| The National
Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades (NMPANS), is the first Marine Park
established in Greece and is located in the North East Aegean Sea in the area of the
N. Sporades islands (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos and Skiros). The establishment of the NMPANS aims to ensure not only the conservation of one of the most important remaining habitats of the monk seal (Monachus monachus) in the Mediterranean but also the protection of other rare animal and plant species which exist in the area. Finally aims at the sustainable development of the area, through proper management of its natural resources. The total area of the Park is approximately 2200 Km which includes 7 islands and 22 rocky islets and reefs. The main morphology of the islands are the rocky and precipitous coasts with few sandy beaches. The area is relatively isolated with not much anthropogenic pressure. As a result the Park is a natural shelter for many rare and endangered species such as the monk seal -Monachus monachus, the red coral -Corralium rubrum, the falcon-Falco eleonorae, the sea gull-Larus aouduiini, the shag- Phalacrocorax aristotelis etc. It is also an excellent habitat for many animals such as 350 species of fish, many species of birds, whales and dolphins ( mainly the common dolphin -Delphinus delphis, the striped dolphin- Stenela coerueloalba and the bottlenose dolphin- Globicephala melena). The flora of the area is also rich. The islands are covered by Mediterranean coniferus forests and maqui vegetation. There are a lot of endemic species among the mosses and wild flowers. The NMPANS was officially declared as a National Marine Park by Presidential Decree in May 1992. It is divided into two zones of protection (A and B). The A zone consists of five uninhabited islands and a few rocky islets and reefs while on the other hand the B zone includes the only inhabited area of the Park the island of Alonnisos. In the A zone, which is the priority protection area of the Park, special fishing regulations are applied. On the islands where visitors are permitted, swimming, snorkelling, photography and filming are the only activities allowed. There are hardly any restrictions for those visiting the B zone of the Park. Although the NMPANS has been legally established since 1992 it is not yet fully functional. To achieve this it is important to institute an appropriate management body, to set up the basic principles for its management, and to employ permanent staff to deal with issues arising on a daily basis. |