Media Watch, European Commission Press Release, 21 November 2011
Natura 2000, the EU’s network of protected areas, has undergone a significant expansion. Nearly 18 800 square kilometres have been added, including a major addition of marine areas covering 17 000 square kilometres which will increase protection for many endangered marine species. The network now covers almost 18% of the EU’s landmass and more than 145 000 km² of its seas. The main countries involved in this latest expansion are the UK, France, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Lithuania and Italy. Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of Europe’s battle to halt biodiversity loss and safeguard ecosystem services. […]
The new marine sites will provide a vital refuge for many of Europe’s rarest and most endangered species. In the Atlantic, the UK additions feature 9 coldwater reefs, including reefs off Rockall Island which are biodiversity hotspots home to coral, sea spiders and numerous as yet unnamed species. In the Mediterranean, the new sites will improve protection for emblematic species such as the green turtle Chelonia mydas, the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus, which play a key role in the ecosystems they inhabit. […]
Greece added two sites, namely the offshore site Vrachonisides Kalogeroi Kai Thalassia Zoni (1,7 km 2 ) for marine reefs, and the coastal site Nisos Gyaros Kai Thalassia Zoni (261 km 2 ), covered by extensive Posidonia (seagrass) meadows and reefs. This latter site also holds an important breeding population of the globally threatened Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus. […]
Sources: Environment — Major expansion of Europe’s protected natural areas, European Commission Press Release, 21 November 2011. | Details on the new additions to the Union lists of Natura 2000 sites, European Commission Press Release, 21 November 2011.