The environmental problem
In Greek Seas lives a large number of unique marine mammal species!
8 different species of whales and dolphins and the Mediterranean monk seal live permanently in the seas and coasts of Greece, whereas 5 more are occasional visitors. This enormous diversity of marine mammals highlights the great importance of our natural marine environment for the survival of these species. Despite the latter, these animals face numerous threats, most of which are directly or indirectly related to our behaviour and everyday activities. As a sad consequence to this, their populations are constantly decreasing in alarming rates, while some species are even threatened with extinction!

​

Objectives
“Thalassa” project is the first integrated awareness campaign, aiming at the educating and informing all of us, children and adults, on the serious need to protect the unique and charismatic marine mammal fauna, as well as the marine environment of Greece. It is an endeavour to sensitise the public on and promote the current knowledge about marine mammals, their characteristics and the threats they face. Furthermore one of the most important goals of “Thalassa” is to present to the general public means and ways on how we can all help the protection of marine mammals, by changing our attitude towards the marine environment and by adopting friendlier behaviours and by taking specific actions in our daily lives that can make the difference for the viability of these species.

​

What we can do
There are a lot we can all do together and each one of us separately, to help on the efforts for the survival of the marine mammals in the Greek Seas, and can be divided into the following categories:
a) New legislation initiatives but also enforcement of the existing laws.
b) Conservation and protection actions of ecologically important areas where marine mammals live and grow.
c) Promotion and support of the scientific research, because the more we learn about the marine mammals the better measures of protection we can take for them.

​

Apart from the above specific actions, there are also small everyday behaviours that can significantly help marine mammals to survive, and thrive in Greek seas! How?

Following, you can read some examples of friendlier attitudes towards the marine environment and marine mammals that may substantially contribute in their survival and viability.

• We don’t throw garbage in the seas and coasts.

• We use as less plastic as we can. We prefer the multi-purpose bags or the cloth bags.

• Recycle! We recycle everything that can be recycled such as plastic, glass and paper.

• We refuse to consume small and undersized fish that are either protected by the legislation, or species that are illegal to be consumed and endangered with extinction.

• We become active citizens. We participate in environmental actions locally, where we live and we add volunteerism in our life, by participating in the work of environmental organizations for the protection of the environment.

​

Actions
More information, footage and images you can see and learn from the various tools developed for the “Thalassa” project. These tools include TV and radio spots, posters, leaflets, print ads, the documentary. All the above can be seen here .
More specifically, in this site, which is designed for children and educators, you can find more information on the marine mammal species, play interactive games and participate in the online activities as well as contact with us for any question or additional information you may need.

To learn more click on www.thalassa-project.gr.