Greek turtle protection "inadequate"

Greece has failed to adequately protect the endangered sea turtle Caretta caretta on the island of Zakinthos, the European court of justice said last week. The ruling carries no immediate sanctions.

The court said Greece had not taken measures to "establish and implement an effective system of strict protection" for the sea turtle during the period it lays its eggs on several beaches of the Laganas bay. Caretta caretta is a specially protected species listed in an annex to the 1992 habitats directive and Laganas is thought to be its most important Mediterranean nesting site.