoologicaAnton Dohrn, in collaboration with the Regional Activity Centre forSpecially Protected Areas of UNEP's Mediterranean Action Plan. TheConference is supported by the Secretariats of the Barcelona, Bern andBonn Conventions, which are deeply involved in sea turtle conservationin the Mediterranean. The theme of the Conference was the "Turtle

Odyssey" inspired by Ulysses’ long journey across the Mediterranean Sea.

This special event, which occurs every three years, aims to be an occasion for sharingexperiences, outcomes achieved and knowledge acquired among those committed to seaturtle research and conservation in the Mediterranean. Under the expert Presidency of Dr.Flegra Bentivegna (Curator of Naples Aquarium), the Conference was an immense success:over 130 sea turtle researchers, NGO representatives, conservationists, students andnational authority representatives exchanged and discussed scientific findings, threats,current conservation efforts and education projects.

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V stands for Valuable!

Volunteer participation hit an all timehigh in 2011! Perhaps it is only acoincidence that 2011 was also thecelebration of the 10th anniversaryof the International Year ofVolunteers (lYV+10) and theEuropean Year of Volunteering.Twelve Greek, eight Americans,including several self-motivatedpeople from Turkey, the UK, Hungryand Belgium all took action andjoined our project in the Athensoffice!

Thank you to Jessica, Thanos,Valentina, Paris, Robert, Dionysia,Teresa, Effie, Catherine, Lea, Marina,Nina, Gala, Katie, Mehmet, Roula,Anastasia T., Ilia, Fotini, Anthi,Konstantinos, Anatasia M., Baileyand Karissa!

If you would like to volunteer forMEDASSET please get in touch withKonstantina atkonstantinakostoula@medasset.gr orvisit the volunteer section of ourweb site.

Like our Page and keep up todate with our campaigns,

educational programmes, andevents!

Join our YouTube Channel andcheck out our latest videos!

Be in the loop! Join ourLinkedIn Group!

RETURN TO THE HOMELAND: Figure riding a sea turtle,probably depicting an ancient Greek fable similar toUlysses' Return to the Homeland (Nostos) Metope from Heraion at the mouth of the Sele River,560-550 B.C. Paestum: Museo Archeologico Nazionale

As a keynote speaker of theConference, Lily Venizelos, spokeon the subject of: "MEDASSET'sApproach to Sea TurtleConservation: Bridging Gaps in theMediterranean". A pleasant surprisewas in store, when the Conferenceorganisers and supportershonoured Lily, DimitrisMargaritoulis, General Secretary ofARCHELON; and AndreasDemetropoulos, Chairman ofCyprus Wildlife Society, "forpioneering sea turtle conservationin the Mediterranean". MEDASSETgave one oral and six posterpresentations showcasing theresults of our conservation andresearch projects in theMediterranean.

Education"Join in and Clean Up!" campaign

In 2011 MEDASSET launched the "Join In and Clean Up"campaign in partnership with Coca-Cola HBC Greece andCoca-Cola Hellas under their programme "Mission Water".The campaign aims to raise public awareness in the areasof waste reduction, proper disposal, and recycling, and to

encourage community involvement, especially among schools and youth groups. It aims tobring together central government agencies, port authorities, local communities and civilsociety, in order to achieve common goals.

Every year, millions of marine animals and sea birds die worldwide as a result of consumingmarine debris in our seas and oceans. The "Join In and Clean Up" campaign has successfullycompleted 15 beach clean-ups in eight locations all over Greece, mobilising 4,162 volunteerswho helped remove 4,525 kilos of debris from 21.4 km of coastline. Debris collected weremostly cigarette butts and small, degraded pieces of plastic - as well as various largeritems. All the garbage collected was sent either to landfills or recycling units.

The campaign will continue in 2012 with the support of UNEP/MAP.

Environmental education Kit in Arabic, now available online!

"The Mediterranean Sea, a Source of Life" is an original andunique Environmental Education Kit for schools and youthgroups. The original Greek version of the Kit was adapted,translated, reproduced into English and Arabic and hard copieswere distributed to schools and educational institutionsbordering the Mediterranean.

A tool for teachers and educational group leaders, aiming toengage 6-12 year old children from all over the Mediterraneanregion in creative activities, instilling knowledge, environmentalvalues, and a sense of regional identity and responsibility.

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Donate Now!

Become a "Friend" of MEDASSETNOW for a minimum yearlydonation of 15€/£10 and enjoy -10%discount off all items on our giftshop

A big THANKS to all oursponsors and supporters!

Ocean Fund (Royal CaribbeanCruises Ltd)

The Coca-Cola System in Greece MAVA Foundation

Athens International AirportM-PLUS (www.mplus.gr)

MAERSK Greece A.G. Leventis Foundation

Power MusicHewlett Packard

GoogleAthens Hilton

Angellight Web Services deBop.gr

SkipperOnDeck.grPrasinizo.gr

Echomove MagazineMaramenos & Pateras Jewelers

Akis GoumasLily VenizelosFotini Livanos

Nicholas & Matti Egon Eleni Economou Frida Tsakiroglou

Jeannine Mihalaridi Getta Tsitsinaki

Elisabeth KominouKetty FilippidouFali Vogiatzaki

Themis HatzigianniToula Trifylli

and the 15 supporters who offeredfine raffle items

© 2008, G.Issaris

The 50 page Kit includes: maps, fact sheets and activity sheets for 6-9 and 10-12 year oldchildren, an "Educator's Guideline" booklet with evaluation sheet and bibliography.

The Kit was produced in collaboration with the Hellenic Children's Museum and KaleidoscopePublications and financial assistance from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, UNEP/MAP(Greece). RAC/SPA (MAP)(Tunisia). and the Prince of Wales Foundation (UK).

You can download it free of charge here.

To obtain a hard copy of the Kit in English or Greek, visit our online shop.

"Niretta the Caretta" Facts:

Since 2008, our award winning environmental education andawareness raising programme "Niretta the Caretta" has visited21 private and public schools and foundations, 15 youthfestivals and appeared twice on 2 major Greek TV stations.Niretta raised awareness and educated at least 7800 kids, theirparents and educators.

Events"The Mediterranean we Share"

MEDASSET held an online amateur photographycompetition, between November and December 2011. Onehundred and thirty-eight photographers submitted 350photographs, an online public vote narrowed the fielddown to 60 images. A judging committee consisting ofmarine scientist and underwater photographer, YiannisIssaris, artist Achilles Drougas, and Director of Collectionsat the National Gallery of Greece, Dr Olga Mentzafou-Polyzou, made the final selection of photographs that wenton to be exhibited at the Environment-Culture Centre ofAthens International Airport. The Exhibition is open to the

public until April 30, 2012, and is accessible to all passengers and airport visitors, on a 24-hour basis. If you won't be passing through the airport, you can still enjoy looking at thewinning photographs herehere.

This is MEDASSET's second photography exhibition to be held at the Athens InternationalAirport in two years.

New Year's tea party special!

Time again for our New Year annual, ladies only,Fundraiser. The event was held on February 6th 2012 atthe Athens Hilton Hotel in Greece. The late afternoon teaparty included live music, the traditional cutting of the"Pita cake" and a raffle!

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MEDASSETc/o 24 Park Towers

2 Brick Street, LondonW1J 7DD, UK

Tel/Fax: (020) 76290654 medasset@medasset.org

www.medasset.org

MEDASSET GREECE1c Licavitou Street

10672, Athens, GreeceTel: +30 210 3613572

+30 210 3640389Fax: +30 3613572

medasset@medasset.grwww.medasset.gr

Editors: Jenny Ioannou, Liza Boura If you do not wish to receive "TurtleDives", please send an e-mail.

We hope you enjoy our 10th issueand would love to hear yourfeedback: medasset@medasset.org

£4.00"Marine Symphony" keyring

Let these charming trinkets adorn your keys or bag. (Length 8 cm)

£8.00-£13.00MEDASSET t-shirtsAvailable in severalcolours and sizes!

£11.00 Environmental EducationKit: "The MediterraneanSea, A Source of Life"

for children 6-14.Available in

English/Greek/Arabic

NEW£8.00

EXCLUSIVE Keychain, on recycled

aluminum, from originalsculpture by A. Goumas

(Length 5 cm)

Our online shop accepts most major currencies

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