Due to lack of funding and political support on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) has not been able this season to fulfill its obligations. Following some four rather successful years, with groundbreaking accomplishments in the field of managing protected areas in Greece, this summer the NMPZ has no staff to run the Park, has not hired seasonal wardens, has no control over illegalities, and has no information outlets or even signs for the visitors. This has been a major drawback for the future of the National Park on Zakynthos, with possible repercussions on the other newly established protected areas in Greece.

ARCHELON is running its conservation project, as it has been doing for the last 21 years with permission granted by the Ministry of Agriculture and in the past three years under an agreement with the NMPZ. The project through monitoring of the nesting beaches, research and raising public awareness has been a major component and support to the work that has been carried out by the Park. This year it commenced on 3 May and field stations in Kallitero, Marathonissi and Sekania became operational on the 17 May 2004. Over 120 undergraduates and postgraduates from all over Europe are expected to participate voluntarily in the project. Nesting activity began on 6 of June and so far approximately 450 nests have been recorded on the nesting beaches of Gerakas, Sekania, Daphni, Laganas, Kalamaki and Marathonissi.

Briefly, the following have been observed and recorded by ARCHELON staff since the start of the project:

A. Marathonissi islet

• Anchoring is allowed only in maritime Zone C, however anchoring of boats off Marathonissi beach (Zone B) is a regular occurrence. Only organised trips are allowed to the islet, but tens of private and rented boats visit every day.
• Violation of speed limit (6 knots) by hired and private boats has been recorded at least 20 times whilst patrolling by the Port Police has proven insufficient due to lack of personnel.
• Spear fishing (not allowed in the Bay) and fishing with nets have been systematically taking place just off the beach of Marathonissi and no action has been taken by the Port Police
• Some local people have verbally attacked members of ARCHELON as they oppose to the presence of the ARCHELON field station and the control of visitors on the nesting beach.

B. Gerakas

• On 27 June 2004, 111 umbrellas and 233 sunbeds were recorded. Legal quota of umbrellas and sunbeds is 60 and 120 respectively. However, all beach furniture is stacked at night.
• On several occasions people enter the beach at nighttime, usually between 8.00 pm and 11.00 pm. According to existing legislation the nesting beaches are closed to the public between 7pm and 7am. from 1 May to 31 October.
• On several occasions, people have attempted to drive on the beach but left after being informed of protection measures by ARCHELON staff.
• On 15 occasions boats have been recorded entering maritime Zone A (according to existing legislation no boating activity is allowed in this zone), sometimes anchoring or mooring just off Gerakas beach. On every occasion the Port police was notified in time but only 4 times acted immediately.

C. East Laganas and Kalamaki

• Tracks from horses, cars, motorbikes, bicycles and quad bikes (beach bikes) constitute a daily occurrence in Laganas and Kalamaki at the moment. This so far has been the worse situation in the last three years. Cars and motorbikes at nighttime drive on the beach, causing disturbance to nesting turtles.
• The absence of information signs, an info station in Laganas and wardens has resulted in visitors entering the beach, as they are not aware of the protection measures. At night many people enter the beach aiming to see turtles nesting, encouraged in some cases by local people.
• On 27 June 2004, 316 umbrellas and 716 sunbeds were recorded in East Laganas and 83 umbrellas and 126 sunbeds in Kalamaki. Legal quota for umbrellas and sunbeds on E.Laganas and Kalamaki together is 150 and 300 respectively. Umbrellas and sunbeds are being stacked over night only on Kalamaki.
• Few garbage bins have been placed along the length of Laganas and Kalamaki but they are not enough to keep the beaches clean. Sand dunes at the back of the beach were used at the beginning of the season for dumping litter.
• Violation of speed limit in maritime Zone B by hired and private boats is a frequent occurrence. Lately private boats have been observed in Zone B at night using lights. On every occasion the port police were notified but no immediate action was taken.
• Sunbed and taverna owner in the area of Kalamaki physically abused two ARCHELON members on 24 June 2004. The Police, local authorities and media were informed.

D. Sekania and Daphni

• To date Daphni beach has not been cleaned up for the nesting season.
• The 13 illegal buildings are being used as tavernas bars and private summer homes. It has been observed that the parking lot at the back of the west sector of Daphni has been improved along with a bar in the middle of the beach.
• During morning surveys by members of ARCHELON, tracks from dogs, bicycles and vehicles have been recorded.
• The absence of wardening on Sekania along with the lack of information signs has resulted in visitors entering the nesting beaches not being aware of the current strict protection status (no visitation is allowed day and night) of the beach. To date, 9 people have visited Sekania.
• On several occasions fishing boats have entered maritime Zone A at night using lights while other private boats have been seen immobile near the islet of Pelouzo. On every occasion the Port Police was informed, but no immediate action was taken.

E. Turtle Spotting Boats

• In general, Turtle Spotting Boats that have been endorsed by the NMPZ seem to comply with the current guidelines for the observation of the sea turtles within the Bay. Most of the drivers are really co-operative and well informed of the protection measures.
• Few incidents have been recorded, where boats have approached a turtle closer than 5m, but on the whole there has been a systematic effort by the drivers to minimise disturbance while turtles are basking.
• An ARCHELON member is always present on these trips providing information to people on board while taking notes on the delivery of each trip.
• At this present time, a problematic situation seems to derive mainly from private, hired or turtle spotting boats that have not been endorsed by the NMPZ. As a consequence, on several occasions 3 to 5 boats have surrounded turtles while it has been recorded that these boats frequently violate the speed limit and approach basking turtles from a distance less than 5m.

F. Immediate recommendations

• The Ministry of Environment should proceed with the announcement of the new members of the Board of the Management Agency and ensure that all members and in particular the Chairperson, adhere to the objectives of the NMPZ and have experience in the management of protected areas
• The Ministry of Environment should cover immediately all costs that have accrued over the last period by the Park and provide regular funding to cover necessary running costs
• The Ministry of Environment should provide all political support to the NMPZ Management Agency and ensure that local politicians become partners to this effort
• The Management Agency of the NMPZ, should acquire the necessary permanent and seasonal staff and proceed with the drafting of a management plan in order to achieve its objectives.