The Scientific Director of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, Anastasia Miliou met with the French Ambassador for Polar and Maritime Issues, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor and Katerina Spyropoulou, Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation of the French Embassy in Greece.

Sharing a common concern for the state of the Mediterranean marine ecosystems, fish stocks and protected species, they discussed the collaborations that must urgently be formed among Mediterranean states regarding the adoption and implementation of substantive protection measures.

Emphasis was placed on the implementation of the French government’s decision for the gradually closing of dolphinaria, on the ways to address the issue of captured cetaceans as well as the progress made regarding the opening of the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, which is the first solution in Europe, for providing dolphins long term hospitality in a natural habitats.

The participants expressed their intention to expand the existing collaboration and to maintain broad channels of communication and exchange of information between French Universities and Archipelagos International School of the Sea with the aim to actively contribute to the protection of the Mediterranean Sea.