About us

Who we are

About us:
Who we are
Where we focus
How we work
See also

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to researching and defending the biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands, as well as the NE Mediterranean overall.

Since 1998, Archipelagos has focused on a combination of multidisciplinary scientific research and efficient conservation work in which local communities play an active part. This cooperation creates a strategic foundation that enables and strengthens the activities of Archipelagos at the local, national and European level, allowing us to protect aquatic and terrestrial life against ever-increasing human factors.

We Use Our Scientific Knowledge to:

Cooperate with local communities and authorities to develop and apply pilot management and conservation projects aimed at protecting habitats and species of the Aegean Sea. These projects can later be applied to other parts of Greece and the northeastern Mediterranean.

Work directly to stop destructive human behavior, such as illegal fishing practices, explosions at sea, waste dumping, maritime pollution, erosive overgrazing and other threats to biodiversity.

Launch environmental actions and awareness campaigns at local, national and EU levels through the use of social media, video, animation and printed media in order to inform the public on how to better preserve and actively protect its natural resources.

Where we focus

Marine wildlife conservation

Marine mammals, with a focus on cetacean populations distribution, identification of resident species and bioacoustic studies. Monitoring of coastal ecosystems: endangered habitats and species, non-indigenous species. Studies of water quality and pollution assessments using chemical parameters and bio-indicators species. Fisheries, oceanographic research and shipping disaster prevention.

Terrestrial wildlife conservation

Island fauna, with a particular focus on endangered species such as chameleons, jackals, bats and birds. Island flora, focusing on the rare island forests and freshwater habitats. The continued development of the Aegean Seed Bank (preservation of rapidly disappearing local varieties of agricultural plants), pollution and human impact assessments, and the management of priority habitats.

How we work

Archipelagos operates far from city centers and commercial interests, offering a pure, direct approach to environmental conservation.

Our research team works in the field throughout the year, directly in the environments we strive to protect. Despite adverse weather conditions that can occur, especially in the winter months, our team’s enthusiasm and commitment has enabled us to conduct valuable research and achieve conservation actions in defense of the environment.

We carry out multi-faceted conservation work involving a combination of research expeditions, field surveys and laboratory work while in close collaboration with local communities, national and EU policy makers and the wider media.

"Our goal is a truly efficient and effective approach to the environmental protection"

Archipelagos Institute