“I implement my promise,” the prime minister says Kyriakos Mitsotakis In his message to create two young people National marine parks In Ionian and South Aegean

Their total extent extends to 27,500 square kilometers And they will prohibit fishing with motorcycles.

In particular, as the Prime Minister says in a video message:

“These parks will be one of the largest marine protected areas throughout the Mediterranean. They will allow us to achieve the goal of protecting 30% of our territorial waters by 2030, much earlier than the foreseen. They will be immense life shelters under the waves. They will also help maintain ecosystems, restore balance and establish a bold new model for maritime protection. And perhaps most importantly, within these maritime zones will be banned the extremely devastating practice of the trawler.

In detail the Prime Minister’s message:

The sea has always been the silent power of Greece. It is part of who we are – shaped our culture and history, nourishes our people and cultivates our spirit.

Last month, at the UN Conference on the Oceans on the Mediterranean coast of France, I made a promise – to honor this unique maritime heritage and to protect it for future generations.

Today, I fulfill this promise by creating two new national marine parks – one in the Ionian Sea and one in the Southern Cyclades, in the only Aegean.

These parks will be one of the largest marine protected areas throughout the Mediterranean.

They will allow us to achieve the goal of protecting 30% of our territorial waters by 2030, much earlier than the foreseen.

They will be immense life shelters under the waves.

They will also help maintain ecosystems, restore balance and establish a bold new model for maritime protection.

And perhaps most importantly, within these maritime zones will be banned the extremely devastating practice of the trawler.

If you have seen Sir David Attenborough’s excellent new documentary, “Ocean”, then you know why the creation of these maritime parks is so important.

“Ocean” is a deeply moving movie, but also a film that informs and inspires. He reminded me, as I hope to remind all of us, that the sea is not just a beautiful landscape. It’s life itself. Sensitive. Strong. And under threat.

Sir David’s film reinforced my commitment to do something more in sea management – to redefine our relationship with her. Not as owners. But as guardians.

We will protect, yes. But we will also train, work together and lead.

In collaboration with local communities, local fishermen, scientists, but also with international partners, we will make these parks examples of what is possible. By doing so, Greece can become a voice of the sea – in Europe, but also beyond it.

Because when we protect our ocean, we protect our own future.