What we know so far
The Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island together form one of the most biodiverse marine protected areas in the entire Adriatic and Ionian Sea. The combined park supports more than 300 fish species, Posidonia seagrass meadows that took thousands of years to form, deep submarine cave systems, and resident populations of common and bottlenose dolphins. Mediterranean monk seals — globally down to fewer than 1,000 individuals — use the peninsula's inaccessible sea caves as sheltering and pupping grounds. Conservation scientists describe the park as ecologically irreplaceable: a marine wilderness that has survived precisely because access has historically been restricted. Large-scale resort and infrastructure development on its coastline, scientists warn, would not only destroy key habitats directly but trigger permanent, cascading losses across the wider marine ecosystem.
Karaburun, Albania
Environmental organisations, public authorities, project actors and affected local communities named in source records.
2 linked evidence records are listed below.
The report is currently labelled Verified because it is supported by official documents or reliable source records listed on this page.
Full environmental assessments, monitoring reports, permits, maps and public consultation records.
This report documents currently available information about Karaburun, Albania. All documented material is kept separate from claims that still need checking. The page should be read together with the linked evidence records, official source documents and verification notes listed below.
The primary sources for this report include IUCN / PPNEA / Barcelona Convention SPAMI register / Karaburun-Sazan park management records. Each item listed in the evidence table below carries its own source attribution and verification status. Where official documents exist they are linked directly.
The current verification status is Verified. Save Albania assigns this label when available source documents, location evidence and independent confirmation are sufficient to support the report. The status will be updated as new evidence is submitted or becomes available through public records.
Readers are encouraged to submit additional documents, maps, photographs or source links using the form in the sidebar. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the evidence record. Nothing is published without a source check.
Evidence linked to this article
| Evidence | Type | Date | Status | Source | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resorti Turistik - Ishulli i Sazanit | Official strategic investor decision | 30/12/2024 | Verified | AIDA / Komiteti i Investimeve Strategjike | View open_in_new |
| Harta Vlore - protected areas map | Official protected-area map | 2022 | Verified | AKZM | View open_in_new |
Timeline
- Harta Vlore - protected areas map
Why it matters
Protected areas, coastal habitats and public land decisions affect biodiversity, communities and Albania's long-term natural heritage. Clear source links help journalists, NGOs, researchers and international readers check the record for themselves.
What is still missing
Full environmental assessments, monitoring reports, permits, maps and public consultation records.
