Focus Sectors
The Mediterranean Sea is well-known for the wide range of rare species of fauna and flora that it hosts. Due to its significant natural value, the expansion of marine protected areas is imperative. Rare marine mammals from monk seals, to sperm whales and common dolphins, are about to become extinct unless we adopt more sustainable ways of development and we stop overexploiting marine ecosystems.
Action for their protection and preservation has to be undertaken immediately so that their future survival is guaranteed. In order to enhance marine life conservation, we initiate based on some fundamental pillars. These are restoration and preservation, sustainability, education and environmental awareness. Furthermore, we encourage research and work closely with the scientific society on numerous environmental issues.
Enviromental Education
One of the basic principles of the Foundation is that the education and awareness of children is an indispensable prerequisite for any prospect of sustainability and environmental recovery. Therefore, environmental education constitutes a timeless and extremely significant pilar of its strategy and initiatives, implemented through school visits, educational street events, training, outdoor activities etc.
Marine Research
The contribution of science is priceless in understanding many environmental challenges and the causal relationship between them and human activity. Based on the above, Thalassa Foundation has developed a steady and continuous cooperation with the scientific community, through the support of research, projects, studies etc that identify the environmental problem, evaluate the impact of several factors and propose mitigation measures.
Enviromental Policy
Ambitious and coherent policy is a key factor for the protection of the environment. Thalassa Foundation works closely with the relevant stakeholders to raise awareness and mobilize, aiming at effect policy change to reflect the need for better protection of marine ecosystems and promote sustainability.
Alonissos case study
Biodiversity Conservation
The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is threatened by various factors which means that action for the protection and safeguarding of marine natural resources is of great importance. Habitat destruction, marine litter, oil pollution, overfishing, deliberate killing of endangered marine mammals, and the use of inappropriate fishing equipment, pose major threats to our marine ecosystems. In this setting, Thalassa Foundation, from the early stages of its activities, put particular emphasis on the conservation of marine resources and supported projects against habitat destruction, overfishing and other illegal human activities, as well as research activities aiming for a better understanding of the biology, ecology and behaviour of rare marine species and the threats they face.
Capacity Building
Awareness Raising
Thalassa Foundation enhances awareness, especially in communities that are in greatest need of environmental protection, so that they adopt a more responsible attitude towards nature. Through a bottom-up approach, it organises and launches informative campaigns and events, also making use of participatory methodologies, with the aim of achieving empowerment and engagement of the local population in a wide spectrum of environmental issues. Local communities are thus encouraged to act for the long-term maintenance of their natural heritage.
