Often when non-Greeks think of Greece, they think of sun-drenched beaches and white-washed villages overlooking seaside cliffs. Of islands and pristine blue waters. However, a joint report released by nine different Greek environmental organizations alleges that the Greek government is not protecting its marine areas adequately. Specifically, the report found that only 12 out of 174 marine Natura 2000 sites, which are recognized as protected areas in Greece, have legislation that enforces and specifies their protection.  The 162 remaining sites are only protected on paper-- meaning they are "paper parks". 

We spoke to Demetres Karavellas, CEO at WWF Greece about Greece's Marine Protected Areas, about the vast biodiversity of the country's surrounding seas, the protections they need, and why these protections aren't being put in place. 

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