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Greece's
maritime civilization dates back to 3000 BC. Cretan, Aegean
and Mycenean people, and later Athenians and famous modern-day
ship-owners, like Aristotle Onassis and Stavros
Niarchos, have all contributed to Greece's long tradition
as a maritime nation.
Greek
maritime civilization was the central theme of the country's
exhibits at the last World Expos (Seville 1992 and
Lisbon 1998). This remarkable tradition, however, translates
into a serious responsibility for the present and the future:
The preservation of a clean and healthy marine environment.
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The total length of the Greek coastline is 16.000 km
(9,000 miles).
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Sources of Sea Pollution
Sea pollution
is a global environmental problem, but certain regions suffer
more. Particularly sensitive regions have been termed "hot
spots" by the UNEP and
there are several such areas in Greece.
"Hot
spots" in Greece (Source UNEP/MAP 1998, 1999)
- Elefsis
Bay
- Heraklion
Gulf
- N.W.
Saronic Gulf
- Inner
Saronic Gulf
- Nea
Karvali Bay
- Thermaikos
Gulf
- Amvrakikos
Gulf
- Larymna
Bay
- Pagasitikos
Gulf
- Lagoon
of Messolonghi
- Patraikos
Gulf
An analysis
of marine pollution incidents for 1995, provided by the Marine
Environment Protection Division of the Ministry
of Mercantile Marine, showed that pollution from ships
was detected in 71 cases, from land sources in 70 cases, and
from other unknown sources in 154 cases.
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