Fields of Action
Though this year's May has continued with many days of clouds and rain, the Archipelagos team is sure to not miss a day of action in the field, working for the protection of our seas. 🐬💙
#archipelago #archipelagogr #marinemammal #marineconservation #wearearchipelagos #greece #aegean #saveourseas
⚠ A mutilated striped dolphin found stranded on the north shores of Samos this week. The young dolphin had a severed tail and a sharp piercing wound – evidence of its deliberate killing.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have observed this type of incident in the area. As this particular location is one where persistent activity is carried out by large industrial fishing vessels, primarily Greek and Turkish bottom-trawlers, the injuries to this individual raise great concern.
Researchers from the Archipelagos Institute are working to use electronic transmission broadcasted by fishing vessels to assess vessel transit in the area for the days prior to the killing.
#archipelagos #archipelagogr #marineconservation #marineresearch #marinemammals #savetheaegean #cetacean #bottlenose
In recent weeks, across beaches along the coasts in the Aegean Sea, we have observed a very rare phenomenon that occurs only every 5-10 years 🤩. Large volumes of Posidonia oceanica fruits are being released following the flowering we recorded last autumn.
🌱P. oceanica are aquatic plants who’s flowers bear fruits containing its seeds.
Given the uniqueness of P. oceanica fruiting, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation has begun a protocol to carry out experimental planting. Through this endeavor, our team aims to actively contribute to reversing destruction of these valuable underwater forests.
#Archipelagos #archipelagosgr #marineconservation #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #saveourseas #marinescience #protectthemed #aegeansea #seagrass #posidonia
The best kept secret of the Mediterranean🪸
Coralligenous reefs are sensitive habitats prone to irreversible destruction by anthropogenic activities, primarily bottom trawling. The lack of enforcement on existing legislation for protected habitat conservation puts the survival of these highly diverse and ecologically important ecosystems at risk. This is an unfortunate occurrence that is impacting not only the Aegean Sea, but the entire Mediterranean.
#archipelagos #archipelagosgr #savetheaegean #marineconservation #coralligenous #reefs #aegean
The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) overwinters in the small salt marshes of the Aegean islands in Greece. 🦩
🔎 The Archipelagos Institute's terrestrial research team works to assess population density and abundance as well as monitor environmental threats within greater flamingo populations on the small island wetlands.
Primarily due to their size, the greater flamingo have no natural predators in these islands. However, human disturbance poses numerous threats to the species, impacting migration, reproduction and habitat quality.
⚠️Greatest threats to greater flamingo populations include bacteria, toxins and pollution in water supplies.
📌Archipelagos partners with local communities on the Aegean Sea islands in order to protect Greece's waterbirds and ensure their long-term survival. It is vital that we act quickly to implement efficient conservation action for these species and their surrounding habitats in order to ensure their future.
#greaterflamingo #flamigos #Archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #researchforconservation #island #terrestrialspecies #exploregreece #conservation
🌊 🌍 The 34th International Conference of the European Cetacean Society is currently taking place in Galicia, Spain, with the participation of 600 expert scientists from all over the world. With the main theme "Our Oceans, Our Future", the conference highlights the urgent need to protect marine mammal populations.
🐋 The Archipelagos Institute researchers, Beatriz Tintoré, Maurizio Ingrosso and Dr Guido Pietroluongo attend, presenting two scientific posters regarding populations of Sperm whales, Cuvier’s beaked whales, and Short-beaked common dolphins, in the Aegean Sea, based on the results of studies conducted between 2017 and 2022.
🐬 This research provides important results from the ongoing studies of cetacean populations in the Aegean Sea, carried out by the Archipelagos marine mammal team. The efforts accomplished by our researchers as well as all participants of the conference contribute an essential part in the effective protection of oceans worldwide.
#archipelagos #ecs #marinemammal #marineresearch #savetheaegean #wearearchipelagos #marineconservation #conservetheaegean #greece #mediterranean
Another important research expedition in the eastern Aegean for the Archipelagos Institute ⛵
🐋 Over the past two days, the Archipelagos team have been at sea, watching and recording the migration of 2 male sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus).
🐬 In addition to these sightings, the team was able to record 5 dolphin groups, including that of Bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and Common (Delphinus delphis) dolphins.
The eastern Aegean region is undeniably an area of international importance for marine mammals. For this reason and for over 23 years, the Archipelago Institute has conducted year round field research with an aim to advise and carry out effective conservation action.
#archipelagos #aegeansea #marineconservation #savetheaegean #marinemammals #spermwhale #bottlenosedolphin #commondolphin #research #weararchipelagos #researchforconservation #greece #mediterranean #sea
Coralligenous reefs of the Aegean Sea🪸
In the depths of the Greek Seas, between 70 to 250 meters, lie the oldest, most productive marine ecosystems: coralligenous habitats. Corals that survive here today may exceed the age of 7000 years. Despite their importance, they are continuously threatened to be destroyed before we can even fully understand the extent of their complexity.
#archipelagos #savetheaegean #marineconservation #coralligenous #reefs #aegean
The Risso’s Dolphin, one of the least studied and relatively unknown dolphin species that are found in the NE Mediterranean. 🐬
🔎 The Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation has been monitoring Risso’s dolphins in the Aegean Sea since the autumn of 2000. This monitoring is a prerequisite in bridging important knowledge gaps necessary for their effective conservation. Risso’s dolphin populations are facing increasing risks due to anthropogenic threats.
🎣 Overfishing and pollution are the primary contributors posing harm to these individuals, both directly and through destruction of their ecosystems.
📌It is vital that we act quickly to implement efficient conservation action for the cetacean species of the NE Mediterranean and their surrounding habitats in order to ensure their presence in the future of our seas.
#grampusgriseus #WeAreArchipelagos #SaveTheAegean #Archipelagos #dolphin #cetaceans #AegeanSea #island #ocean #exploregreece #greece #rissos #marineconservation #marinelife #saveourseas
Protecting seagrass meadows is one of the most effective means to mitigating the impacts of climate change worldwide. Despite this, Posidonia is constantly threatened by anthropogenic activity such as unregulated anchorage, destructive fishing practices, intensive aquaculture and more. On average, seagrass habitats are facing an alarming decline of 7% annually. Their conservation has been an important target of Archipelagos’ actions for over 20 years with research aiming to bridge knowledge gaps related to these essential habitats.
#Archipelagos #bluecarbon #marineconservation #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece
#mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #saveourseas #carbonsequestration #marinescience #climatechange #protectthemed #oceans #aegeansea #seagrass
🔎 Archipelagos observes marine life and its threats daily 🐠
Each female barracuda, such as those shown above, can release up to 300.000 eggs in the water. Therefore, each time we catch a fish during the reproduction period, we strip the sea of hundreds of thousands of eggs and larvae. 🐟
⚠️We must emphasize once more that disrupting fish reproduction is not only destructive for marine life, but for humans who depend on the sea for nutrition.
📌In Greece, the legal framework remains deficient, resulting in each of us needing to take a personal responsibility. Both professional and recreational fishermen from all over the coastal regions of Greece must eliminate fish catch during reproductive periods. 🎣
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #saveourseas #marineconservation
Join us for an internship on Marine Mammal Research and Conservation in the Aegean Sea, Greece! 🌍 🌊
As one of our most popular programs, the marine mammal research internship equips all participants with hands-on experience in boat-based surveys and aids to develop skills in desired fields.
Few spots are still available for July onwards, apply here to make the most of your summer while contributing to Archipelagos' conservation efforts! 🙌 (Link available in bio)
