In June 2024 a memorandum of cooperation has been signed and is being implemented between the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Natural Environment and Climate Change, the Ocean Care organization and The Green Tank, for the undertaking of the requisite actions for the development and operation of the monitoring and early warning system of passing by ships, targeting at the in-time identification and localization of sperm whales (SAvE Whales System). The surveying actions provided for in the memorandum started in summer of 2024 and during 2025 completed the second year of implementation in the Kythira Strait. Furthermore, relevant reference to the early warning system for passing vessels is included in the Special Environmental Study concerning the Ionian National Marine Park.
This commitment aims at the protection of the listed and endangered sperm whales and the tackling of a significant threat for these species: Their killing and injury from collision with passing by ships.
The system for the monitoring and the early warning of passing by ships (SAvE Whales system, System for the Avoidance of ship strikes with Endangered Whales) constitutes an innovative tool which has already been put under pilot implementation in 2020 and 2021 in Southwest Crete. This system localizes the position of sperm whales (at a distance of up to 7 kilometers) and transmits this information in real time to the ships approaching the area in order to reduce speed or reroute and thus avoid a potential collision with the sperm whales. The commitment provides for the implementation of this system in the area between Kythira, Cape Tainaron and Cape Maleas, which constitutes part of the Hellenic Trench, a key habitat for sperm whales. This area, according to the relevant announcement of the Ministry of Environment and Energy will be integrated into the new Ionian National Marine Park, and thus the implementation of this commitment is linked also to the implementation of Commitment 2.
by 2028
2028
Steps 1 and 2 are based on steps for the implementation of the relevant project as they are stated in the relevant announcement of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and steps 3 and 4 four are based on the ensuring of the essential implementation and utilization of this system for the protection of sperm whales in the area.
