Posidonia Oceanica: “Do Not Disturb” – A TP Environment Initiative
In Collaboration with Aegean Rebreath
In partnership with Aegean Rebreath, TP Environment launches the Posidonia Oceanica “Do Not Disturb” pilot initiative. This urgent SOS from the sea highlights the richness and threats to the seabed. Posidonia Oceanica, often called “seaweed,” forms vital underwater Posidonia meadows in the Mediterranean, safeguarding the seabed like a natural lung.
Why Protect Posidonia Meadows?
Posidonia meadows are essential for marine ecosystems and human well-being. By understanding and sharing accurate information, we can take meaningful steps to preserve this critical underwater ecosystem. Through TP’s collaboration with Aegean Rebreath, we aim to raise awareness and encourage actions that protect the Mediterranean’s biodiversity.
PROTECTING POSIDONIA MEADOWS
Water Alliance
As part of its TP CSR strategy, TP Greece actively promotes environmental initiatives through the Citizen of the Planet (COTP) program. One key effort is the partnership with Aegean Rebreath to form the Water Alliance, focusing on critical ecological issues and marine conservation.
Protecting Posidonia Meadows
Through this collaboration, TP Environment contributes to reducing environmental impact, conserving biodiversity, and promoting energy efficiency. The initiative educates, raises awareness, and inspires key audiences to safeguard the underwater Posidonia meadows, vital for healthy marine ecosystems.
Shared Responsibility and Community Engagement
Aegean Rebreath emphasizes environmental democracy, intergenerational equity, and individual responsibility. By partnering with local communities, civil society, and authorities, TP Greece helps preserve the marine environment as a shared resource for current and future generations.
Human Impact on Posidonia Meadows
Human activities, particularly recreational boating, have a severe impact on Posidonia meadows, which are essential to the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystem. Unregulated anchoring is a major contributor to this destruction, as boat anchors damage the seagrass, affecting marine biodiversity and water quality.
To combat this, TP Greece has partnered with Aegean Rebreath under the “Do Not Disturb” initiative to directly intervene and restore damaged meadows. Through the creation of sustainable anchorage areas, this project aims to protect Posidonia meadows from further harm while promoting responsible boating practices, ensuring the longevity of these underwater ecosystems.
Action Plan: Protecting Posidonia Meadows
Posidonia meadows are designated as critical priority habitats within the European Institutional Framework. Their significance lies in sustaining marine ecosystems and enhancing human well-being by preserving water quality and protecting shorelines.
The proposed action plan encompasses a comprehensive array of actions designed to preserve and underscore the ecological importance of Posidonia meadows.
Aegean Rebreath will spearhead the efforts, guided by scientific expertise from the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR), aiming to establish optimal practices within the Blue Municipalities Network.
The action plan will be piloted in a heavily affected area, with active involvement from local authorities, central administration, fishing communities, and HCMR in this crucial ecological initiative.
Key Components of the Action Plan Include:
