00:00In Porto Rafti, one of the most popular boating destinations near Athens,
00:06an initiative is underway to protect one of the Mediterranean's most valuable natural treasures,
00:12Posidonia Sea Grass Meadows.
00:14They are under water plants that produce oxygen, store carbon dioxide
00:19and provide shelter for dozens of marine species.
00:23But for decades they have suffered serious damage for a very common activity, boat anchoring.
00:30Local residents say that, especially during the summer months,
00:34the growing number of vessels puts heavy pressure on the marine environment.
00:39To limit the damage, divers and specialists are installing eco-friendly moorings on the seabed.
00:56Commercial diver, Maki Sotyropoulos, explains how the system works.
01:12The anchor is fixed deep into the seabed. It is connected to a chain that does not touch the sea
01:17floor.
01:18This prevents damage to the Posidonia plants while allowing boats to moor safely at the surface.
01:25Divers, though, say they have seen the scale of destruction caused by traditional anchors.
01:30As a leader, I have observed many times, on the island of Posidonia,
01:38that there will be ants, that there will be ants, that there will be ants, that there will be ants.
01:45The Posidonia Sea Grass is classified by the European Union as a priority habitat for marine life.
01:52It is also considered an important ally in the fight against climate change.
01:57In this case, Greece's Ministry of Shipping is now planning a nationwide network of eco-moorings.
02:18So far, around 40 eco-moorings have been installed in different parts of Greece.
02:24Experts say the number remains small compared with the thousands of boats that arrive every summer.
02:30The initiative is already attracting interest from other municipalities and islands across the country.
02:36In a country with more than 13.000 km of coastline, protecting Posidonia Meadows is closely linked to the future
02:58of Greece's seas,
02:59and to the balance between tourism and the protection of the marine environment.
03:04Thank you very much.
03:05Thank you very much.
