March 19th 2025
Questions to the Former Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis
Members of Parliament from the Socialist Party PASOK — Manolis Christodoulakis, Manolis Hnarís, and Giorgos Nikitiadis — submitted a formal question in Parliament to former Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, regarding the “unjustified” delay in licensing the Lipsi Marine Sanctuary.
They raised the following key questions:
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Why has the licensing of the Marine Life Rehabilitation and Sanctuary Centre on the island of Lipsi been delayed for six and a half years, despite all required procedures having been completed and the project enjoying strong international scientific support?
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Why did the same licensing committee appointed by the Ministry fast-track the approval for the Mediterranean Monk Seal Rehabilitation Centre within the Attica Zoological Park, yet fail to approve the sanctuary in Lipsi?
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What measures does the Ministry intend to take to accelerate the licensing process for the Lipsi Centre, so it can host the dolphins and prevent their transfer to the United States?
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Given that Greece has banned the use of animals in shows and public performances, how is it possible that the transfer of five dolphins to a U.S. dolphinarium is being permitted, especially when it is widely known that marine mammals are commercially exploited there?
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Will the Ministry consider establishing a clear legal framework to protect captive dolphins and other marine mammals, ensuring they are relocated to sanctuaries rather than dolphinariums?
You can read the full text of the MPs’ question here:
