Naftilos
In the final days of the year, under winter conditions, the crew of the “Naftilos” is traveling in the waters of the Northern Dodecanese, with a brief stop for resupply on Leros. Our daily work continues with surveys of marine mammal populations, oceanographic measurements, and assessments of marine pollution. During the holiday period, although most […]
Every marine mammal has its own “identity”
For more than 25 years, the marine mammal researchers of the Archipelagos Institute have been working at sea throughout the year, collecting – among other data – hundreds of photographs of the cetaceans we document during each expedition. Through photo-identification, we recognize individual animals based on their unique markings. These markings result from interactions with […]
Sperm whale
November in the Aegean, and the crew of Triton is monitoring a large male sperm whale at the moment it begins an impressive dive, descending to about 850 meters, in the area of the Ikaria trench. A few interesting facts about sperm whales, the giants of our seas. After 20-30 million years of evolution, sperm […]
Dead Mediterranean monk seal
An adult male Mediterranean monk seal was found dead in the waters south of Samos Island, having likely drifted from a more southern part of the Aegean due to the strong southerly winds that prevailed over the past ten days. It was discovered by local residents, who notified the Archipelagos Institute, whose researchers arrived on […]
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 […]
The crew of Triton continues its route
The crew of Triton continues its route in the northern Dodecanese, to Arki, Marathi, and the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary in Lipsi. During our stop in Marathi, a small island of the Arki complex, we focused on maintenance work at the Archipelagos research station that has been operating since 2002. As this research station is […]
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale above the Ikaria Sea Trench
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale above the Ikaria Sea Trench The Cuvier’s beaked whale is a truly enigmatic marine mammal. It is one of the least studied cetacean species worldwide, and at the same time one of the most difficult to research, as it systematically avoids contact with boats or humans. Remarkably, unlike the other six species […]
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 […]
Risso’s Dolphin monitoring
Risso’s Dolphin: a charismatic species that we have been monitoring for the past few days over the Ikaria Trench — a remarkable underwater canyon reaching depths of up to 1,400 meters. Relatively unknown to the general public, the Risso’s dolphin is the largest dolphin species found in Greek waters, reaching up to 4 meters in […]
Two sperm whales begin a deep dive above the Ikaria Trench
Sperm whales – the giants of our seas. They are some of the most impressive marine mammals we have recorded in recent days with the crew of Triton. They are the largest toothed whales on the planet, weighing up to 50 tonnes and reaching lengths of 16–18 meters. This deep and steep underwater canyon, which […]
