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Toxic Pollution
and Marine Litter

Overview

One of the main efforts of Archipelagos has been the establishment of the first non-governmental, non-profit, independent laboratory in Greece. The Archipelagos laboratory facilitates studies which detect and analyze potential sources of pollution harmful for marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Such contamination can also damage the health of people who live on the islands and in the coastal regions of the eastern Mediterranean.

Whether it is industrial pig farms discarding waste in the sea or major threats such as the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons in the Mediterranean, Archipelagos combines action through media involvement, political lobbying and laboratory analysis to prevent or halt these environmental crimes.

Marine litter, predominantly plastic, is an ever-increasing problem to the world’s oceans. A shameful report has recently been released, estimating that plastics in the ocean will outweigh fish by 2050. Plastic has become almost indispensable in our daily life. However, when it is improperly disposed of and ends up in the oceans, it poses a serious threat to all marine species. The five most prevalent plastic items are shopping bags, bottle caps, packaging material, cups, tableware and bottles.

Over the last 15 years, Archipelagos has recorded numerous incidents in various regions of the Aegean Sea, investigating marine mammals and turtles dying due to the ingestion of plastic debris.

Latest News

Another foretold ship wreck north of Mykonos…

The grounding of the cargo ship Little Seyma off the coast of Mykonos island, two days before Christmas was merely small news for the Greek media, without causing particular interest or concern. The Turkish owned bulk carrier flying the Panamanian flag (one of the so-called convenience flags-meaning with inadequate safety standards), was thankfully carrying flour.

Provocative Incidents of Illegal Fishing by Turkish Trawlers in Greek Territorial Sea

During the last weeks, the incidents of illegal fishing by Turkish trawlers in Greek territorial waters of the East Aegean, mainly in the area between Samos and Agathonisi, have been increasing. Knowing the gaps in control due to fatigue and the heavy burden attributable to local port authorities – due to the increase in refugee

Golden Jackal Crisis

Within one week, 4 jackals of the species Canis aureus were found dead and 1 young was found injured on the island of Samos. It has to be noted that Samos is the only island of the Mediterranean which supports a population of the Golden Jackal. The reason for which these mammals are becoming so

Deceased Dolphin in the Aegean: Plastics to Blame

Another unlucky bottlenose dolphin found dead in Samos island last weekend. The Archipelagos team was able to locate the stranded dolphin with the help of local fishermen. According to researchers at Archipelagos, it was an adult male bottlenose dolphin with a length of three meters. From the autopsy carried out on the spot we could

Archipelagos at the International Meeting for marine litter in Brussels

Archipelagos participated in the meeting organized by the European association of non-governmental environmental organisations “Seas at Risk” on November 4th. The meeting, held at the European Parliament in Brussels, was entitled: “Making the link: marine litter and the circular economy”. Archipelagos, which is a member of the “Seas at Risk”, was represented in the meeting

Brief Update: At Sea Destruction of Syria’s Chemical Weapons in the Mediterranean

Last Friday we received another response from the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, about the forthcoming onboard Destruction of Syria’s Chemical Weapons. The answer comes as a result of the joint statement sent to the EU by Archipelagos, which was co-signed by dozens of specialized scientists and institutions from 14 countries, about

Chemical Weapons Destruction – Threat of Toxic Pollution in the Mediterranean

Chemical Weapons Destruction – Threat of Toxic Pollution in the Mediterranean.   The at-sea destruction process of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal in the “Ionian Abyssal Plain” between Crete and Sicily is fast approaching. Following Archipelago’s latest press release on this issue (04.04.2014), we now give you an update based on our communication with the Organization

Latest News Regarding the Destruction of Chemical Weapons in the Mediterranean

Archipelagos, Institute of Marine Conservation, is currently in communication with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) with respect to the planned at-sea destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, which is due to take place in the waters found between Crete and Sicily. We will be attending an inspection of the ship MV

Joint Statement – Archipelagos Initiative on Syrian Weapons

Two more days left to join! > See the Joint Statement with signatories here and below Dear colleagues, We believe you are aware of the major imminent threat to the Mediterranean Sea, caused by the planned destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons stockpile between Crete and Sicily, which may begin any day now. In an
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