Suspension of Any Construction Initiatives on Sazan Island Due to the Threat to Protected Species and the Area’s Natural and Cultural Heritage

On the 23rd of January 2026, a group of 41 environmental organizations from 28 countries has expressed deep concern over the recently approved project to build a luxury resort on Sazan Island, Albania’s only island, which is surrounded by the Karaburun–Sazan Marine National Park. The project proposes interventions across 45 hectares, posing serious risks to the biodiversity and critical habitats of the area.

The organizations’ letter has been sent directly to Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, and Minister of Environment, Mr. Sofjan Jaupaj, calling for the immediate suspension of any decisions advancing the project, the formal inclusion of the island’s terrestrial areas into the Marine National Park, and its recognition as an Emerald Candidate Site and part of the future Natura 2000 network. Sazan Island and its surrounding waters provide crucial habitats for some of the world’s most endangered marine species, including the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), listed on the IUCN Red List and under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

The area also hosts 36 other globally threatened marine species, including marine plants, mollusks, crustaceans, fish, reptiles, and cetaceans, all protected under international agreements such as the Barcelona Convention, Bonn Convention, CITES, and Bern Convention. The Posidonia oceanica meadows and coastal caves of Sazan Island offer essential habitats for these species and are vital to the Mediterranean ecosystem. Since 2019, systematic monitoring has confirmed a stable presence of the Mediterranean monk seal and rich biodiversity within the Karaburun–Sazan area.

Signatures: 1 Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania, 2 Center for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro, 3 EcoAlbania, 4 Montenegro Dolphin Research (MDR), 5 Society for the Protection of Prespa, 6 Center for Environment (Bosnia and Herzegovina), 7 Resource Environmental Center Albania (REC Albania), 8 NGO Eco-team, 9 NGO Montenegrin Ecologists Society, 10 PIM Initiative, 11 Mediterranean Center for Environmental Monitoring (MedCEM), 12 Tour du Valat, 13 Green Home, 14 SPOT Marine Life, 15 Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon, 16 Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles - MEDASSET, 17 Archipelagos - environment and development, 18 MOm / Hellenic Society for the Study & Protection of the Monk Seal, 19 The Octopus Foundation, 20 Archipelagos - ambiente e sviluppo Italia, 21 BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, 22 Delphis NGO for the conservation of marine mammals Israel, 23 Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium, 24 Tethys Research Institute, 25 BirdLife Sverige, 26 Lipu-BirdLife Italy, 27 OTOP-BirdLife Polska, 28 BirdLife Norway, 29 Association Biom, 30 Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society, 31 Latvian Ornithological Society, 32 BirdLife Cyprus, 33 The Wilderness LLC, 34 Doğa Derneği, 35 Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, 36 Macedonian Ecological Society, 37 Czech Society for Ornithology, 38 Monk Seal Alliance, 39 Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, 40 Foundation Segre, 41 EuroNatur

Here you can find the signed letter from all organizations, providing more detailed information on environmental concerns for the protection of Sazan Island.

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