The municipal committee of the municipality of Marathon decided to submit an expression of interest to participate in the state aid program for diving tourism of the Ministry of Tourism.
The municipality plans to raise the amount of the proposal to 300,000 euros for the creation of Free Artificial Underwater Attractions. If the relevant proposal is approved, the subsidy will increase to 100%.
Specifically, the proposal of the municipality of Marathon concerns the creation of a free artificial underwater attraction, in a marine area south of Cape Agios Andreas, by placing artificial reefs made of cement pipes suitable for a marine environment, as well as three fish hatchery structures, two of which will have a pyramidal shape and one will have a tree-like shape.
Furthermore, the location area of ??the Free Artificial Underwater Attraction is considered suitable, as it presents suitable bathymetric characteristics, is protected for a large part of the year from intense waves, while at the same time, the location in the area of ??interest is not expected to affect existing marine uses (swimming beaches, water sports, boat passage, etc.), creating conflicts or potential conflicts. Furthermore, according to the municipality, the project is not located in a Natura 2000 area, and no underwater antiquities have been identified.
It is noted that the Ministry of Tourism has submitted a call for applications for support for diving tourism within the framework of the “Tourism Development” Action of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
The “Diving and Underwater Tourism” project is in line with the principles of Blue Growth and concerns the protection and promotion of the underwater environment and the exploitation of the comparative advantages (natural and cultural) that the country has. It aims at the creation and upgrading of diving/underwater parks and the promotion of the underwater environment, with the aim of developing the local economy and employment, as well as adding a new activity to the Greek tourism portfolio, suitable for all year round.
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