Gyaros Island, an abandoned prison once linked with exile, has become a thriving sanctuary, home to iconic seals and seabirds. “This milestone was a 15-year effort to change how marine conservation works in the Mediterranean,” says Spyros Kotomatas, WWF Programme Manager for the Gyaros Marine Protected Area (MPA). Gyaros, once known for human struggle, has in fact always been in direct support of marine biodiversity, fisheries, climate regulation and coastline protection. Gyaros, once known for human struggle, has in fact always been in direct support of marine biodiversity, fisheries, climate regulation and coastline protection. Its successes slowly became a blueprint for marine conservation, informing protected area management far beyond the island itself.