The first episode of the ARTEMIS documentary series highlights pioneering restoration efforts in the Posidonia meadows at Atzikiari Bay, Crete, featuring the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), The Green Tank, and the project’s other partners.
At Atzikiari Bay inSitia, Crete, a valuable Posidonia ecosystem—essential for biodiversity, climate regulation, and coastal protection—has suffered severe degradation. According to research by the Seagrass Ecology Laboratory of HCMR’s Institute of Oceanography, 66% of the Posidonia meadow has been lost, primarily due to the past operation of a fish farm in the area, which ran for over 20 years.
The HCMR scientific team, observing the first signs of recovery, is implementing pioneering restoration actions: mapping and cleaning the seabed, and transplanting Posidonia shoots, all aimed at accelerating the meadow’s natural regeneration.
The Role of The Green Tank
The Green Tank plays an active role in the project, focusing on policy and advocacy. Building on insights from a stakeholder workshop held in Heraklion in March 2025, as well as interviews with local actors, it works alongside the HCMR team to develop a specialized regulatory framework for Greece, facilitating the transition from research to practical application.
In collaboration with the project partners, The Green Tank also prepares policy proposals at the Euro-Mediterranean level and explores alternative financing opportunities for restoration activities. This includes mobilizing private resources through innovative mechanisms, such as nature credits.
Pilot Area and Documentary
Atzikiari Bay, located within the Natura 2000 network, is one of the pilot areas of the Interreg Euro-MED ARTEMIS project, with the Region of Crete and the Natural Environment and Climate Change Energy (NEECA) as participating partners.
Coordinated by Plan Bleu and eight other partners, the project applies similar restoration actions in four pilot areas overall: Crete, Sardinia, Menorca, and draws valuable experience from Monfalcone in Italy.
The first episode of the documentary series showcases the actions at Atzikiari Bay, demonstrating that nature restoration is possible when supported by science, collaboration, and long-term protection.
Watch the documentary on Crete here.
