15 environmental organisations demanding immediate cessation of seismic surveys in Ionian Sea

Following three incidents of beaked whales being washed ashore in the region, 15 environmental organisations are demanding from the government that seismic surveys in the Ionian Sea be halted immediately.

The organisations sent an official letter yesterday to the Prime Minister as well as the Minister and Deputy Minister for Environment and Energy calling on them to ask the company Hellenic Petroleum to immediately stop the seismic surveys that are being conducted in the region.

The urgent demand is being made as three beaker whales have been washed ashore in the area in which the research vessel SW Cook has been conducting seismic surveys.

The organisations are also demanding increased vigilance to prevent any other similar incidents. They stress that, according to precautionary principles, the surveys in the area should be halted immediately, considering the serious consequences of the noise on cetaceans, especially when it comes from seismic surveys or the use of military sonar.

The letter was signed by the following organisations:

- Anima
- Arion Research Centre for the Rescue and Care of Cetaceans
- Arcturos
- Archelon
- Hellenic Society for the Environment & Cultural Heritage
- Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature
- Hellenic Ornithological Society
- Kallisto
- Ecological Recycling Company
- Pelagus Institute
- Greenpeace
-  iSea
- Medasset
- MOm - Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal
- WWF Hellas