Greenpeace Advocates for Cessation of Greek Offshore Drilling Due to Marine Life Threat
The region under exploration, inclusive of the Hellenic Trench, is vital for these species already endangered by pollution, fishing, and ship collisions. Although current project safeguards restrict winter explorations to minimize breeding disturbances, the continuous presence of marine mammals amplifies concerns.
In 2019, Greece awarded exploration rights in the seabed areas south and southwest of Crete to an international consortium, with smaller projects progressing further north. This year witnessed ExxonMobil and Greece’s Helleniq Energy concluding a three-month seismic seabed survey in these blocks, with the Greek government hinting at initial exploratory drilling by 2025. Despite assurances of adherence to stringent environmental standards, the sonic blasts from seismic surveys, known to be harmful to sound-sensitive marine species, along with the noise from drilling and extraction activities, pose significant threats.
The report from Greenpeace Greece, the University of Exeter, and the Athens-based Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute highlighted the presence of at least five cetacean species during winter 2022, aligning with similar findings from summer research, thereby underlining the year-round threat the drilling project presents to these marine inhabitants.
Greenpeace has strongly recommended the cancellation of all offshore drilling permits to safeguard marine life and contribute to the broader fight against the climate crisis, as the project aims to exploit undersea fossil fuels despite the associated environmental repercussions.
