There are two, legally protected, marine parks in Greece: the National Marine Park of North Sporades (Alonnissos) and the Zakynthos Marine Park (1999). The surrounding sea of Skopelos and some of the further outlying islands have been made conservation areas, as they are breading grounds for the dwindling population of monk seals. Almost every morning, excursion boats leave Skopelos harbour for an organized trip within the Marine Park, where a rise in the population of dolphins has become easily visible.