Documented Environmental Crime in the Tanos Riverbed (Eastern Peloponnese)
Documented Environmental Crime in the Tanos Riverbed (eastern Peloponnese), raises urgent concerns about illegal dumping and severe ecosystem degradation At a time when hundreds of millions of euros are being poured into “marine conservation” from national and EU funds, and bold nature-protection initiatives are being proclaimed, the reality in Greece, regrettably, still resembles that of […]
Local Ecological Knowledge Fourni
On Saturday in Fourni island, our crew dedicated the day to Local Ecological Knowledge and to results that can be achieved through long-term sincere collaboration founded on genuine respect for each place and its people. Local Ecological Knowledge, the accumulated experiential knowledge that local communities hold about their natural environment,was only relatively recently described by […]
Microplastics in Greek Seas: Fifteen Years of Rising Pollution and a Crisis That Is Getting Worse by the Day
From our field laboratories and aboard the research vessels Triton and Aegean Explorer, we have been recording the levels of plastic and microplastic pollution in Greek seas for 15 years. What we must share with you is that the presence of microplastic fibers and plastic fragments in the samples we collect and analyze has skyrocketed […]
Autumn in the Aegean
Autumn has arrived in the Aegean Sea, bringing heavy rains and a sharp drop in temperature. Our vessel Triton is being prepared for the harsher months ahead. Our mission: not to miss a single day at sea. In this demanding journey, every bit of support moral and material is invaluable.
Mass stranding of at least four Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris)
Mass stranding of at least four Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) was recorded yesterday in southeastern Crete. The four cetaceans stranded almost simultaneously on neighboring shores. Another whale was found stranded alive, and was guided back into the sea–its fate still remains unknown. It is, however, highly likely that more beaked whales have died in […]
Mahi Mahi: An Essential Natural Predator in the Fight Against Invasive Species in the Greek Seas
Mahi mahi – one more invaluable resident of our seas. It is a particularly important species in our waters, as it preys on young silver-cheeked toadfish – one of the most problematic invasive species that are spreading at an alarming rate in the Greek seas. It is therefore crucial to recognize that the overfishing of […]
Caretta Caretta and the Posidonia Meadows: A Fragile Coexistence in the Northern Aegean
Our daily companions in the depths of the northern Aegean… For about forty days now, we have been coexisting with this particular loggerhead sea turtle. We always encounter her in Posidonia seagrass meadows, reminding us how vital these forests of the sea are—not only for marine animals, but also for us humans. In these meadows, […]
Young Sperm Whale Washed Ashore Dead in Samos
A young sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), approximately four meters long and weighing around one ton, washed ashore dead along the northern coast of Samos. Throughout most of the year, this area of the Aegean Sea is one of the most important migratory routes for these giants of our seas. Unfortunately, it is not the first […]
Plastic Pollution in the Aegean
An image of the Aegean in August In waters where humans have exchanged ideas, culture and goods for thousands of years, we are now exchanging plastic waste. It’s rare to find a place where plastic isn’t visible – floating on crystal-blue waters, scattered along shores, or polluting roadsides. But the problem isn’t simply aesthetic. The […]
Triton in Peloponisos
Leaving behind the welcoming port of Astros Kynourias, in the Argolic Gulf, the crew of “Triton” heads south, sailing along the coast of the Peloponnese, before setting an eastward course. Throughout this research trip, we continue to document the problems affecting the coastal zone – where human impact is becoming increasingly intense, stemming from a […]
