The Ionian Environmental Foundation (IEF) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Phase 2 of the Sustainable Sailing Ionian project, an initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable boating practices across the region. This effort aims to transform nautical tourism by ensuring eco-friendly outcomes and protecting the marine environment for future generations. The project aims to provide practical guidance on sustainable boating, supporting the growing trend of sustainable travel and offering visitors the opportunity to engage in conservation efforts. It will bring together charter companies, yacht owners, marinas, local authorities, and community organizations to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, to increase the level of sustainability within the industry.

In Phase 1, the project laid a strong foundation for promoting sustainable boating practices in the Ionian region by creating of the Sustainable Sailing Guide, which offers comprehensive information on Ionian marine fauna and flora, responsible boating practices, and ways tourists can support conservation efforts. Available both online and in printed format, the guide was made available to 10,000s of sailors last year. It received enthusiastic feedback from skippers and tourists alike, but also highlighted the need for increased awareness and practical information among charter tourists.

This project has been generously funded by Dare2B!

PHASE 2 

Phase 2 of the project will focus on protecting Posidonia meadows and reducing plastic waste in the Ionian region. The Ionian, especially Corfu and Lefkada, is a major hub for nautical tourism but lacks adequate information for charter tourists on preserving its delicate marine and terrestrial environments. To address the degradation of Posidonia meadows from poor boating practices, the project will advocate for eco-moorings, create educational materials on safe anchoring, map key anchoring areas, and produce instructive videos and pre-departure emails for clients. Additionally, Phase 2 will aim to tackle plastic waste by collecting and repurposing plastic bottles and increasing the availability of potable water refill stations. Collaborations with active NGOs in the area are underway, to provide collection bins at key ports and ensure proper recycling. The project will also explore installing water kiosks in the Ionian, inspired by successful implementations on other Greek islands. These initiatives aim to create tangible changes in sustainable boating practices, protecting the marine environment and promoting green tourism in the region.