Mid-January in the central Aegean.
It is very cold at sea today and even though we expect that the weather conditions will soon be very rough, the crew of “Naftilos” continue their large effort in the open sea, heading towards the central Aegean. Making best use of the increasing daylight, we try to survey as much as possible at sea.
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #mediterraneansea #marinelife #researchforconservation #saveourseas #marineconservation
Trying to comprehend these charismatic mammals, we often feel that observation is mutual.
For over 2 decades the research teams of Archipelagos Institute have been studying marine mammal populations in many areas of the Aegean. The analysis of their behaviour, their migration routes, but also of their communication, with the use of specialised equipment and software, provides important information so that we can substantially contribute to their conservation.
At a time when numerous dolphin populations are drastically declining, in the Mediterranean and around the world, their effective protection is imperative.
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #mediterraneansea #dolphinsighting #marinelife
#researchforconservation #saveourseas #marineconservation
Remaining at sea until New Year’s Eve, we continue our actions for the protection of the seas.
Our wish for the new year is that many (and not just few) are those who comprehend that protecting the environment is a responsibility we all share, affecting us all individually. Even more urgent is the protection of our seas, about which we have such large knowledge gaps, while at the same time our seas are the ultimate recipient of all the destruction and mismanagement we cause on land.
For those who are involved in environmental conservation, let it be a year of action and results, limiting the campaigns and resources spent on self-management. The need for real, tangible results in conservation has never been so imperative!
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece
#mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #marinelife #saveourseas #marineconservation
From all of us at Archipelagos, warm wishes for a happy 2022, with health, creativity and without the challenges of the previous years.
Our wish for the New Year is that we will all comprehend that the coexistence with the other beings with which we share our planet, is not a choice or a topic that concerns only few people, but a prerequisite for our survival.
Happy New Year!!!
Corals of the Aegean – 2022 Good Luck Charm
We would like to thank ilias LALAoUNIS who drew inspiration from corals of the Aegean for their 2022 Good Luck Charm, with which they are supporting Archipelagos’ action for the conservation of coralligenous habitats.
https://www.lalaounis.com/produc…/2022-good-luck-charm/…
In the depths of the Greek Seas, between 70 to 250 meters, lie the oldest, most complex and productive marine ecosystems: coralligenous habitats. Corals that survive here today may exceed the age of 7000 years. Today, human activity puts their survival at great risk.
“Protecting Aegean Coralligenous” is one of the key long-term marine conservation actions of Archipelagos Institute, aiming to halt the ongoing destruction of these pristine habitats.
https://archipelago.gr/en/coralligene-conservation
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece
#mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #marinelife #saveourseas #marineconservation #aegeansea #coralligene #coralligenous #marineconservation #marinescience #LALAoUNIS
We are proud to announce the start of a new partnership between the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary and French organisation, C'est Assez !
C'est Assez ! addresses all matters concerning animal welfare and works to defend the lives of captive cetaceans including dolphins, belugas and orcas. This organisation fights against their exploitation, massacre and detention and although current efforts are focused in France, they are looking to make changes internationally.
On November 30th, France passed a bill that will ban captivity in France within the next five years and the cessation of the reproduction of captive cetaceans. These measures could never have been implemented without the work of organisations such as C’est Assez !
Created in 2014 by Christine Grandjean, C’est Assez ! was a pioneer in addressing matters of cetacean welfare in France and has been raising awareness about life conditions of captive dolphins and orcas ever since.
Changes to legislation, such as those in France, highlight the need for more marine sanctuaries to be developed. Most of the marine mammals that are captive in dolphinariums have never experienced life in the ocean. This is the very reason for Archipelagos’ Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary and C’est Assez joining forces! Together, we can create a safe haven for dolphins displaced from marine parks within Europe.
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece
#mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #marinelife #saveourseas #marineconservation
Good afternoon! We are sharing with you a winter image of Archipelagos Institute Research Base on Samos with the Strait of Mycale and the coast of Turkey showing in the background.
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece
#mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #marinelife #saveourseas #marineconservation
Welcome to #InfoFriday! Today learn more about the Atlantic bobtail squid, a tiny master of camouflage!
Our seas are home to many impressive species, many of which are unknown to most. One of these is the Atlantic bobtail squid (Sepiola atlantica), which is also frequents the Mediterranean Sea, while it is often being recorded in the coastal waters of the Aegean by the researchers of Archipelagos Institute. It ranks among the smallest cephalopods species since its length does not exceed 5cm.
This squid lives in a symbiotic relationship with the bioluminescent bacteria inhabiting its organs. It utilises those bacteria in order to mimic the moonlight, thus concealing its figure from predators.
It hunts during the night, while in daytime it remains buried under the sand. It emerges from its hiding place when disturbed, but remains covered under a coat of sand. If exposed, it escapes by squirting a cloud of ink resembling its figure.
#wearearchipelagos #archipelagos #savethaegean #greece #lipsi #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #aegeansea #sustainability #savetheocean #saveourseas #researchforconservation #marineconservation #marinescience #conservation #marinelife #squid #bobtailsquid #UnderwaterWorld #underwaterlife #underwaterpics
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Wishes alone are not able to change everything so each of us can show solidarity by offering (even a small amount) to those that are in need.
Archipelagos Institute supports the amazing and continuous efforts of the Social Kitchen "The Other Human" which, over 10 years, have offered 15 million portions of food to those who are in direct need.
We invite you to also support this important initiative by offering even one portion of food to those that need it this holiday season.
You can donate to the Social Kitchen "The Other Human" with their donation to the following accounts:
PayPal Account: https://www.paypal.me/oallosanthropos
ACCOUNT NUMBER NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE
IBAN GR7801100840000008460940235 PANAGOULA M. POLYCHRONOPOULOU
SWIFT / BIC: ETHNGRAA
Welcome to #WhatsupWednesday, today we will talk about the ECOMARINE project!
International cooperation between scientific bodies fuels conservation efforts around the world.
An example of this is the Eco-Marine project: 4 new laboratories in Malaysia and India are in process of being equipped to monitor the effects of climate change and to assess the extent of plastic pollution in important areas of the Indian Ocean.
This important research conservation endeavour is in progress by the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, in collaboration with the University Of Cyprus, the University of Oviedo in Spain, the Universities of Terengganu and Kebangsaan in Malaysia, as well as the University Andhra and the SAL Institute of Technology and Engineering Research of India.
For the past 15 years the Archipelagos Institute has acquired expertise and specialization in the creation and operation of field laboratories. Archipelagos has also developed protocols and technical equipment of low cost and high scientific value. Bringing all this knowledge and experience to action, the Institute has undertaken the training of scientists and researchers from India and Malaysia who will take over the operation of the laboratories.
The cooperation of the above institutions aims at the long-term monitoring of important marine areas, and the understanding of how marine ecosystems are changing due to anthropogenic pressure and climate change.
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #aegeansea #aegean #greece #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #marinescience #marinebiology #marineconservation #researchforconservation #oceanscience #savetheocean #saveourseas
It’s #ProjectMonday!
Snorkelling during the day is a common way to explore the marine environment, but have you ever wondered what happens at night?
Most marine macro-invertebrates are nocturnal species that hunt and graze at night. One of our research projects aims to assess the changes to abundance of these species during the day and at night on the Greek Island of Lipsi.
During the day, we see an average of 50 invertebrate species on a single survey. At night, we normally observe over 80 species! Around 30 of them are mobile species, such as octopus, shrimps, sea stars and crabs.
Marine invertebrates are essential for maintaining healthy coastal habitats. During the summer season, many of these sites are disturbed by anthropogenic influences, mainly due to pleasure boat activity and tourism. Annual and seasonal monitoring in such impacted areas provides us with a better understanding of anthropogenic impacts on invertebrate communities.
Learn more in our story!
#wearearchipelagos #archipelagos #savethaegean #greece #lipsi #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #aegeansea #sustainability #savetheocean #saveourseas #researchforconservation #marineconservation #marinescience #conservation #marinelife
Did you know that on numerous beaches of the Aegean Sea islands there is occasional nesting of loggerhead and green turtles?
On these beaches there are only a few nests every year or even just every few years. Once they hatch these tiny turtles they are in a race for survival!
However, only 1 in 1000 sea turtle hatchlings reach adulthood, due to the large range of threats they face both on land and in our seas. This includes natural mortality from predators such as seabirds and fish, but pollution and mainly the alarming levels of plastic debris at sea are major factors that put the future survival of sea turtles at great risk.
If these hatchlings do manage to survive, they will take 20-30 years to reach reproductive maturity. Then they will then return to the exact same area where they hatched, to breed and/or lay eggs of their own.
The Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is dedicated to defending the biodiversity of the Aegean Sea and the NE Mediterranean from increasing human threats facing marine life such as these sea turtles.
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#greece
#mediterraneansea
#mediterranean
#oceanscience
#archipelagos
#wearearchipelagos
#savetheaegean
#turtlenest
#seaturtles
#reptilia
#marinebiodiversity
#marineconservation
#environmentaleducation
With stormy winds in the Aegean and really difficult conditions, even in the safety of the port, we left the real inhabitants of our seas behind in the open waters.
This photo is from a recent sighting of Risso’s dolphins north of Ikaria island, monitored by Archipelagos' researchers on board “Naftilos”.
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#dolphins #wilddolphins #dolphinsighting
#greece
#ikaria
#mediterraneansea
#mediterranean
#oceanscience
#archipelagos
#wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean
Welcome to #InfoFriday!
As you are looking around the rocky shoreline hoping to find intriguing marine wildlife, you may be startled by a face staring at you with its mouth wide open showing a row of pointed teeth : a moray eel.
Most moray eels have sharp teeth to catch fish, octopus, squids and occasional crustaceans and carcasses. These intimidating predators have a unique feature, their two sets of jaws : an oral jaw to catch prey and a pharyngeal jaw used to pull prey down the eel’s throat.
Moray eels are primarily ambush predators, meaning they lunge at preys that pass by their home. They constantly open and close their mouths, to force water into their gills in order to breathe.
Moray eels are ecologically important, as they top predators in marine ecosystems, meaning they help regulate the population of other animals. They themselves are a significant source of food for fish, mammals and birds.
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#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #aegeansea #mediterranean #mediterraneansea #greece #researchforconservation #marinelife #savetheocean #saveourseas #marineconservation #moray #morayeel
It’s #WhatsupWednesday!
Today we want to introduce the new instagram account from our marine mammal team of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation. Onboard Naftilos, one of our research vessels, the team surveys weekly and posts about their observations 🐬🐳🦭
Marine mammal research and conservation has been a key area of focus for Archipelagos since its establishment. Our work aims to fill important knowledge gaps on the population distribution of marine mammals and understand the critical factors that impact the survival of these charismatic protected species.
Make sure to follow the team and discover some of the most important remaining marine mammal and sea turtle populations in the Mediterranean Sea!
👉 Follow the team @archipelagos_marinemammals
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #aegeansea #aegean #samos #greece #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #dolphins #wilddolphins #dolphinsighting #marinescience #marinebiology #marineconservation #researchforconservation #oceanscience #savetheocean #saveourseas
Did you know that when hunting in the water, little egrets can spread their wings to create shade on the surface and get a better view of their prey?
Almost hunted to extinction in the 19th century for their plumes, egrets were the reason behind some of the first laws to protect birds.
These beautiful birds are one of the many species that can be observed around the small wetlands of the Aegean islands – if you are lucky enough to spot them!
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #mediterranean
#researchforconservation #terrestrialconservation #littleegrets #birds #wetlands
Welcome to #ProjectMonday! Follow the progress of the law and policy team.
The Aegean Sea is full of natural wonders and among them, the coralligenous habitats. These habitats provide important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration while they also ensure the productivity of important fish stocks. However, these essential habitats are endangered by a widespread fishing method: bottom trawling which, according to the existing legislation, should be prohibited over these fragile habitats.
Bottom trawlers drag over the seafloor large nets and heavy metal surfaces which are used to keep the nets open, causing irreversible damage to these vulnerable ecosystems. Coralligenous habitats in the Aegean Sea can exceed 7000 years old, but without immediate action, they will be lost forever.
The work of Archipelagos’ Law & Policy team is to safeguard these coralligenous habitats by promoting the enforcement of existing legislation for their protection. This is a key target of our conservation work, promoting the definition of no trawl zones at both Greek and EU levels, aiming to halt the destruction of these fragile habitats.
#wearearchipelagos #archipelagos #savethaegean #greece #meditteraneansea #meditteranean #aegeansea #sustainability #savetheocean #saveourseas #researchforconservation #illegalfishing
Even though the weather conditions are getting harsher, the Archipelagos team uses every opportunity to continue monitoring marine ecosystems.
The whole team wishes you a good weekend!
#Archipelagos #WeAreArchipelagos #SaveTheAegean #StandForOceans #oceans #researchforconservation #oceanscience #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #saveourseas #savetheocean
The Mediterranean population of Striped dolphin has been listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN red list due to the extensive threats they face, mainly because of overfishing and pollution. Archipelagos has been monitoring the population of this beautiful species in the Greece Seas, urging towards its protection and long-term conservation!
Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) get their name from the distinct pattern of grey and white stripes they display on the side of their body. Extremely social, we frequently monitor them in pods of 100-250 individuals in the easter Aegean. This species is particularly acrobatic and can often be seen leaping up to 6m above the surface!
#Archipelagos #WeAreArchipelagos #SaveTheAegean #StandForOceans #oceansresearchforconservation #oceansience #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #saveourseas #savetheocean #greece #lipsi #nature
Welcome to #WhatsupWednesday!
Due to the incredible biodiversity surrounding the Aegean islands, it was impossible for Archipelagos to not extend its field of action in terrestrial conservation as well.
Archipelagos conservation efforts aim to protect island fauna, flora and their habitats focusing on rare species that face imminent threats.
Our current focus is on monitoring populations of Golden jackals, of Greater Flamingos and of the Mediterranean Chameleon.
It is important to realize that the Aegean islands have been isolated ecosystems for centuries, which makes their biodiversity particularly vulnerable. Our research aims to ensure their conservation in the long term.
Follow our story and learn more about these special species!
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #samos #greece #mediterranean
#researchforconservation #terrestrialconservation #reptilia #birds #fauna #chameleons #chameleon #reptile #jackals #jackal #flamingos
