Cessation of explosions in the Aegean Sea

Although absurd as it seems, nowadays explosions still continue to take place in the Greek Seas.

Instead of promoting the unique conservational value of our seas and the rare and protected species that still survive in them, we continue to use them as uncontrolled firing fields.
Small explosions still take place by “fishers” who illegally use dynamite for an easy catch, destroying in this way marine ecosystems and fishstocks. The most important problem though is the continued and uncontrolled usage of real ammunition from the armed forces, in inhabited islands, uninhabited islets and in the open sea. Firing in the open sea in the Aegean is not carried out only by the Greek armed forces, but also from those of Turkey and of NATO, since at a distance of only 6 miles from the shore, the waters are characterised as international.

The result is the dramatic impact of marine ecosystems, as millions of living organisms are killed, severe underwater noise pollution is produced (impacting greatly marine mammals), while in addition, large amounts of toxic substances are released into the environment.

An example of the extent of the problem is the official acknowledgement by the Greek Navy in 2003, of having fired 20,000 missiles of depleted uranium in Aegean Sea exercises. These missiles were donated by the U.S. army, and, according to naval authorities, they were unaware of the great hazards caused by this material.

 

Cancellation of uncontrolled military exercises in environmentally critical habitats, after Archipelagos intervention

Following intervention by Archipelagos, at the end of October 2005 resolution was reached by the Greek Ministry of National Defence, for the first time, to take all necessary measures required so that military exercises using real ammunition are in future prohibited in environmentally critical areas.

This decision was result of action by Archipelagos at the end of September 2005 that led to the cancellation of scheduled firing exercises on protected islets Anhydro and Petrokaravo (north Dodecanese).These islets support significant habitats for priority protected species, such as the Monk Seal and Eleonora’s Falcon, as well as Cory’s Shearwater, Mediterranean Shearwater, Aristotelis’ Cormorant, Audouin’s Gull and many others. Anhydro and Petrokaravo constitute important breeding sites for these species Archipelagos had informed the Greek military and political authorities of the fact that the particular exercises in that area did not comply with Greek Legislation (Law 1417/16.9.2005).

On the day of the planned exercise, Archipelagos' members together with inhabitants of the region surveyed the particular islets with two boats (despite adverse weather conditions). The immediate reaction of a large number of scientists and environmental organizations from many different countries was of great significance.

The issue of the scheduled military exercises with real ammunition on the protected islets, was brought to the Greek parliament at the end of October. As a result, according to order by the Ministry of National Defence, it is forbidden from now on to carry out military exercises or use of real ammunition, on the islets Anhydro and Petrokaravo.

Anhydro and Petrokaravo are characterized for their environmental importance as have a unique richness in both their marine and terrestrial habitats. Every summer-autumn hundreds of Eleonoras' falcons come to these islets to reproduce.

Ministry of National Defence authorities stated that there was lack of sufficient information on the environmental significance of the regions where military exercises have been taking place. In order to ensure that the natural ecosystems are not impacted further by military exercises, ministry authorities will from now on consult with the Ministries of the Environment and of Agricultural Development. Moreover, the Ministry of Defence issued a 'Relevant Permanent Order' to the Greek Armed forces, that scheduled exercises are to be carried out on the basis of detailed information and in collaboration with the Local Government Organizations.

The intervention by Archipelagos not only resulted in the cancellation of the exercise and the stop of the use of these islets as firing grounds, but has also brought up the issue of uncontrolled firing exercises and explosions in the Aegean by the military forces of Greece , Turkey and NATO.

In the last few years, Archipelagos has been collecting data on military exercises using real ammunition taking place all year round in the Aegean . We will continue coordinated action in order to make the complex problems caused by the use of real ammunition on ecosystems as well as close to inhabited areas known, and contribute to a solution. It is hoped that the citizens' organizations, other environmental organizations and also the local authorities will realize the significance of this issue and actively participate in its solution.

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