THE STRAIT OF METHONI AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

The area in the southwestern Peloponnese that includes the coast from Cape "Kolyvri" to "Chondros Kavos," as well as the northern side of the island of Sapienza, is a zone of special ecological significance, also included in the Natura 2000 Network, with code GR2550007. The ocean bed has a great variety of impressive flora and fauna. One species that abounds here is the Mediterranean endemic Posidonia oceanica, which spreads across the sea area to a depth of 40 m, forming large and dense meadows. The significance of this species is that it is very sensitive to pollution and can thus be used as an indicator of the ecological conditions in the region. Other species that grow here: Cymodocea nodosa, Cystoseira, Halophila stipulacea and Caulerpa prolifera. The underwater area becomes even more interesting by the presence of many ancient shipwrecks, which make it especially popular to divers.