Roadmap to management: N. Amvrakikos Gulf lagoon complex, Greece

HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH, 46.7 km Athens-Sounion, Anavyssos 19013, Greece

Amvrakikos Gulf is the largest gulf in Western Greece covering an area of approximately 405 km2 and one of the largest enclosed gulfs of Greece (fjord–type gulf; about 40 km long and 15 km wide). The gulf got its name from the ancient Ambracia, a city built on the river Arachthos in the place of the current city of Arta. Amvrakikos gulf, also known as the Gulf of Arta or the Gulf of Actium (Greek: Αμβρακικός κόλπος).Along the north shoreline, there is a major lagoon complex composed of Logarou lagoon (26 km²), Tsoukalio lagoon (16 km² with Avleri lagoon) and Rodia lagoon (13 km²). The gulf is geographically located between the coordinates: North: 30° 50' - 39° 10' and East: 20° 40' - 21° 101'. The entrance to the gulf is the narrow passage between the peninsula of Aktio and the city of Preveza, 600 m wide and with a depth range between 5 and 15 m. This is a closed inland sea with an average depth of 26 m and maximum depth of 65 m. The northern part of the Gulf is shaped by three rivers and their catchment areas and consequently a complex of associated river plains, estuaries/deltas, fresh and salt water marshes and lagoons has been formed. The gulf is considered to be one of the most important areas of Greece (according to CMD 16.611/93) and has been placed under protection by the RAMSAR International Convention on the protection and conservation of waterfowl and waders since 1975. The area has recently been included in the NATURA 2000 Network (code number GR2110001; Title: AMVRAKIKOS KOLPOS, DELTA LOUROU KAI ARACHTHOU (PETRA, MYTIKAS, EVRYTERI PERIOCHI) and is considered to be a very important biotope for flora and fauna and especially for birds (including migratory species and red list species) that are nesting and breeding in such type of habitats. The total area of the NATURA park is 28787.56 ha with 12468.95 ha on land and the rest water areas. The gulf has been proposed as a Site of Community Importance and is a designated Wetland of International Importance.

The ARCH team of Hellenic Centre for Marine Research selected from the start to involve and include in the activities all potential stakeholders of N. Amvrakikos gulf wetlands. These stakeholders include:

A. Management administration One (1) Management Agency established by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change B. Political administration The region of Epirus, 2 Regional Units and 4 Municipalities share the wetlands; two (2) Fisheries Administrations of the Regions B. Exploitation Local citizens for hunting; fishermen cooperatives who rent the lagoons for fisheries exploitation in the form of natural and artificial restocking of the waters with fish originating from the gulf and local hatcheries (gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata) respectively C. Protection Several citizen groups acting as environmental NGOs

In addition to the above and since it is the decision of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change to merge all 3 local Management Agencies (N. Amvrakikos Wetlands, Kalamas-Acheron rivers and their deltas and Messolonghi-Etolikon lagoon and adjacent areas), it was decided to involve also representatives of these additional Management Agencies. This increased the number stakeholders to:

Regions - 2; Epirus and Western Greece Regional Units - 4; Arta, Preveza, Thesportia, Messolonghi Municipalities - 9; Arta, Georgios Karaiskakis, Nikolaos Skoufas, Preveza, Parga, Igoumenitsa, Filiata, Messolonghi, Nafpaktia Fishermen cooperatives - 5

The second workshop which was organised within ARCH project, resulted to a mutually agreed list of 27 management issues most of which are unsolvable due to mainly political, legislative and budgetary reasons. In summary, the following groups of issues were identified:

• Lack of a management plan • Climate change effects on the coastline • River water mismanagement • Primary production activities (fisheries, agriculture, livestock) and byproduct mismanagement; poaching; lack of marketing • Industrial development and mismanagement of wastes • Tourism • Fishermen cooperatives • Legal framework • Lack of infrastructure

GOALS TO BE ACHIEVED • Political intervention 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 NEAR FUTURE MID-FUTURE FAR-FUTURE APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ELABORATION OF THE STUDY FOR THE PROJECT "ANASA" ASSESSMENT OF AMVRAKIKOS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CENTRALISED CONSTRUCTION OF A MINISTRY OF ECONOMY, GULF (Ministry of Environment, "ANASA" FOR THE AREA DEVELOPMENT MONITORING SYSTEM PLAN COMPETITIVINESS AND Energy and Climate Change) BY ETANAM SA STUDIES MARITIME FOR THE

N AMVRAKIKOS GULF AND SURROUNDING AREA VISION AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN (Ministry AMVRAKIKOS AREA Y

S of Environment, Energy and Climate Change) DEVELOPMENT O • Science and RTD R Z A

I AMVRAKIKOS E PTOTECTED NATIONAL R

V PARK ESTABLISHED D I

O (Decision 11989/2008)

R LAWS & POLICIES H

BOARD OF O D ESTABLISHED DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

T Marine Strategy

FRAMEWORK FOR Water Framework Directive ESTABLISHED OPERATIONAL T • Administrative incoordination

D Framework Directive

N MANAGEMENT AGENCIES adoption (Decision FRAMEWORK (Decision adoption

N (Law 2742/99) 127381/ 27044/2005) E 3793/2003) A V ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY OF AMVRAKIKOS GULD ANDF POPULATION DYNAMICS AND FISHERY STUDY OF THE RESEARCH AMVRAKIKOS GULF OCEANOGRAPHIC STUDY (H.C.M.R.) ARCH PROJECT LOCAL SHRIMP (CFP 98/0037) E DATA COLLECTION ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION FROM LOCAL AGENCIES FISHERIES DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM PROCESS WATER FRAMEWORK DATA COLLECTION

D ESTABLISH THE INITIATENEGOTIATIONS AND IMMEDIATELY ESTABLISH FROM N N APPLY PARTICIPATION

A SCRATCH,

, MANAGEMENT AGENCY O FAILURE TO APPROACH COMMUNICATION I

E SETTHE GOALS OF MANAGEMENT AND THE VISION FOR THE AREA; N METHODS TO ESTABLISH LINKS A LOCAL ALLIANCE T AND THE STAKEHOLDER-SS EVERE IMMEDIATELY ESTABLISH C FAILURE EVIDENT WITH O A I WITH STAKEHOLDERS; INITIATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND N IDENTIFY STAKEHOLDERS; PROVIDE CONFLICT RESOLUTION STAKEHOLDERS THAT CONTACT WITHWFD

P CONFLICTS WITHIN THE THE AUTHORITIES WHICH T I A COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL IMPROVE THEIR TRUST I A WILL PARTICIPATE OPERATORS TO RECEIVE C AGENCY CONDUCT WFD I L MECHANISMS AND GUIDELINES

R POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION

T IMPORTANT DATA FOR L

E SAMPLING; NO DATA ARE R A P COMMUNICATED MANAGEMENT A O P The most important issues recognised are: O C

INVENTORY OF EXISTING FURTHERASSESSMENT OF INCLUDE THE TELEMETRY MANAGEMENT AGENCY INFRASTRUCTURAEND THE INFRASTRUCTURE ESTABLISHMENOT F A DESIGN AND FURTHERASSESSMENT OF THE INCLUDE CONSIDERATIONS SYSTEM IN "POSEIDON" AND LOCAL ACTORS HAVE START MONITORING QUALITY AND NEEDS FOR NETWORK OF TELEMETRY CONSTRUCTION OF THE OF CLIMATE CHANGE WHICH WILL ENABLE ITS PROPOSAL FOR ALL THE NO CAPACITY TO INFRASTRUCTURE QUALTY AND IMMEDIATELY FUTURE NEEDED THE AREA (RTD PROJECT) STATIONS FOR MONITORING FISHING REFUGE OF NEEDS FOR THE AREA (RTD EFFECTS ON THE AREA IN MAINTENANCE AND

& OPERATE MONITORING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE KORONISIA PROJECT) ALL FUTURE ACTIONS BETTER EXPLOITATION OF SYSTEMS AND MODERN E DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA TOWN DATA R

G INFRASTRUCTURE U N I

T TELEMETRY STATION SYSTEM R

C INOPERABLE O U DUE TO ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS T PLANTHE INFRASTRUCTURES PROPOSED BY T1980HE -1990 DEVELOPMENT PLAN SINCE THEY R I UNAVAILABLE TO ENABLE THE FUNDING T N BUDGET FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE OPERATIOONF THE ARE SIMILAR TO THE PROPOSALS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE SET 2008AFTER S THE EXISTING TRAINING O TELEMETRY A CENTERS OF SALAORA M SYSTEM REOPEN AND OPERATE R AND KOPRENA STOPPED INITIATE TALKS WITH HCMR F "ANASA" PROJECT HAS NOT TO INCORPORATE THE PUBLIC TRAINING CENTERS 1. Legal framework (distribution of jurisdiction; lack of administration coordination) OPERATIONS DUE TO N YET STARTED- VERY SLOW LOCAL TELEMETRY SYSTEMA NDEXPLOIT THE EXISTING I BUDGET LIMITATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OWNERSHIP PROCESS TO APPROVE TO THE NATIONAL SYSTEM ACTIONS THAT WILL BE "POSEIDON" DISPUTES FUNDED THROUGH "ANASA"

IDENTIFIED FAILURE TO N COOPERATE WITH LOCAL IMMEDIATE CODIFICATION OF O IDENTIFIED LACK OF MANAGEMENTAGENCY I STATE ADMINISTRATION; 2. Illegal activities within the primary production sector T LEGSILATION AND FRAMEWORK WITHOUT LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO

A LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS DO JURISDICTION CONFLICTS JURISDICTIONS HINDERS COORDINATE L NOT RECOGNISE THE ADMINISTRATION S EFFECTIVENESS I MANAGEMENT AGENCY AS JURISDICTION OVER THE AREA G HAVING JURISDICTION IN THE E L AREA 3. Climate change: unknown effects; no consideration especially for the public works

S FIRST DRAFT OF STA-TE MANGEMENT MANGEMENT E S OF-WATERS FOR MSFD I GREEK STATE FAILED TO AGENCIES DONOT AUTHORITIIEHSAVE IMMEDIATE ELABORATION C INCORPOARET WFD IN SUBMITTED IN2012 ;

I HAVE OPERATIONAL NOT CONSIDERED EU AND/OR REVISION OF L LOCAL LEGISLATION AND LATE ACTIONS OF GREEK E MANAGEMENT PLANS POLICIES IN THEIR MANAGEMENTPLANS IS O INITIATE RELATED ACTIONS STATE IN RELATION TO MANAGEMENT PLANS (EITHER IN THE

P REQUIRED FOR MANY YEARS (TO PROCESS TO DRAFT OR MSFD .

U 2011)

U NON-EXISTENT) . E S S I

S FAILURE TO DEVELOP

S NEEDTO DEVELOP LOCAL POLITICAL AWARENESSPLANS (I)

E AWARENESS IDENTIFIED ADMINISTRATORS DUE TO LACK OF ELIMIATE ILLEGAL N IN THE DEVELOPMENT EITHER MEMBERS OF K12 AWARENESS RAISING CREATE STAKEHOLDER

E BUDGET AND (B) DUE ACTIVITIES PLANS THE BOARD OR NOT, AWARENESS

R TO LACK OF TRUST HAVE OWN AGENDAS ACTIVITIES A FROM LOCAL AND VOT-EFISHING

W STAKLEHOLDERS HABITS A

D MANAGEMENPTLANS N Y

G OF THE AGENCIES DO

A OUTCOME

T PUT THE FOUNDATIONS OF I N FIRST EVER ASSESSMENOTF PLAN2 WORKSHOPS FOR

I NOT INCLUDE SE-LF CAPACITY FOR G C THE CAPACITY OF THE CAPACITY BUILDING IN D EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT N A I L MANAGEMENT AGENCYT TO ENVIRONMENTAL I

P CAPACITY BUILDING

N MANAGE WITHIN ARCH MANAGEMENT IN THE I U A REQUIREMENTS PROJECT A B AREA WITHIN ARCH PROJECT C R T

MANAGEMENPTLANS FIRST INTERNATIONAL NOPUBLIC WORKS E E JOINT STATEMENT THAT OF THE AGENCIES DO IMMEDIATE REVISION OF INCLUDE CONSIDERATIOONSF T HAVE CONSIDERATION G NOT CONSIDER CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS ON

A THE GLOBAL MANAGEMENTPLANS IS

N FOR SEA LEVEL RISE CLIMATE CHANGES THE AREA IN ALL FUTURE

M ENVIRONMENT IS REQUIRED A I ACTIONS

H CHANGING MAINLY DUE L C

C TO HUMAN ACTIONS N O I Three (3) different types of roadmap were designed. One hirearchical, one time-dpendent FISHERIESDEVELOPMENT AND WETLAND PROTECTION (ALL AREA) PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF ENVIRONMENT; SUPPORT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS; OSUCIPOPEOCROTN OOFMIC COEHERENCE (ALL AREA) ENVIRONMENTAPLROTECTION OF THE WETLANDS OF NORTH AMVRAKIKOS GULF (HALF AREA) UNKNOWN INTENTIONS OF MINISTRY... S I V

Legend: PROCESS BOTTEKLENECK/ INEFFICIENCY and one geographical, in order to depict the different management scales required for the ACTION/GOAL target area.

LEGEND ROADMAP GOALS INTENSIFY ACTIONS; CREATE BETTER SOCIAL ALLIANCE; Important locations for awarereness actions ESTABLISH PARTICIPATION CHANNELS Training infrastructure RE-OPEN TRAINING CENTERS In the unfortunate absence of policy and policy plan on behalf of the Management Agency ESTABLISH RULES AND INCLUDE CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS Climate change sentitive areas (MAINLY SEA LEVEL RISE) IN ALL ACTIONS AND PUBLIC WORKS

MOST INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSED SINCE 1980 HAS NOT Other infrastructure and public works BEEN REALISED (eventhough obliged by their establishment law since 2008), the main contribution of Sanctuary areas for fauna ENHANCE PROTECTION Meat and poultry/eggs industrial sites CONTROL ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ARCH documents, deliverables and workshops is to provide the administration with tools ESTABLISH AWARENESS ON ENDANGERED SPECIES WITH Marine endangered species FISHERMEN APPLY THE EXISTING LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO SITE Shellfish aquaculture SELECTION AND CARRYING CAPACITY which can help them establish their management plans and new ideas and experiences in CONTROL ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES; WASTE MANAGEMENT Fruit and juice production PRACTICES ENHANCE TOURISM ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY ATTRACT Important monuments VISITORS environmental management. CONTROL AND ERADICATE ILLEGAL HUNTING; INCREASE Illegal hunting AWARENESS ON ENDANGARED BIRD FAUNA

Intensive agriculture fields CONTROL AGRICULTURE WASTES AND AGROCHEMICALS

APPLY THE EXISTING LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO SITE Aquaculture farms (marine and freshwater) SELECTION AND CARRYING CAPACITY SUPPORT FISHERMEN ACTIONS; IMPROVE In other words, ARCH provided a concrete foundation (both methodological and political) Lagoon fishing INFRASTRUCTURE AND MARKETING

DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND SERVICES Main tourism areas/hotels and resorts SECTORS which can be directly used for management. Marine water sprots and recreation CONTROL ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN PROTECTED AREAS

Freshwater sports CONTROL ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN PROTECTED AREAS

IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE FURTHER (MONGER MARKET; Small scale and artisanal fisheries REFUGES etc.)