An article, published as part of the Seagrass Chronicle series on the Interreg Euro-MED – ARTEMIS project website, includes interviews with the Greek partners—the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and The Green Tank—who explain their actions related to the restoration of Posidonia meadows in Atzikiari Bay in Sitia, Crete, which is a pilot site for the project.
The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) has been studying Atzikiari Bay in Crete since 2019, following the cessation of operations of a fish farming unit. The field research being conducted records the environmental conditions and biodiversity elements present in Atzikiari Bay, confirming severe pollution from the past as well as from currents carrying plastics. Furthermore, although the ecosystem shows signs of recovery, the natural restoration of Posidonia meadows has not progressed significantly, indicating that additional interventions may be necessary.
The final results of the biodiversity assessment are expected in early 2025 and will guide the next steps of the ARTEMIS project, including an underwater cleanup of the bay and Posidonia transplantation efforts scheduled for spring 2025.
At the same time, The Green Tank has begun conducting interviews with local stakeholders, residents, and professionals to identify institutional gaps and develop applicable policy proposals for the restoration of Posidonia. In parallel, innovative financing solutions are being explored, such as the creation of a Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme.
Dimitra Syrou, Nature Policy Associate at The Green Tank, stated:
“We are working on multiple levels, conducting interviews with experts and local stakeholders on the legal and institutional framework within which the future Posidonia restoration plan will be integrated. If we identify any gaps or opportunities in the existing framework, we can then formulate specific policy proposals. Our goal is to use this initiative in Atzikiari to create a governance framework that can be applied nationally. To achieve this, we must listen to all voices and understand all perspectives.”
In March 2025, a working meeting with local stakeholders was held in Heraklion, Crete, and an open event is scheduled in Sitia, near Atzikiari Bay, for April. These meetings both inform the local community about the value of Posidonia and the importance of its restoration, and collect data and opinions to enhance the project’s outcomes.
Subsequently, the ARTEMIS partners will design a comprehensive and scientifically informed restoration plan, tailored to fit the Greek political, economic, and social context.
The article was published on April 1, 2025, on the Interreg Euro-MED – ARTEMIS project website and can be read in full in English here.
The Interreg Euro-MED ARTEMIS project (Accelerating the Restoration of Seagrass Meadows in the Mediterranean Area through Innovative Ecosystem-Service Based Solutions) aims to improve the restoration techniques of Posidonia oceanica meadows, assess the ecosystem services they provide, and create innovative techniques for integrating them into both policy-making and investment decisions. The project is implemented by ten partners, with Plan Bleu as the project coordinator. Partners from Greece include the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and the environmental think tank, The Green Tank. Associated partners include the Region of Crete and the Organization for the Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECCA).