Gyaros, a Greek island with a dark and violent past, has become a haven for rare wildlife, particularly the Mediterranean monk seal. The island's isolation, violence, and punishment have left it untouched by development, creating a sanctuary for these seals. The monk seals' natural behavior, relaxed and adaptable, has allowed them to thrive on the island. The island's remote location and the navy's presence have created a rich feeding ground for the seals, with fishing banned for safety reasons. The island's seagrass meadows are mostly healthy, but the reefs are not, with overfishing leading to smaller fish overgrazing algal forests. The island's delicate balance is threatened by local small-scale fishing, with the government opening the area to fishing in 2022, leading to a free-for-all that impacted fish and seals. The island's political fragility and the lack of sufficient capacity to protect it are also concerns. The island's participatory process in designing its protected area gives a good example for others to follow, with stakeholders discussing what they feel Gyaros is for them and what is necessary to be done. The monk seals are now recovering beyond Gyaros, driven by the protection of key habitats and a change in attitudes among fishermen. Gyaros is an island of hope, but the need for a thousand Gyaroses across Greece to protect the Mediterranean's wildlife.
