Alonnisos Marine Park, Marine protected area in Northern Sporades Islands, Greece
Alonnisos Marine Park is a protected marine area in the Northern Sporades that includes Alonnisos island, six smaller islands, and many uninhabited islets scattered across the Aegean Sea. The park contains diverse underwater habitats, from shallow coastal waters to deeper zones with different ecosystems.
The creation of this marine sanctuary started in the 1970s when researchers recognized the ecological value of the region. By the 1980s the protected area was officially established to preserve marine habitats and their wildlife.
Local fishing communities supported the park's creation because they understood the importance of protecting marine resources. Today you can see how people in Alonnisos villages still maintain their traditional connection to the sea and its resources.
The best way to reach the park is by boat from Alonnisos island, where tours and rental services are available. You should know that some areas allow swimming and snorkeling while other zones are reserved for observation only.
The park is home to a wide variety of fish species and serves as a critical refuge for the rare Mediterranean monk seal. Beneath the water surface lie several ancient shipwrecks and archaeological sites that reveal the region's long maritime history.
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