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GreeceDespite EU condemnation, tourist "free for all" destroys unique turtle habitat on Greek island Gland, Switzerland –

Thousands of summer tourists, illegal sunbeds, umbrellas, bars and boats have once again invaded and irreparably damaged Greece’s National Marine Park of Zakynthos, pushing the Mediterranean’s largest nesting population of loggerhead turtles towards extinction, WWF said today.

In 2002, The European Court of Justice declared that Greece was in violation of European Union law because it had failed to protect the loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos, a legally protected marine park. The European Commission is soon expected to announce that it will refer the case to the Court for a second time.

According to WWF, Greek authorities have done little to halt the flagrant abuse within the park in 2005. Reports show that local businessmen installed hundreds of umbrellas and sunbeds above the authorised limit on the beaches. Illegal bars, taverns and parking areas were still in operation, while boats regularly crossed or anchored in prohibited zones. Cars, motorcycles and horses routinely rolled across the sand dunes. The lack of proper controls, financial support and law enforcement also allowed tourists to tamper with nesting sea turtles at night.

"The situation in Zakynthos is totally unacceptable, violations within the protected area happen every day," said Demetres Karavellas, WWF-Greece's Chief Executive Officer. "The Environment Ministry has not effectively responded to repeated calls for urgent action to halt the destruction of one of the most important sea turtle nesting habitats in the Mediterranean."

WWF urges the Greek government to demolish illegal buildings, restore the coastal area, and provide the National Marine Park of Zakynthos with the financial support needed to operate efficiently. The global conservation organization also calls on the EU Commission to define specific requirements and clear standards, which the Greek authorities will have to meet in order to avoid a second conviction at the European Court of Justice and a financial penalty.

WWF wants the EU to urgently enforce European laws protecting endangered species such a loggerhead turtles, and today, in Vienna, presented European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas with a report on this year's degradations in Zakynthos. "The EU Habitats Directive is being clearly undermined through cases such as Zakynthos," added Demetres Karavellas. "The role of the European Commission is critical in bringing about change and saving these unique nesting beaches. We hope they won’t let us down."

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos normally hosts between 800 and 1,100 nests from the end of May to the end of July. The peak of the tourist season coincides with the start of the hatching of the turtle eggs in August. Marine turtles are very sensitive to human disturbances. For example, lights distract the nesting females and disorientate the hatchlings as they make their way to the sea. Trampling of nests by tourists is also frequent. These impacts exacerbate the natural risks to hatchlings, and it is estimated that out of about 1,000 turtles that hatch, only one will reach adulthood.

NOTES: 1. The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is one of the two marine turtle species that reproduce in the Mediterranean. The other species is the green turtle, which nests in Turkey and Cyprus. 2. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) was established in 1999 for the conservation of marine turtles and the sustainable development of the island. WWF-Greece and the NGO Archelon are represented on the management body of the NMPZ. 3. Zakynthos is a popular tourist destination for UK and German tourists in particular. For further information: Theodora Nantsou, Conservation ManagerWWF-Greece, Tel: +30 697 707 53 45 Marita Panteri, Communications OfficerWWF-Greece Tel: +30 210 331 48 93