Seal Greece sailing boat ΄Bonnie R΄ in Corfu

The ecological sailing boat Bonnie R arrived in Corfu on Friday, July 18th. It will begin its journey through the Ionian Sea as part of the Seal Greece campaign for the protection of the monk seal Monachus monachus.

The sailboat will remain on the island for two days to raise public awareness about our responsibility and the ways in which we can help protect this endangered species, which has found refuge in Greece’s seas. It is worth noting that the global population of the Mediterranean monk seal currently does not exceed 1,000 individuals — and half of them are found in Greek waters.

The vessel's crew consists of Nora, a marine biologist from Germany who serves as the project’s ambassador, and John, the captain.

Bonnie R will depart for Paxos on the morning of Sunday, July 20th.

The national awareness campaign Seal Greece — designed and jointly implemented by the Monk Seal Alliance and the Organisation for Natural Environment and Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment and Energy — is sailing through the archipelagos of Greece with the goal of protecting the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), one of the most vulnerable marine mammals in the world.

Ionian Route

• Corfu (Gouvia): July 18–19

• Paxos: July 21–22

• Preveza: July 24–25

• Lefkada: July 26–27

• Meganisi: July 29–30

• Cephalonia (Fiskardo): August 1–2

• Ithaca (Vathy): August 4–5

• Zakynthos (Port): August 8–9

VASSILIS PANTAZOPOULOS