SEAL GREECE is a national initiative co-developed and led by NECCA, the Greek National Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency and the Monk Seal Alliance, a donor coalition dedicated to protecting this emblematic species. The project was co-designed by these two partners to strengthen the protection of monk seal habitats through a strategic, coordinated effort that complements existing initiatives such as LIFE IP 4Natura and others.
This pilot effort aims to fill a critical gap: creating operational links between on-the-ground conservation work and the legal responsibilities of Greek authorities under EU law, particularly the Habitat Directive. It will do so by building on previous efforts, consulting with experts and local stakeholders, and proposing concrete, practical tools to regulate and manage human activity in sensitive monk seal areas.
During this first phase, SEAL GREECE will focus on preparing the ground for implementation through five key goals:
To ensure the project’s long-term success and scalability, SEAL GREECE will design a Replicability and Transferability Plan (RTP). This plan will identify sustainable financing mechanisms to support continued actions in the original project areas and expand efforts to other regions in Greece. The RTP will explore funding models, partnerships, and institutional arrangements that can sustain and grow monk seal conservation beyond the current project scope.
This type of initiative has never been tested before at a national scale in Greece. By coordinating efforts between NGOs, field experts, and public institutions, SEAL GREECE sets the stage for meaningful, long-term conservation outcomes for one of Europe’s most endangered marine mammals.
