Alonissos Case Study

Thalassa Foundation chose to highlight a specific pilot case as an example of sustainable management, with the support and commitment of the local community to preserve the outcomes and the continuity of environmental protection initiatives. That pilot case has been Alonissos. Since 2013, Thalassa Foundation is implementing a series of actions on this beautiful island of Northern Sporades, which stands out for its mild tourist development and ecological importance. It is widely known that Alonissos is located at the largest marine protected area of Greece, The National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades, one of the largest in Europe, and hosts many rare species, such the monk seal, various species of dolphins and birds, all of which deserve urgent protection. Starting with its initial visit to the island more than a decade ago, the foundation counts numerous activities in different fields.  First off, it has been continuously and consistently supporting the Coast Guard of Alonissos and the Management Unit of NECCA (formerly Management Body) in guarding the park against illegal activities. In parallel, it has endeavoured and funded numerous actions and projects for conservation, research, environmental education, awareness raising, advocacy, capacity building, etc., which are focused on, but not limited to, Alonissos.