Greece's plans to drill for energy in the sea south of Crete would endanger whales, the environmentalist group Greenpeace said, trying to stir the public to oppose the idea.

The group said it would carry out an operation there but didn't indicate what it would be, concentrated in the two blocks designated for the research hunt by the New Democracy Conservative government.

The organization is mainly concerned about the impact of drilling on sperm whales and Cuvier’s beaked whales, said Kathimerini in a report.

“The pollution produced by sea drilling operations at great depths, like those due to take place in this particular area west and south of Crete, but also a likely accident, would have a devastating impact on this sensitive ecosystem and on the mammals of the Mediterranean,” the Greek branch said in a statement. 

Kostis Grimanis,  responsible for climate justice at Greenpeace Greece, said that drilling plans are “inconsistent with announcements by the Prime Minister and the government for a real green recovery, and with dealing with the destabilization of the climate and the rapid rate of biodiversity loss.”

Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he wants to add more sustainable energy sources but his government also wants drilling for energy as Greece still relies mainly on fossil fuels for sources to create electricity and other uses.