One of the key topics of this year’s Elafonisos Eco Week was “Blue Opportunities.” During the conferences on the second day, Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, opened her speech by praising the impactful work of Elafonisos Eco in raising ecological awareness, promoting sustainable practices, and protecting marine biodiversity—both on the island and across the broader Mediterranean region.
She highlighted the leadership of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in global ocean conservation, notably through initiatives such as the Monaco Blue Initiative and the Blue Economy Finance Forum. She emphasized the importance of the strong environmental partnership between Greece and Monaco, particularly in safeguarding the Mediterranean’s rich marine life.
Following Greece’s announcements during the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens (2024), she outlined key commitments: the establishment of two new marine protected areas, a ban on bottom trawling and the creation of two Centers of Excellence: one focused on marine mammals and the other on sustainable tourism.
Dionisya also discussed how new technologies, including artificial intelligence, will be utilized to monitor and manage marine ecosystems. Greece is making major investments to decarbonize its maritime sector and restore polluted coastal areas. A €1.6 billion fund has been launched to support the green transition of the Greek islands, financing sustainable transport, desalination infrastructure, and renewable energy solutions.
In closing, she proposed a 22nd commitment: a coordinated, Mediterranean-wide response to the growing threat of the invasive lionfish. She detailed its harmful impact on marine biodiversity and local economies and introduced Greece’s new national strategy.
This includes legalizing lionfish fishing and trade, funding research, engaging local communities and promoting sustainable action on a local level. At the end, she commended Elafonisos Eco’s pioneering role in this area and concluded with a powerful message on the collective responsibility to protect the Mediterranean Sea for future generations.