Messolonghi Estuary

An extended wetland complex, created by the Acheloos and Evinos Rivers and dominated by the Messolonghi (the largest one in Greece and second largest in the Mediterranean) and Aitolikon Lagoons.  In spite of the irrigation works, there are still extended saltflats, sand-strips, mudflats and riverine forests, which have remained across the main flow of the river.

 

There are rocky hills scattered between the lagoons and rocky islands off the coast. It includes the large cliffs of Mt Arakinthos, which are very important for the breeding birds of prey. These lagoons are being used as fishponds and salt pans, while in the surrounding area the land is being cultivated, and there are also small-scale industrial plants, while hunting is permitted.

 

The irrigation works, the extension of the fishponds and the salt pans, the construction of dams on Acheloos, for the diversion of the river to Thessaly (a project which seems to be abandoned after two decades of planning and preparation work), building, road constructing, overgrazing, and intensive hunting are causing, according to environment activists, serious problems.

 

The main lagoon covers an area of 150 square kilometers. Average depth is 40 centimeters (a little more than 1 foot), thus bottom illumination is adequate in favor of plant life.  Part of it has been proclaimed as a bordered Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area (13,900 hectares). It has also been proclaimed a Specially Protected Mediterranean Area, except for the Acheloos Delta.  Hunting is prohibited in part of the area (8,000 hectares).  Limitations in industry, building, and sewage disposal have been imposed.  In these sea meadows thousands of wild ducks of at least ten different species can winter out.  There are 280 different species of birds to be found here:  Breeding species include the Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus-photo to top left), the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), the Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), the Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), the Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola), the Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), and the Little Tern (Sterna albifrons). Other breeding species are the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus-photo to right), the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), the Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), the Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra), the Olive-tree Warbler (Hippolais olivetorum), and the Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor).

 

During migration, this area is very important for herons, the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), waders, and terns. There are few records of the Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris).  Wintering water-birds include the Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), the Great White Egret (Egretta alba), the Wigeon (Anas Penelope), the Pochard (Aythya ferina), the Coot (Fulica atra), and the Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei) - an endangered species. It is also an important area for wintering birds of prey like the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus), the Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), the Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), and the Peregrine (Falco peregrinus).

 

Two to four thousand tons of fish are harvested every year here; among them five species of bassfish, also grey mullet, gilthead, eel, and gadgeon.