Press Release: Greece: Commission continues legal action to protect rare sea turtle

The European Commission decided on 15 October 2004 to pursue legal action against Greece for failure to effectively protect the rare loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) on the island of Zakynthos. Greece was already condemned by the European Court of Justice in 2002 for this failure. The Court found that Greece was not doing enough to protect the breeding sites of the sea turtle on a number of beaches on Zakynthos. The Commission will now send Greece a final written warning urging it to comply with the 2002 ruling. This warning is the last step before the Commission can ask the Court to impose penalties on Greece. With this action, the Commission wants to ensure that Greece protects its rich biodiversity to the benefit of their citizens and future generations.