Northern Aegean: Fourni Island’s Underwater Diving Park Receives Official Approval

Photo source: Environment and Energy Ministry

The establishment of an underwater diving park on the island of Fourni has received official approval following the publication of a joint ministerial decree in the Greek government’s official journal in mid-November.

According to the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy, the park will be located in an area known as Lemonopetres on Fourni Island. Specifically, it will cover an area of 163 stremma (199.66 acres), situated south of the Kontogiannis Peninsula, within the Municipality of Fourni Korseon in the regional unit of Ikaria, part of the Northern Aegean Region.

Greek Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Nikos Tagaras, emphasized that the new decree outlines stringent protection measures for the marine environment, cultural heritage, and local ecosystems. “I hope that the diving park will become a major attraction, driving development while ensuring respect for the environment,” Tagaras stated.

The underwater park will be managed by the Municipality of Fourni Korseon, which will be responsible for both environmental protection and the safety of visitors and divers. Additionally, the municipality will oversee the enforcement of laws safeguarding the region’s antiquities and cultural heritage.

“It is a great honor for our municipality to achieve this ambitious goal, which will contribute to the protection of the marine environment and foster the development of the wider Fourni area,” said Fourni Korseon Mayor Dimitris Karidis.

The concession agreement for the park will be valid for 20 years, with the possibility for the municipality to request a 10-year extension from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Activities within the park will focus on recreational diving, conducted by organized groups led by professional divers. However, anchoring within 50 meters of the park’s boundaries and the construction of any permanent facilities on the Lemonopetres islets will be strictly prohibited.

To ensure safety and compliance with local regulations, the municipality will be required to install signage, conduct annual assessments of the marine ecosystem, and implement other necessary measures in accordance with Greek law.