Marine Mammal Research & Conservation

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Marine Mammal Research & Conservation

Background

The Aegean Sea is one of most important marine biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean, supporting key populations of cetaceans (dolphins and whales), Mediterranean monk seals and sea turtles. Archipelagos’ Marine Mammal Research Team uses the equipped sailing boats “Pinelopi” and “Naftilos”, as well as the research boat “Aegean Explorer” and the speed boat “Asterias” to monitor the regional status of marine mammal and sea turtle populations and their habitats in the Aegean, an area where data relating to these species is largely deficient. During day-long or multi-day research trips, the team gathers data on species populations and their respective threats, identifying critical habitats, and quantifies human and environmental impacts to fill these knowledge gaps.

Marine mammal team

The marine mammal team monitors the habitat use, abundance and distribution of cetaceans, as well as Mediterranean monk seals and sea turtles in various regions of the Greek seas. This is done by studying population structures, group dynamics, and behavior via visual and acoustic data collected on board one of our three research vessels with specialized equipment. The team also investigates the impact of major threats, such as fishing and tourism and plastic debris, on cetacean behavior. The target of our research is the implementation of efficient conservation measures and management policies. This internship will provide interns with valuable skill sets in data collection and equipment use, as well as data analysis and report writing. These skills set the foundation for a professional career in marine mammal research, marine conservation and environmental management.

Examples of recent internship projects

  • Conducting boat-based surveys to collect data on cetacean abundance, distribution and behaviour.
  • Assessing the populations of resident, transient and seasonal cetaceans through photo-ID, and creation of a catalogue of individual cetaceans in the Aegean.
  • Assessment of cetacean vocalizations through the use of a hydrophone array system and specialized software.
  • Analysis of cetacean behaviour to determine seasonal variation in activity, differences in behaviour between species, and group composition
  • Examining interactions with fisheries and maritime traffic, as well as the effects caused by overfishing and various forms of pollution: plastic, chemical and noise pollution.
  • Monitoring and protecting the remaining populations of the highly endangered Mediterranean Monk seal, in close collaboration with local communities.
  • Monitoring of environmental parameters such as sea surface temperature, salinity, pH, and concentration of dissolved oxygen.

Your role

This internship program is available for students, graduates and researchers of marine, ecological and environmental sciences and/or veterinary medicine. Applicants must be able to work both independently and as part of a dynamic, multicultural, multidisciplinary team. During multi-day expeditions, the research team lives on the boat, so applicants must be able to live in tight quarters for several days at a time.

Technical skills

• Working towards or completion of a marine related scientific degree
• Accurate data entry
• Knowledge in the application of statistics, with some experience in a programming language such as R or Python.
• Good knowledge of the marine environment
• Experience with scientific surveying

Other skills

• Fluency in English
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Motivation to live in remote places with simple facilities
• Sincere desire to work towards Archipelagos’ conservation efforts

What we offer

We offer an internship at an inspiring institute with experts on coastal conservation. You have the opportunity to collect data for writing a thesis, scientific publications or increasing your skillset within the marine conservation sector. Internships range from 3 - 12 months, although shorter or longer internship periods may be arranged to cover the needs of groups or individuals. As Archipelagos is a non-profit research institute, the internships we offer are unpaid. The experience requires an internship weekly fee of 225 - 270 euros to cover living and research expenses (e.g. housing, 3 meals a day, public liability insurance and other research facilities). Students and recent graduates and researchers are advised to search for possible funding through their universities, by getting in touch with the International Office/ Placement/ Erasmus+ Offices at their Universities or other relevant grant providing organizations in their region.

Procedure

To apply for this internship, please send an email to our admissions team outlining your program of interest and requesting an application form - [email protected] We will get back to you within 2 working days.

We are on Instagram
Marine Conservation online education with a primary school from Sidirokastro, Serres 
This week, the Archipelagos Institute offered free environmental education classes (in-person and online) to schools across Greece and the world. The children of Sidirokastro Primary School expressed their love for the marine environment and their concerns about its future. Although they live far from the sea, they already understand the importance of these waters to their country and are eager to protect them. 
It is essential that children are offered the opportunity to expand their knowledge and gain the skills necessary to protect their environments. Despite this, there is an absence of environmental education classes in the curriculum of Greek schools.
#environmentaleducation #raisingawareness #conservationeducation #marineconservation

Marine Conservation online education with a primary school from Sidirokastro, Serres

This week, the Archipelagos Institute offered free environmental education classes (in-person and online) to schools across Greece and the world. The children of Sidirokastro Primary School expressed their love for the marine environment and their concerns about its future. Although they live far from the sea, they already understand the importance of these waters to their country and are eager to protect them.

It is essential that children are offered the opportunity to expand their knowledge and gain the skills necessary to protect their environments. Despite this, there is an absence of environmental education classes in the curriculum of Greek schools.

#environmentaleducation #raisingawareness #conservationeducation #marineconservation
...

🍃An image of spring from beneath the ocean's surface. 
Let it remind us once again that in order to sustain the ability of our seas to provide us with food, it is imperative that we manage marine resources. 
🌊It is ever more urgent to realize that our seas can no longer persist being the ultimate recipient of destruction.
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece 
#mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #saveourseas #marineconservation

🍃An image of spring from beneath the ocean's surface.

Let it remind us once again that in order to sustain the ability of our seas to provide us with food, it is imperative that we manage marine resources.

🌊It is ever more urgent to realize that our seas can no longer persist being the ultimate recipient of destruction.

#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece
#mediterranean #marinelife #researchforconservation #saveourseas #marineconservation
...

🪸Squid eggs on an experimental artificial reef!🪸
Archipelagos’s marine ecology research team monitors almost daily our experimental artificial reefs.
They are made exclusively of natural and biodegradable materials and are environmentally-safe. 
The deposition of squid eggs and the intense colonisation by various fish species is promising, in seas that are being destroyed by human activity.
#biodiversityconservation #aegeansea #marineconservation #protectbiodiversity #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #oceanconservation #marinescience #marinebiodiversity #archipelagosinstitute #marineecology #conservation #reefs

🪸Squid eggs on an experimental artificial reef!🪸

Archipelagos’s marine ecology research team monitors almost daily our experimental artificial reefs.

They are made exclusively of natural and biodegradable materials and are environmentally-safe.

The deposition of squid eggs and the intense colonisation by various fish species is promising, in seas that are being destroyed by human activity.

#biodiversityconservation #aegeansea #marineconservation #protectbiodiversity #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #oceanconservation #marinescience #marinebiodiversity #archipelagosinstitute #marineecology #conservation #reefs
...

*PhD Opportunity* 
🎓 Essex University, UK in cooperation with Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, offers a joint scholarship for a PhD program entitled, “Ecosystem function of key marine habitats in the Mediterranean: shallow seagrasses to deep coralligenous reefs”
⛵️ This PhD will be largely field-based, working as part of the Archipelagos research team in the Aegean Sea, Greece. Research will be assessing ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, as well as the quantification of the factors that threaten these important ecosystems. 
📆 For more information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/ecosystem-function-of-key-marine-habitats-in-the-mediteranean-shallow-seagrasses-to-deep-coralligenous-reefs/?p154832 
#archipelagos #weararchipelagos #conservation #aegean #greece #archipelagosinstitute #researchconservation #researchforconservatin #essexuniveristy #phd #mediterranean

*PhD Opportunity*
🎓 Essex University, UK in cooperation with Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, offers a joint scholarship for a PhD program entitled, “Ecosystem function of key marine habitats in the Mediterranean: shallow seagrasses to deep coralligenous reefs”

⛵️ This PhD will be largely field-based, working as part of the Archipelagos research team in the Aegean Sea, Greece. Research will be assessing ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, as well as the quantification of the factors that threaten these important ecosystems.

📆 For more information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/ecosystem-function-of-key-marine-habitats-in-the-mediteranean-shallow-seagrasses-to-deep-coralligenous-reefs/?p154832

#archipelagos #weararchipelagos #conservation #aegean #greece #archipelagosinstitute #researchconservation #researchforconservatin #essexuniveristy #phd #mediterranean
...

Our past week of silence across social media amounts to a small sign of respect for the tragic disaster experienced by our fellow citizens and neighbors in Turkey and Syria. 🙏
In the face of this disaster, resulting in the loss of many thousands of lives, and the hardship awaiting all those who survived, let’s at least move forward with a bit more knowledge than before. 
For many decades human arrogance and selective memory has perhaps become our biggest fault. We have ignored the fact that we reside on a living planet which continues to evolve every day with its own pace and rules.🌍
We continue to think that we are stronger than nature and that we have control. It is a paradox to believe that such devastation will never happen to ourselves but only those afar. With the same arrogance we destroy the air we breathe, the water we drink and so much more. 
Though we will never be able to regain all lost in the tragedy, we hope you will stand by us and support in any way we can the survivors, and to go forth having drawn knowledge and respect for the living planet we all share.✊
#earthquake #turkey #humanitarianhelp #Syria #HelpTheVictims #helpturkeyandsyria #prayforturkey #prayforsyria #deprem #gaziantep #adiyaman #helpturkey #protect #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #environmentalknowledge #aegean #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation 
#researchforconservation

Our past week of silence across social media amounts to a small sign of respect for the tragic disaster experienced by our fellow citizens and neighbors in Turkey and Syria. 🙏

In the face of this disaster, resulting in the loss of many thousands of lives, and the hardship awaiting all those who survived, let’s at least move forward with a bit more knowledge than before.

For many decades human arrogance and selective memory has perhaps become our biggest fault. We have ignored the fact that we reside on a living planet which continues to evolve every day with its own pace and rules.🌍

We continue to think that we are stronger than nature and that we have control. It is a paradox to believe that such devastation will never happen to ourselves but only those afar. With the same arrogance we destroy the air we breathe, the water we drink and so much more.

Though we will never be able to regain all lost in the tragedy, we hope you will stand by us and support in any way we can the survivors, and to go forth having drawn knowledge and respect for the living planet we all share.✊

#earthquake #turkey #humanitarianhelp #Syria #HelpTheVictims #helpturkeyandsyria #prayforturkey #prayforsyria #deprem #gaziantep #adiyaman #helpturkey #protect #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #environmentalknowledge #aegean #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation
#researchforconservation
...

Sustainable Management of the Golden Jackal population at Samos Airport. 💫
  
Over the past years, an innovative effort has been underway to monitor the Golden Jackals population within the Samos airport, Aristarchos of Samos. ✅
The Archipelagos Institute cooperates with Fraport Greece and has joined forces for the sustainable management and safe removal of the jackals from the airport area. 🤝
#aegeanislands #terrestrialanimal #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #Samos #greece #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution  #environmentalknowledge #aegean  #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#terrestrialconservation #researchforconservation #goldenjackals #jackals #terrestrialspecies #sustainablemanagement #samosairport

Sustainable Management of the Golden Jackal population at Samos Airport. 💫
  
Over the past years, an innovative effort has been underway to monitor the Golden Jackals population within the Samos airport, Aristarchos of Samos. ✅

The Archipelagos Institute cooperates with Fraport Greece and has joined forces for the sustainable management and safe removal of the jackals from the airport area. 🤝

#aegeanislands #terrestrialanimal #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #Samos #greece #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution #environmentalknowledge #aegean #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#terrestrialconservation #researchforconservation #goldenjackals #jackals #terrestrialspecies #sustainablemanagement #samosairport
...

We have visitors! 🤩
Our underwater gardens of Posidonia seagrass are frequently visited by green turtles (Chelonia mydas)! 🐢
The green turtle is one of the three species of sea turtle found in the Aegean Sea. They are the only herbivorous species of sea turtle with a diet mainly consisting of algae and seagrass. 
They can live up to 70 years, but are increasingly threatened by human activities including ship strikes, plastic pollution, by-catch and entanglement.😓
#aegean #seaspecies #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos#savetheaegean #aegeansee #Patmos #Lipsi #greece #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution #school #environmentalknowledge #agean #seaspecies #backtosea #marinelife #marineconservation #boat #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#marinemammalresearch #researchforconservation  #turtle #oceancreatures

We have visitors! 🤩

Our underwater gardens of Posidonia seagrass are frequently visited by green turtles (Chelonia mydas)! 🐢

The green turtle is one of the three species of sea turtle found in the Aegean Sea. They are the only herbivorous species of sea turtle with a diet mainly consisting of algae and seagrass.

They can live up to 70 years, but are increasingly threatened by human activities including ship strikes, plastic pollution, by-catch and entanglement.😓

#aegean #seaspecies #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos#savetheaegean #aegeansee #Patmos #Lipsi #greece #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution #school #environmentalknowledge #agean #seaspecies #backtosea #marinelife #marineconservation #boat #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#marinemammalresearch #researchforconservation #turtle #oceancreatures
...

Protecting Aegean Coralligenous! 🪸
The research for the conservation of the coralligenous habitats of the Aegean Sea in the deep waters continues aboard the Aegean Explorer.
Corals that survive here may exceed the age of 7000 years. 🤩
However, they are a well-kept secret in the depths of the Aegean. 
Τhey are being destroyed by towed fishing gear (trawlers) that can reach these depths. 
Let’s continue contributing to their conservation! 🌊
#aegean #seaspecies #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos#savetheaegean #aegeansee #coraltransplantation  #coral #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution #reeflife #environmentalknowledge #seaspecies #trawlers #marinelife #marineconservation #coral #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#marinemammalresearch #researchforconservation #oceancreatures #diving #divinginseaworld #divinggreece #divingresearch

Protecting Aegean Coralligenous! 🪸

The research for the conservation of the coralligenous habitats of the Aegean Sea in the deep waters continues aboard the Aegean Explorer.

Corals that survive here may exceed the age of 7000 years. 🤩
However, they are a well-kept secret in the depths of the Aegean.
Τhey are being destroyed by towed fishing gear (trawlers) that can reach these depths.

Let’s continue contributing to their conservation! 🌊

#aegean #seaspecies #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos#savetheaegean #aegeansee #coraltransplantation #coral #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution #reeflife #environmentalknowledge #seaspecies #trawlers #marinelife #marineconservation #coral #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#marinemammalresearch #researchforconservation #oceancreatures #diving #divinginseaworld #divinggreece #divingresearch
...

Abandoned Fishing Gear Over a Coralligenous Reef 🪸
The deep-sea research conducted by the Archipelagos Institute uncovers not only unique biodiversity but also immense destruction! 
The distressing state of our seas today is the result of decades of destructive human activities that continue to take place. 😓
There is an urgent need to implement and enforce effective management measures to halt destructive fishing practices.⏳
#agean #seaspecies #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #aegeansee  #greece #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution  #environmentalknowledge #agean #backtosea #marinelife #marineconservation #boat #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#marinemammalresearch #researchforconservation #Coralligenous #coralligenoushabitat #coralligenousreef #oceancreatures

Abandoned Fishing Gear Over a Coralligenous Reef 🪸

The deep-sea research conducted by the Archipelagos Institute uncovers not only unique biodiversity but also immense destruction!

The distressing state of our seas today is the result of decades of destructive human activities that continue to take place. 😓

There is an urgent need to implement and enforce effective management measures to halt destructive fishing practices.⏳

#agean #seaspecies #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #aegeansee #greece #MarineLitter #pollution #plasticpollution #environmentalknowledge #agean #backtosea #marinelife #marineconservation #boat #ArchipelagosInstitute #Conservation #Greece #ResearchConservation #SavetheAegean
#marinemammalresearch #researchforconservation #Coralligenous #coralligenoushabitat #coralligenousreef #oceancreatures
...

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