The Messolonghi Lagoon complex is part of a Marine Protected Area (MPA). It is the most recent MPA in Greece established in 2006 as National Park of Messolonghi - Aetoliko Lagoons, Estuaries of Acheloos and Evinos and Echinades Islands. It is also a Ramsar Site, an Important Bird Area (IBA), and part of the Natura 2000 network. The National Park is covering about 44,200 hectares including the centre of the Park which is the lagoon complex and the Echinades islands of the inner Ionian archipelagos.
In the framework of MMMPA project sampling of biotic and abiotic parameters was performed by HCMR and University of Athens, in Messolonghi and Patraikos Gulf during spring 2012 along environmental and pollution gradients.
The park is located in Etoloacarnania prefecture, near Mesolonghi town, where Evinos and Acheloos rivers fall. The whole park is considered one of the most important wetlands in Europe. The park is very important for bird watchers since more than 170 species of birds are found (most of them protected): the Short-toed Eagle, the Imperial Eagle, the Dalmatian Pelican, the Middlespotted Woodpecker, the Isabelline Wheatear, the White Stork, the Greater Flamingo, the Spur-winged Plover and many others.
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