The prince of Monaco, Albert II, last week toured the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades, in the central Aegean, as part of the Mission Greece framework and the Monaco Explorations program.

Albert, who is known for his efforts in support of the marine environment protection, arrived on the island of Alonissos to highlight efforts for the preservation of the Monachus monachus Mediterranean monk seal. Among others, he participated at the AMoS Film Festival on the Sporades Island. He also toured, by boat, the adjacent island of Skopelos, and even viewed a sea cave where the mammals take shelter.

The coves of Alonissos and its surrounding waters are a pre-eminent habitat for the endangered marine mammal.

He also toured the village of Patitiri and spoke with local officeholders, environment ministry officials, representatives of the Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A.) and local residents.