August 28th 2024

Uncontrolled and intensive anchoring:

– destroys the Posidonia seagrass meadows.

– destroys the natural carbon stores that have accumulated over decades or centuries within the Posidonia rhizomes.

In other words, we are tolerating the destruction of our most important natural ally, which we need to combat the effects of climate change, as seagrasses can absorb up to 35 times more carbon than rainforests and release valuable oxygen.

The systematic destruction and deforestation of seagrass meadows in the Greek seas occurs intensively during the summer months, mainly due to the uncontrolled anchoring by over 35,000 small and large recreational vessels. A self-destructive practice that has been repeated for decades at every part of the Greek coastline, in violation of Greek and European legislation which stipulates that anchoring is prohibited over seagrass meadows. 

For each anchor that destroys part of the seagrass meadow:

–  many decades or even centuries pass for this to form again, if that is ultimately possible given the degradation caused by human activity and climate change.

– this invaluable natural carbon sequestration mechanism is being destroyed.

– the large quantities of carbon that have been stored over decades or even centuries within the mattes that form near and within the seagrass rhizomes, are being released to eventually return to the atmosphere.

This destruction is defying all logic as:

– the most vital and productive ecosystems of our seas are being systematically destroyed.

– Continuous coastal erosion also leads to the disappearance of beaches.

– Waters loose the clarity, provided by the seagrass meadows.

– The most important habitat for juvenile fish, which also ensures the productivity of fisheries, is being destroyed.