Following a collaboration between Giorgos Amyras, Member of Parliament for Ioannina, the administration of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), scientists from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and the environmental organisation MedINA, a decision has been reached to gradually remove the artificial barriers located for decades along the Sarantaporos River. The Sarantaporos is a tributary of the Aoos River in the Regional Unit of Ioannina, and these barriers prevent many species of fish and eels from swimming upstream to reach their breeding grounds.
The meeting, which took place at the Parliament, included Mr. Amyras, the President of NECCA, Ms. Maria Papadopoulou, its CEO Mr. Konstantinos Triantis, NTUA professors Mr. Yiannis Kourtis and Mr. Vassilis Tsichrintzis, as well as MedINA researchers Alexis Katsaros and Fanikos Sakellarakis. The purpose of the meeting was to set timelines for the studies and works required to restore the flow of the Sarantaporos. Through this initiative, Greece is fulfilling its EU obligations under the Nature Restoration Regulation (EU/2024/1991) to restore the diversity of significant river ecosystems. Over 200 artificial barriers have been recorded along the Sarantaporos River by MedINA through the MapStream project.
Mr. Amyras stated: “The Sarantaporos, together with the Aoos, compose one of the few remaining free-flowing ecosystems in Europe. For decades, human interventions have fragmented the water flow, obstructing fish migration, sediment transport, and the natural renewal of the ecosystem. Restoring the uninterrupted flow of the Sarantaporos is an environmental necessity. During the meeting, a timeline was set for the removal of the barriers, aiming to protect biodiversity and reinforce the ecosystem, thereby ensuring the ecological balance of the Aoos river basin. The next step is to inform the Region of Epirus and the Municipality of Konitsa, so that together we can deliver this natural heritage to future generations as a model of sustainable management and ecological stability”.
On her part, the President of NECCA, Ms. Maria Papadopoulou, stated: “The Sarantaporos is one of the most important tributaries of the Aoos and a water ecosystem of decisive importance for Epirus. This collaboration with NTUA and MedINA aligns with NECCA’s fundamental principle and commitment: to invest in and rely on scientific knowledge and documentation. Our aim is for all interventions in the river to be based on reliable data and to genuinely serve the protection of the ecosystem, with respect for the needs of both nature and local communities”.
Finally, Mr. Fanikos Sakellarakis, MedINA’s Coordinator, noted: “Guided by data from the MapStream project, which revealed that only 58% of the hydrographic network remains connected, this project lays the groundwork for the removal of obsolete artificial barriers. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with NECCA and NTUA, places Greece at the forefront of implementing the Nature Restoration Regulation, thereby safeguarding one of the most pristine ecosystems in the country”.
*This was sent by the Office of the New Democracy (N.D.) Member of Parliament for Ioannina, Georgios Amyras.