Source: UNITED
Presentation
This multi-use was developed within the framework of the UNITED project and aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and benefit of combining aquaculture and tourism. It is located in the Patroklos islet, 60 kilometers south of Athens. The islet is privately owned and visited by many tourists (private and collective tours). Tourism is one of the major blue economy sectors in Greece and aquaculture represents about 80% of the total value of commercial fish, crustaceans and molluscs at the national level.
In this case, the Kastellorizo farm has provided scuba diving tours since 2019, as it attracts many wild fish, which are thus abundant in the area and in turn, Planet Blueactivities also benefits the farm: the diving centre, which also carries out marine surveillance activities and owns remote operated vehicles (ROVs) for taking videos of disaster sites, can use their skill and equipment to facilitate the aquaculture activities.
The drivers for this multi-use endeavor derived from the desire to optimize the utilization of marine resources and space, while simultaneously minimizing environmental impact. The concept emerged as a response to the increasing demand for both aquaculture products and recreational diving experiences in the area. Recognizing the potential for coexistence and mutual benefit, the collaborating organizations sought to establish a framework that would facilitate the harmonious integration of these activities.
Through this pilot, UNITED highlighted the benefits of multi-use, not only for the two sectors involved but also for the wider local area. It provided technical assistance and expertise to both Kastellorizo andPlanet Blue. Additionally, the Greek Pilot aims to demonstrate innovative approaches to address these challenges while maximizing the benefits of multi-use practices. Through careful planning, management, and collaboration, stakeholders seek to achieve a balance between aquaculture production and tourism experiences while preserving the integrity of the marine ecosystem.
By leveraging advanced technologies and to facilitate co-existence between these activities, the WINGS monitoring and management platform, AQUAWINGS, is deployed. With this synergy, the Greek Pilot endeavors to set a precedent for responsible and sustainable marine resource utilization. Moreover, it serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, contributing to the broader goals of marine conservation and economic development in the region.
In the recent past, the local community was divided about the aquaculture farm, with some locals being concerned that the beauty of the landscape might be disturbed, preventing further growth of the local tourism industry. Collaboration between the Kastelorizo aquaculture farm and Planet Blue dive centre was engaged through the UNITED project and was key to achieve this multi-use. Also, interviews were carried out as part of UNITED activities, enabling a broader stakeholder engagement in the area to identify strategies to fully reap the benefits in terms of increased tourism.
No specific licensing or permitting procedures were needed to develop this multi-use which resulted from stakeholder cooperation.
Lessons learnt
- Effective coordination and collaboration between aquaculture and tourism stakeholders are essential for successful multi-use implementation, ensuring optimal utilization of marine resources.
- Technological solutions such as advanced monitoring platforms enhance operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, facilitating coexistence between diverse ocean activities.
- Flexibility and adaptability to external factors like regulatory changes and economic fluctuations are critical for maintaining resilience and achieving project objectives in dynamic marine environments.
Relevant links
The content of this page is based on the following:
Ocean Multi-Use Blueprints Collection
Contacts
Evangelia Lamprakopoulou
Kostas Thoctarides: info [at] planetblue.gr (info[at]planetblue[dot]gr)