Activity category: Marine protected areas
Year: 2022
Type: Advocacy, Awareness raising, Scientific research
Status: Ongoing
Target areas: Lemnos Island
Target organisms: Sharks, Posidonia
Project website:
Partners
Funders
Activity category: Marine protected areas
Year: 2022
Type: Advocacy, Awareness raising, Scientific research
Status: Ongoing
Target areas: Lemnos Island
Target organisms: Sharks, Posidonia
Project website:
Partners
Funders
Objectives
Actions in northeastern Lemnos aim to highlight the area’s high ecological value and to strengthen scientific knowledge of its marine and coastal ecosystems. A central objective is the protection and sustainable management of the extensive Posidonia seagrass meadows, a priority habitat, and the wildlife species that depend on them, as well as supporting the development of a more comprehensive protection framework, with the prospect of expanding the existing Natura 2000 protected area into a broader Marine Protected Area. At the same time, efforts focus on linking environmental conservation with sustainable development and the well-being of local communities.
Description
Lemnos is an island in the North Aegean with a total area of 476 km² and a coastline of 263 km. Its population exceeds 16,000 permanent residents, with Myrina, located in the western part of the island, being the largest town. In northeastern Lemnos lies the Natura 2000 protected area “Chortarolimni – Alyki Lake and Marine Area,” covering a total area of 183.2 km². This area hosts one of the largest Posidonia seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is designated as a “Priority Habitat” under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.
iSea has been active in the area since 2022, in collaboration with and with the support of the Blue Marine Foundation, implementing a series of actions, including the most detailed mapping of the Posidonia seagrass meadow conducted to date. The meadow extends beyond the boundaries of the Natura 2000 protected area, covering a total of 139.43 km², of which 92.62 km² lie within the protected zone. In addition, the coastal area is characterized by the presence of sand dunes and dune systems, as well as three natural salt lakes, with Alyki Lake being the largest natural salt lake in Greece. These salt lakes, along with the Posidonia seagrass meadows, are also recognized as “Priority Habitats” under Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC.
The area hosts rich biodiversity, with at least 19 recorded species of interest. Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) have been recorded, while the presence of shells from juvenile individuals suggests that the Posidonia seagrass meadow may function as a nursery habitat. At the same time, the area has been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA), hosting significant migratory species, and was recently recognized as an Area of Interest for sharks and rays, including Critically Endangered angel shark species, such as the smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata) and theangelshark (Squatina squatina), according to the IUCN Red List.
The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, livestock farming, and small-scale coastal fisheries, with approximately 220 professional fishing vessels operating on the island. Tourism, although increasing in recent years, remains a secondary activity, particularly in northeastern Lemnos, with key recreational activities including recreational fishing, water sports such as kite surfing, and the exploration of the island’s distinctive natural landscape.