Sporades sea park

2. The National Marine Park of Alonnisos in Northern Sporades, is the first Marine Park in Greece
and the largest protected marine area in Europe (approximately 2,220 km2). Besides the sea
area, the park includes the island of Alonissos, 6 smaller islands (Peristera, Kyra Panagia,
Psathoura, Pepper, Skantzoura and Jura) and 22 islets
The geographical isolation of the area, the morphology, the limited degree of human
intervention and the excellent condition of the natural environment, make the landscape and
the maritime areas of the Park, an ideal shelter for many endangered, species of land and
marine flora and fauna
The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus took its name either because of the shape
of the top of its head that looks like wearing a hat of a Catholic monk or because they do not
live in large groups, preferring the isolation from human presence