Within MEDAQCLIM project the public stakeholders (public authorities, cooperatives, organizations, institutes, etc.) related to Nestos river delta concerning the investigated issues are selected and divided into the following categories:

• Management Body Delta Nestos Vistonidas-Ismarida and Thassos
• Administrative authorities
• Fishery related stakeholders
• Agriculture related stakeholders
• Νon-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Other Stakeholders

Management Body of Delta Nestos, Vistonidas-Ismarida and Thassos

The National Park of East Macedonia-Thrace (https://fd-nestosvistonis.gr/), as defined in 2008 by the Common Minister Decision 44 549 (Government Gazette 497/A/17-10-2008), includes the protected areas of wetlands D. Nestos, Av. Vistonida, Av. Ismarida and the wider region, by land and water total area of ​​over 930,000 acres.

The Nestos Delta Management Body Vistonidas- Ismarida and Thassos (F.D.) is a private legal entity, non-profit organization established in April 2003 by CMD of Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Development, as an established National Park management organ East Macedonia and Thrace.

Administrative authorities

The administrative authorities related to Nestos river delta concerning the issues investigated by the MEDAQCLIM project are divided into the following categories:

• Authorities of the Decentralized Administration of MAKEDONIA-Thrace (http://www.damt.gov.gr/).
• Authorities of the Periphery of East Macedonia and Thrace (Regional Units) (https://www.pamth.gov.gr/index.php/el/).
• Municipalities of Nestos (https://dimosnestou.gov.gr/) and Xanthi (https://www.cityofxanthi.gr/).

Fishery related stakeholders 

The Agricultural Fishery Cooperative of Lagoons (https://www.kcci.gr/memberpages/details/122/agrotikos-alieutikos-sunetairismos-limnothalasson) has been operating in the Keramoti Lagoons in the prefecture of Kavala since 1950. The main products are sea bass, bream, blue crab, calf, and fish roe.

The Institute of Fisheries Research (https://inale.gr/en/home_inale_en/) belongs to the Greek Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO – DIMITRA), which is supervised by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The Institute is based in Nea Peramos, Kavala and has been operating since 1995 with major research activities in the field of fishery, aquatic environment (coastal, transitional, and inland waters), exploitation of fishery products and aquaculture. The specialized research and technical staff of the Institute participates and implements a large number of research projects and studies, works as a consultant in the development of the country’s fisheries and environmental policy, provides services to Public Services and private bodies, while at the same time significantly contributes to the education of graduates and postgraduate students professionals in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Agriculture related stakeholders 

The GEOTEchnical Chamber of GreecE – GEOTEE (https://www.geotee.gr/) is a public service that aims to expand and promote scientific knowledge in the fields of agriculture, livestock farming, forestry, fishing and the management of mineral and water resources in an attempt to intervene and guiding development in the above areas. 

Land Reclamation and Improvement Organizations (L.R.I.O) are organizations with a public character as they perform work related to the administration, operation, and maintenance of land improvement projects in their area of ​​responsibility.

They are distinguished in primary Local Land Reclamation and Improvement Organizations (L.L.R.I.O.) and secondary General Land Reclamation and Improvement Organizations (G.L.R.I.O.). All Land Reclamation and Improvement Organizations have been characterized as Public Benefit Organizations, belong to the wider public sector and are compulsory agricultural cooperative organizations.

The L.R.I.O are legally responsible bodies whose object is related to the management (ie administration, operation and maintenance) of land improvement works (Land improvement works are dams, irrigation canals, drainage ditches, pumping stations, small technicians, agricultural road construction, etc.) of their area of ​​jurisdiction and distribute irrigation water to farmers.

Within Nestos Delta there are 3 L.L.R.I.O.:

• L.L.R.I.O. of Chrisoupoli
• L.L.R.I.O. of Chrisohori
• L.L.R.I.O. of Thalasia Kremasti

As Nestos Delta is an area of intensive agricultural activity there are many Agricultural Cooperatives and Associations, that play an important role regarding the delta’s management. Most of them are mentioned below:

• Agricultural Cooperative of Asparagus Producers (Nestos)
• Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (UAC) of Kavala
• Agricultural Cooperative of Chrisoupoli
• Agricultural Assosiation of Nestos Municipality
• Agricultural Cooperative of Cereals (Piges Nestou)
• Producers Organization – Agricultural Cooperative of Asparagus Producers (ASSOS)
• Agronomists Association of Kavala

Νon-governmental organizations (NGOs)

The Nestos delta is considered one of the most important wetlands not only in Greece but all over Europe as well, due to the extent and variety of habitats.  The whole Nestos delta is under the Ramsar Convention, belonging to the Natura 2000 network and the Regions of the European Union Special Bird Protection and is a highly protected area, for its ecological interest. In the coastal area of the Nestos river delta there are some very important wetlands (small lakes, lagoons, marches, bogs, etc.).  

Non-governmental organizations have become aware of issues concerning Nestos Delta threats. These are the following:

• Hellenic Ornithological Society (Environmental non-profit organization for the protection of wild birds and their habitats).
• Greenpeace (An international non-profit organization that by its action highlights the most important environmental problems and promotes effective solutions for a green and peaceful future).
• Arcturus (Non-profit environmental organization dealing with the protection of wildlife and the natural environment).
• WWF Greece (Global environmental organization, active in more than 100 countries).

Other Stakeholders

A very important stakeholder of Nestos river delta area is the Public Electricity Corporation (https://www.dei.gr/el). Extensive water use for energy production takes place as the Public Electricity Corporation constructed and operates since 1996 the multipurpose dams of Thisavros and Platanovrisi.  

Finally, the Hotel Owners Association of Kavala Prefecture (https://www.kavala-hotels.gr/) as well as the Keramoti Port Αuthority (http://www.hcg.gr/node/9746) are stakeholders related to issues regarding the impact of coastal inundation and must be included in the analysis.

Table 1 & Table 2 summarize the related stakeholders of Nestos Delta included in stakeholder mapping of MEDAQCLIM project.

Table 1 Nestos Delta stakeholder mapping (Administrative Authorities).

Table 2 Nestos Delta stakeholder mapping (Fishery related stakeholders, Agriculture related stakeholders, Non-governmental organizations, Other Stakeholders).