To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, Athens International Airport and ΜΕDASSET (Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles) welcome airport visitors to an impressive photography exhibition titled “Travelling with Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean”. The exhibition takes visitors on a “deep-sea tour” of the amazing biodiversity in the Mediterranean, the protection of which being MEDASSET’s main objective. Marine scientist and underwater photographer, Yiannis Issaris, guides us through an exploration of the rich seabed and its “inhabitants”. Well-known photographers from around the world, such as David Schrichte, Kurt Amsler, Nuno Sá, Franco Banfi, and Angel M. Fitor, have also contributed their photographs. In the 30 photographs on display, visitors will enjoy the Mediterranean flora and fauna, and will learn about the imminent dangers they face: climate change, invasive species, pollution, over-fishing, ecosystem destruction. The sea turtle, one of the animals most endangered with extinction, naturally holds a special position in the exhibition. As flagship species, sea turtles are ambassadors of all species and habitats in need of protection. Photographs from MEDASSET’s many years of continuous activity across the Mediterranean are also on display, as well as informative material regarding the protection of sea turtles. The exhibition will be open to the public for four months, starting on Monday, May 3rd, in the airport’s Environmental Information Centre / Departures Level / Entrance 3. The exhibition is accessible for all passengers and airport visitors, on a 24-hour basis.
ΜEDASSET Jenny Ioannou Communications / Public Relations tel./ fax: + 30 210 3613572 www.medasset.gr
Founded in 1988, MEDASSET is an international not for profit environmental NGO registered as a charity and private company in the UK and as a Non Profit Organisation in Greece. MEDASSET plays an active role in the study and conservation of sea turtles and their habitats throughout the Mediterranean, through scientific research, environmental education, political lobbying and raising public awareness. Through the survey of over 7,800 km. of Mediterranean coastline, MEDASSET has succeeded in reaching conservation landmarks from Sardinia to the NE Aegean and from the Ionian Sea to the shores of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, and more recently, Albania. MEDASSET has been a Partner to the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of UNEP and a Permanent Observer-member of the Bern Convention at the Council of Europe since 1988.