Mount Athos and surrounding marine area
GR037
24° 11’ 42.739” E, 40° 19’ 44.640” N Area: 171 km 2 Region: Kentriki Makedonia • Prefecture: Chalkidiki
A1, A4ii, B1ii, C1, C2, C6 Seaward Extension & Pelagic Area
Site Description This IBA, located along the eastern coast of Agio Oros Peninsula encloses a 1 n.m. marine extension from Cape Arapis at the northern-most part of Mount Athos Peninsula up to Cape Timiou Prodromou at the eastern-most end of the peninsula. It includes vital foraging and resting areas for the local population of the Mediterranean Shag breeding along the eastern
coast of the peninsula, as well as important foraging areas for the Yelkouan Shearwaters. Significant Yelkouan Shearwater foraging areas, which are associated with rich fishing grounds of the Thracian Sea, also extend towards Thasos island and the Gulf of Kavala, beyond the current boundaries of the IBA.
Ornithological Importance The area is of particular importance for the 20-30 pairs of Mediterranean Shag breeding along the coast and the Yelkouan Shearwaters which feed in the area, primarily during the breeding season. It is estimated that up to 1,000 Yelkouan Shearwaters regularly feed within the area. Up-to-date, no large Yelkouan Shearwater colony has been discovered in the area suggesting that these birds come from
colonies in the wider area of the Northern and potentially Central Aegean Sea. Similarly, large Yelkouan Shearwater foraging congregations have been recorded in other nearby marine areas, such as around Thasos island and the Gulf of Kavala to the northeast, as well as the southern and eastern coast of Sithonia Peninsula to the south.
species
related IBA
year
season
min
max
unit
accuracy
Phalacrocorax aristotelis
GR037
2009
B
20
30
P
good
species
related IBA
year
season
min
max
unit
accuracy
2007-12
B
300
1000
I
good
Puffinus yelkouan
80
criteria C6 criteria A1, A4ii, B1ii, C1, C2