Background

Present

Haphazard development

Waste disposal site

Greece’s failure to apply the law

The first written evidence that the loggerhaed turtle used the sandy beaches of Zakynthos island in Greece for nesting are recorded at the end of the 19th century, while, the first Presidential degree for the protection of the sea turtle was issued in 1980 while a second one with enhanced measures appeared in 1981.

The attempts for the conservation of the species started in 1983, when the first environmental organization (Sea turtle protection society then renamed as Archelon) was founded.

During the next years two more non governmental organizations (WWF and Medasset) started their efforts on the protection of the turtle by trying to limit the haphazard development of the island.

From 1994 and for a series of years, the non governmental organization MEDASSET? sent formal complaints to the European Union against the Greek Government for its failure to apply National and International Law on the Conservation of European Wildlife & Natural Habitats of which the European Community is a party.

Finally, in 1998 the infrindgement proceedures against Greece started and in 1999 Greece was taken to the European Court of Justice and the Presidential Decree providing the constitution for the Zakynthos National Marine Park (ZNMP) in Laganas Bay was signed immediately after the European Coucil announced its action in December 1999 during the Convention Meeting.

On the January 31, 2002, Greece was condemned by the European Court of Justice on the grounds of not fulfilling its obligations according to the order Greece was now obliged to implement the necessary measures to comply with the judgment and the pay court costs.

In 2003 the European Commision sent a final warning to the Greek government that it will bring the case back to the ECJ, unless Greece complies with the judgement.