Gyaros: From Devil Island to a sanctuary for Mediterranean monk seals
Gyaros, a remote Greek island once used as a brutal prison and bombing range, has become a wildlife haven after monk seals were photographed there in 2004. It was designated Greece's first Marine Protected Area in 2019 and, by 2026, a strict no-take zone, with monitoring to deter illegal fishing and protect seals, seabirds like Yelkouan shearwaters, and reefs. Yet threats remain from invasive predators and broader Mediterranean pressures, underscoring the need for wider, coordinated protections beyond Gyaros.
