With these new studies, the full set of SES required for drafting the Presidential Decree is now complete. They also cover the land areas of the park’s larger islands that are part of the Natura 2000 Network and had been pending, following the approval at the end of 2025 of the SES for the marine section of the park. Their approval contributes to the substantial protection of the Cyclades and part of the Dodecanese, and to the comprehensive preservation of their unique natural wealth.
For the first time, a clear, cohesive and modern framework of rules is being established for the protected areas across the entire Cyclades, part of the Dodecanese, and the islets of Falconera and Velopoula in the Myrtoan Sea. At the same time, the overall planning for the protection of the marine and island space of the South Aegean is being strengthened.
Through the SES, the following are defined:
- Protection zones
- Permitted land uses and activities
- Management and conservation measures, aimed at preserving ecosystems and ensuring compatibility with low-impact human activities
The specific protection objectives include:
- Preserving elements of the natural environment that are unique at international, national, and local level
- Preserving elements of the man-made environment that define the historical identity of the area
- Supporting the development of low-impact human activities compatible with the protection of the natural and cultural heritage
- Meeting the country’s EU commitments on environmental protection
The studies place particular emphasis on the protection of important threatened species, such as the Mediterranean monk seal, cetaceans, and sea turtles, as well as bird species and endemic fauna of the islets. Sensitive habitat types are also protected, with a focus on Posidonia seagrass meadows, while the high ecological and biogeographical value of the Aegean Archipelago island complex is recognized. The studies acknowledge the special character of the island areas and seek the necessary balance between environmental protection and sustainable development.
In this context, traditional uses are maintained and supported, such as agriculture, livestock farming, beekeeping, and fishing, under conditions and regulations that ensure the preservation of the landscape and biodiversity.
Of particular importance is the fact that the agricultural character of the islands and the traditional island landscape are recognized and protected. The maintenance, restoration, and re-cultivation of traditional terraces and other agricultural structures and elements of the rural landscape are permitted, using local materials and respecting the architectural character of each area.
The new regulations also set clear terms and restrictions regarding tourist activities and uses, with the aim of protecting and conserving the significant ecosystems and species found in both coastal and inland areas. The tourist character of the islands is acknowledged, but its development is now placed within a clear regulatory framework, so that it is compatible with the carrying capacity of the areas and the requirements of natural environment protection.
Particular weight is also given to regulating vessel traffic and anchoring, primarily to protect Posidonia seagrass meadows. In this context, the gradual installation of Posidonia-friendly mooring buoys is foreseen, at locations to be specified in the relevant Management Plans.
SES 8A and 8B also take into account the island character as a critical planning factor. They recognize the particularities of the islands, their infrastructure needs, connectivity challenges, as well as the importance of the local economy and the quality of life of residents. In this way, a development model compatible with the special characteristics of island areas is shaped, and the necessary legal certainty for permitted activities is reinforced.
The completion of SES 8A and 8B:
- Strengthens the protection of the natural heritage of the Cyclades and the South Aegean
- Provides a clear and comprehensive framework for permitted uses and activities
- Contributes to sustainable development and the balance between the environment, local communities, and the economy
With the approval of these two studies, the Ministry of Environment and Energy — implementing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s commitment to create two National Marine Parks in the South Aegean–Southern Cyclades and the Ionian — is decisively advancing the substantive protection of the protected areas of the South Aegean, ensuring that nature conservation will be a stable pillar for the future of the islands and their local communities. “In this way, we place Greece at the forefront of marine environmental protection across Europe.”
