HCMR scientists involved in the project have participated in several EU research projects (eg. MESMA, CoCoNet, PERSEUS, MEDISEH) related to the monitoring and evaluation of spatially managed areas, the acquisition of knowledge relevant for MPAs implementation, as well as the study of human pressures and impacts on marine ecosystems, and have published a number of papers on MSP relevant issues. The role in ADRI-PLAN project will be to contribute to the investigation of the feasibility of MSP conditions for cross-border international cooperation and consultation, to the definition of the series of procedures (based on the 10 key principles) that will guide an effective cross-border MSP process in Focus Area 2 (ie. the South Adriatic/north Ionian study area), to the analysis of cross-border implications of MSP, and the requirements for a coherent planning system between Member States. It will also take part in highlighting points related to cross-border challenges due to potentially different phases in the policy cycle in different MSs, as well as to the development of MSP scenarios, making efforts to interact with key stakeholders and observers.

Description of Personnel Involved in the Project

vassilopoulouVassiliki Vassilopoulou

Research Director in the HCMR. Scientific responsible of several EU and national research projects and leader of work-packages within projects, certain of which dealing with reviewing the status of spatially managed areas, focusing on MPAs, and studying the pressures and impacts of human uses on the marine ecosystem under the MSFD, under which MPAs are considered as an effective management tool. Scientific responsible of the HCMR MESMA team, and leader of the respective greek case study, investigating the potential of implementing Marine Spatial Planning in greek waters. She studies pressures and impacts of human uses on the marine ecosystem under the MSFD perspective (WP5 leader of the FP7 project PERSEUS). She has co-authored a number of publications focusing on SMAs.

panayotidisPanayotis Panayotidis

Research Director in the HCMR. Leading expert in benthic ecology & marine habitat mapping. Responsible in the designation of the Greek marine Natura-2000 network project (1996-2001). Since 2005 member of the WG on the master-plan of the aquaculture in Greece and the integrated development of aquaculture zones. HCMR scientific responsible of the governance research activities of the MESMA project.

karachleParaskevi Karachle

Assistant Researcher in the HCMR. She has taken part in EU-funded projects regarding the fisheries sector. The last few years she has invested a big effort in interactions with stakeholders, particularly fishers, towards contributing to the development of an adaptive management process. She has been responsible for the reporting and dissemination in projects, and organization of meetings and workshops, especially on subjects regarding bringing together scientists and stakeholders.

maniopoulouMairi Maniopoulou

Is a European Policy scientist M.S.c. at the HCMR. She has worked at the European Commission in Brussels as an EU scientist, at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Athens as a project manager at the EU Presidency 2003, and at the NGO Religion Science and the Environment in Athens as an event coordinator on international environmental symposiums. She has worked as a venue manager in 417 private company in Athens, mainly involved in event organizing, public relations, marketing and real estate management.  She is currently working as a communication and public relations officer at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in Athens. She was part of the scientific team of the HCMR in the FP7 projects MESMA and ODEMM contributing to governance and policy aspects. She is the communication facilitator of the outcomes of the DG-MARE project ADRIPLAN in the frame of which she deals with policy aspects related to the implementation of cross-border Marine Spatial Planning.

Contact Details

Official address: Leoforos Athinon-Souniou 46.7 Km, 19013, P.O Box 712 Anavissos, Attica, Greece
T: (+30) 22 91076462, F: (+30) 22 91076323, E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., W: http://www.hcmr.gr

Contact person responsible for the organisation of the project’s work (the coordinator): Name: Vassiliki Vassilopoulou, E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Us


ADRIPLAN aims to deliver a commonly-agreed approach to cross-border MSP in the Adriatic-Ionian region, considered as a whole and more specifically through two Focus Areas (Northern Adriatic Sea; Southern Adriatic / Northern Ionian Sea).