On Friday 23rd November a meeting was carried out by the Society for the Protection of Prespa, with the participation of 9 Protected Areas Management Bodies, Public Services and NGOs. The meeting was titled “Contribution in the management of mass infestations of waterbirds from infectious diseases in Prespa National Park” and was part of the LIFE15NAT/GR/000936 – Prespa Waterbirds Program.

The Management Body of the Evros Delta and Samothraki Protected Areas participated in the meeting, presenting its experience during the outbreak of the Avian Influenza in 2006 and also in a later project (2008 – 2010) about the disease.

Apart from the Avian Influenza, botulism is another disease that infects waterbirds in Greek wetlands, especially Koronia and Karla.

The Society for the Protection of Prespa, which is active 25 years in the lake and has implemented many successful management projects in the area, has published a very useful Action Plan in case of mass infestations of waterbirds from infectious diseases.