Bern Convention

Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

The complaint was first expressed in 2010 by MEDASSET – the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles on the conservation status of the Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in Thines Kyparissias Bay.

This area is hosting over 10% of the documented nests in the Mediterranean. MEDASSET and the association ACHELON - Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece  claim that the site is under considerable pressure due to light pollution, cars driving onto the nesting beach, fishing, the installation of umbrellas and deck chairs during the nesting season, and especially due to road construction and building activities, which is causing the degradation and erosion of the dunes and coastal forests.

The on-the-spot appraisal (OSA) conducted in 2014 noted that, although the Kyparissia nesting site was still in a relatively pristine condition, there was an urgent need to minimise these pressures as well as to prohibit further construction of any buildings or roads. The OSA recommended among other conservation measures to consider giving the key nesting areas for sea turtles an appropriate protection status and to restore the original dune and forest habitat by demolishing any illegal road built perpendicularly to the shoreline and to prohibit permanently the construction of any villas or other buildings, new roads, or other infrastructure in the key areas where construction licenses have been suspended.

In 2014, the Standing Committee adopted the recommendations of the OSA. Parallel to the proceedings of the Bern Convention, a field visit by the European Union Commission in July 2012 resulted in the issuing of a Reasoned Opinion under Article 258 of the Lisbon Treaty for insufficient protection of the area. In 2014, the European Union Commission decided to refer the case (Case C-504/14) to the Court for breach of EU legislation (Directive 92/43). On 10 November 2016, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) had condemned Greece for failing to protect sea turtles in the bay of Kyparissia (see judgment).

In November 2019, the European Union Commission decided to refer another case (Case C-849/19) to the Court for breach of EU legislation (Directive 92/43). In December 2020, the ECJ had condemned Greece for failing to establish the necessary conservation objectives and measures for several sites of community importance, including Thines Kiparissias (see judgment).

At the 43rd Standing Committee in 2023, following a couple of years of talks with stakeholders of the concerned Mediterannean countries, a Guidance Tool on Conservation of sea turtles nesting sites was endorsed by the Standing Committee.

 Key Timeline

• 2010 - Case registration
• 2013 - Opening of Case
• 2014 - OSA and Recommendation No. 174 (2014)

 Other countries possibly concerned

• N/A

 Other international organisations involved

• European Commission
• European Court of Justice (ECJ)

 Documents

OSA report and recommendation

Regular reports to the Bureau and/or Standing Committee

Please note that all reports received by a Party during one calendar year are included in one single report for that year. Some older reports are not available in digital form.

Other information / documents