Cetacean distribution studies on boat-based surveys
Knowledge on abundance, trends and distribution of cetacean population is needed to increase marine conservation efforts, ecosystem models and spatial planning. Boat-based surveys, conducted along pre-designed transects with dedicated observers, are used to assess the cetacean occurrence and density over our study area area.
Bioacoustics monitoring and recording of the communication of cetacean species
Bioacoustics study is essential to understand the different functions of cetacean communication combined with the influence of anthropogenic activities. The study is carried out using a Hydrophone Array System and PAMGuard Software to detect the presence of cetaceans and to study their vocalizations. At the same time anthropogenic noise pollution is assessed in order to investigate possible effects of marine traffic and other forms of underwater noise pollution on cetacean behaviour and habitat selection.
Behavioural study on marine mammals
The analysis of specific ethograms based on the data collection during boat-based surveys is conducted parallel to other research to better assess the ecology of marine mammals. Statistical analysis and the use of innovative software such as BORIS are helping us to identify and quantify the influence of human activities on the life of marine mammals and to map their habitats (the sites they use for feeding, resting, nursery,, etc.).
Movement pattern, residency pattern and social structure through mark recapture photo-identification techniques
The research enables a census of the presence of a population in a specific area, while also helps in creating a Photo-ID catalogue for each year.The Capture-Mark-Recapture is considered a useful tool for making abundance estimates. During the boat-based survey, dedicated observers are taking picture of specific anatomical parts of the dolphins sighted in order to capture identificationmarks such as patch on the dorsal fin, notch, scars, etc.
Assessing fishstock biomass to estimate prey availability
Archipelagos’ marine mammal research team is currently working to develop a protocol for the estimation of cetacean prey availability, combining data of marine mammal abundance and distribution with data originating from a fishstock biomass scanner.
Analysis of the environmental factors influence on the distribution and abundance of Cetaceans
Ferry - boat fixed-transect monitoring of Cetaceans
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
The Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary (AMLS) is a model sanctuary where expert care and rehabilitation will be provided to sick and injured marine animals in and around the Greek islands and formerly captive dolphins can thrive in a natural environment. The AMLS is currently under construction on the island of Lipsi, aiming to become the first of its kind sanctuary using the highest standard of animal welfare and serving as a research and educational facility, that allows study without human disturbance to the animals.
Located in a pristine natural location being cost-effective, sustainable, innovative and far from the impacts of humans the AMLS is a solution to a global problem that is replicable and scalable.
To read more about it, click HERE
Monitoring the Mediterranean Monk Seals
As the Eastern Aegean region is considered a key habitat for the Mediterranean Monk Seal, Archipelagos is carrying out research on this important endangered species. The research is conducting by citizen science awareness and information campaigns, habitat suitability and identification as well as land survey to monitoring the behaviour of spotted individuals. Their interactions with fishing communities, as well as other threats,is monitored in order to develop and enforce realistic conservation and urgently needed schemes.
Archipelagos Stranding Response Network
Over the last decade, the Archipelagos Stranding Response Network has been developed with the cooperation of local communities in the Aegean Islands. It helps providing first aid and rescuing of stranded and, entangled animals as well as data sampling during necropsy on dead animals. The strandings are assessed by qualified staff able to provide guidance also from distance to people reporting the events.
Microplastic/Macroplastic: marine litter monitoring and assessment
The microplastic research, conducted by Archipelagos Team, is focused on the quantification and categorisation of microplastics in the marine environment. To get a better picture of this global issue, marine animals from different level of the food chain are analysed starting from invertebrates up to megafauna (dolphins, seals, sea turtles found stranded). Furthermore, a parallel microplastic analysis focuses on the measurement of its concentration in both sea column and freshwater, as well as its effect on marine fauna and human's health.
The macroplastic research consists of daily and seasonal beach clean ups around Samos island, as well as in other Aegean islands. Moreover, during the boat-based and ferry fixed-transect surveys, a floating marine litter monitoring is conducted. This research can give us the chance to assess the origin of the plastic pollution identifying the seasonal trends and distribution of human litter. In this way, we can be able to realise targeted awareness campaigns to involve locals and tourists adopting conservation strategies to mitigate the problem.
Eco-navigation: a citizen-science platform for sailors and sea enthusiasts to report their observations
Eco-navigation is a a citizen-science platform that addresses to sailors, divers, fishermen and sea enthusiasts and in general people who love the sea. It aims to encourage them to report their interesting observations while at sea such as the observations of marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals), sea turtles, sharks, invasive species and jellyfish blooms, but also pollution incidents (plastic debris, oil spill, etc.) or other unusual or interesting sightings. The information they gather is made available to expert scientsts throughout Europe, strengthening in this way the cooperation between active citizens and scientists for the conservation of our seas but also for covering the large knowledge gaps that still exist in relation to marine life.
Citizen science and School education and awareness projects
The Archipelagos’ team is active in various parts of the Aegean region, involving and engaging the island communities in its research and conservation efforts. A wide variety of media material is produced to raise awareness, including leaflets, posters, booklets, children’s fairy tales, educational games and DVDs. Various events to raise awareness, such as workshops and conferences, also take place in island schools and communities throughout the year. For Archipelagos, this important investment is the key to long-term protection of the Greek seas and the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
Start your career with a unique experience in the Aegean Sea!
Join Archipelagos Institute in our effort in the GIS and remote sensing team!🧭
For more information:
https://archipelago.gr/en/get-involved/placements-and-internships/
[email protected]
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #researchforconservation #innovation #oceanscience #mediterraneansea #aegeansea #internshipopportunity #internshipprogram #students
Start your career with a unique experience in the Aegean Sea!
Join Archipelagos Institute in our effort in the GIS and remote sensing team!🧭
For more information:
https://archipelago.gr/en/get-involved/placements-and-internships/
[email protected]
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #researchforconservation #innovation #oceanscience #mediterraneansea #aegeansea #internshipopportunity #internshipprogram #students
Daily morning collection of crops from our garden 🌱
At the Archipelagos Institute, we don`t just plant the seabed with Posidonia seagrass meadows. We also plant our organic fruits and vegetables, covering a large extent of our nutritional needs, all year round, with good quality organic products.
If your travels bring you to the new research base of the Archipelagos Institute, in Agios Konstantinos of Samos, we will be happy to offer you products from our garden.
Good morning to everyone from the Aegean!
#wearearchipelagos #samos #planting #garden #fruitandveg #organicfood
Daily morning collection of crops from our garden 🌱
At the Archipelagos Institute, we don`t just plant the seabed with Posidonia seagrass meadows. We also plant our organic fruits and vegetables, covering a large extent of our nutritional needs, all year round, with good quality organic products.
If your travels bring you to the new research base of the Archipelagos Institute, in Agios Konstantinos of Samos, we will be happy to offer you products from our garden.
Good morning to everyone from the Aegean!
#wearearchipelagos #samos #planting #garden #fruitandveg #organicfood
These days aboard the Aegean Explorer in the NE Aegean, we are recording large shoals of hundreds of juvenile bluefin tuna.
Despite the numerous problems of our seas, such findings give us hope that it is not too late and that there is room to reverse some of the human-caused destruction of our seas, even if it has already been delayed for too many decades.
The Mediterranean Sea is an important spawning ground for bluefin tuna, a species that migrates over 8,000km/year to reach its main feeding grounds in the eastern Atlantic, from Norway to West Africa.
It is one of the most overfished species of fish. Although each female tuna releases into the sea more than 10 million eggs/year, their slow reproductive maturity (at 3-5 years) combined with the fact that they gather in large shoals to reproduce, makes the populations of the species particularly vulnerable to overfishing.
The bluefin tuna can reach up to 3 metres in length and 700 kg in weight, and its lifespan can reach up to 40 years. It can dive up to 500-1000 metres deep, while it swims at a speed of up to 70km/hour.
Bluefin tuna is a very important species for the Mediterranean, as it is a top predator and determines the balance of marine ecosystems.
#savetheaegean #mediteranneansea #fish #marinebiodiversity #wearearchipelagos #marinelife #archipelagos #greece #aegeansea
These days aboard the Aegean Explorer in the NE Aegean, we are recording large shoals of hundreds of juvenile bluefin tuna.
Despite the numerous problems of our seas, such findings give us hope that it is not too late and that there is room to reverse some of the human-caused destruction of our seas, even if it has already been delayed for too many decades.
The Mediterranean Sea is an important spawning ground for bluefin tuna, a species that migrates over 8,000km/year to reach its main feeding grounds in the eastern Atlantic, from Norway to West Africa.
It is one of the most overfished species of fish. Although each female tuna releases into the sea more than 10 million eggs/year, their slow reproductive maturity (at 3-5 years) combined with the fact that they gather in large shoals to reproduce, makes the populations of the species particularly vulnerable to overfishing.
The bluefin tuna can reach up to 3 metres in length and 700 kg in weight, and its lifespan can reach up to 40 years. It can dive up to 500-1000 metres deep, while it swims at a speed of up to 70km/hour.
Bluefin tuna is a very important species for the Mediterranean, as it is a top predator and determines the balance of marine ecosystems.
#savetheaegean #mediteranneansea #fish #marinebiodiversity #wearearchipelagos #marinelife #archipelagos #greece #aegeansea
Between the islands of Fourni and Samos in the NE Aegean Sea, two Turkish trawlers were spotted off the Greek coast illegally fishing.
Trawling is prohibited in Greece during summer in order to allow the fish stock to recover from the intense fisheries.
These fishing vessels are known for their illegal activities and have been seen in Greek waters in previous years. The incident has been reported to the authorities by Archipelagos.
The protection and continuous defence of marine ecosystems have never been as crucial as it is today. The marine ecosystem and especially the stock fish need to be protected against these destructive practices.
Let us emphasise once again that this specific reference is made without any nationalistic approach on the part of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation. The only aim here is to protect our ocean and its biodiversity.
#savetheaegean #wearearchipelagos #marinelife #archipelagos #greece #aegean #aegeansea #marineconservation #illegalfishing #biodiversityatrisk
Between the islands of Fourni and Samos in the NE Aegean Sea, two Turkish trawlers were spotted off the Greek coast illegally fishing.
Trawling is prohibited in Greece during summer in order to allow the fish stock to recover from the intense fisheries.
These fishing vessels are known for their illegal activities and have been seen in Greek waters in previous years. The incident has been reported to the authorities by Archipelagos.
The protection and continuous defence of marine ecosystems have never been as crucial as it is today. The marine ecosystem and especially the stock fish need to be protected against these destructive practices.
Let us emphasise once again that this specific reference is made without any nationalistic approach on the part of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation. The only aim here is to protect our ocean and its biodiversity.
#savetheaegean #wearearchipelagos #marinelife #archipelagos #greece #aegean #aegeansea #marineconservation #illegalfishing #biodiversityatrisk
Start your career with a unique experience in the Aegean Sea!
Join Archipelagos Institute in our effort in marine mammal conservation and research🐬🐋
For more information:
https://archipelago.gr/en/get-involved/placements-and-internships/
[email protected]
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #researchforconservation #innovation #oceanscience #mediterraneansea #aegeansea #internshipopportunity #internshipprogram #students
Start your career with a unique experience in the Aegean Sea!
Join Archipelagos Institute in our effort in marine mammal conservation and research🐬🐋
For more information:
https://archipelago.gr/en/get-involved/placements-and-internships/
[email protected]
#archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #savetheaegean #greece #researchforconservation #innovation #oceanscience #mediterraneansea #aegeansea #internshipopportunity #internshipprogram #students
🌱 By planting underwater gardens of Posidonia seagrass meadows, Archipelagos actively contributes to the reversal of the ongoing destruction of the underwater forests of the Mediterranean!
This great effort is coming to life on Lipsi Island after 5 years of experimental underwater planting, research and monitoring. We are proud to lead such an ambitious and innovative endeavour! 🐟
#savetheaegean #wearearchipelagos #marinelife #archipelagos #backtonature #marineconservation #conservetheaegean #greece #aegean #saveourseas #savetheocean #oceanconservation #posidonia #seagrass #researchforconservation
🌱 By planting underwater gardens of Posidonia seagrass meadows, Archipelagos actively contributes to the reversal of the ongoing destruction of the underwater forests of the Mediterranean!
This great effort is coming to life on Lipsi Island after 5 years of experimental underwater planting, research and monitoring. We are proud to lead such an ambitious and innovative endeavour! 🐟
#savetheaegean #wearearchipelagos #marinelife #archipelagos #backtonature #marineconservation #conservetheaegean #greece #aegean #saveourseas #savetheocean #oceanconservation #posidonia #seagrass #researchforconservation
🌱 By protecting the Posidonia seagrass Meadows - the forests of the Mediterranean we are effectively protecting our seas!
Find out more🌱
#innovation #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #underwatergarden #savetheaegean #reefs #posidonia #seasgrass #marineconservation #researchforconservation
🌱 By protecting the Posidonia seagrass Meadows - the forests of the Mediterranean we are effectively protecting our seas!
Find out more🌱
#innovation #archipelagos #wearearchipelagos #underwatergarden #savetheaegean #reefs #posidonia #seasgrass #marineconservation #researchforconservation
At more than 100 meters depth, exists some of our seas’ most biodiverse and colorful habitats. Recently recorded by the Archipelagos team, this photo displays the miraculous coralligeous reefs of the Aegean Sea.
Alas, even in these great depths, marine species are threatened by human activity. These intense anthropogenic pressures are risking important biodiversity in our seas, before we ever discover they exist.
#archipelagos #archipelagosgr #savetheaegean #marineconservation #coralligenous #reefs #aegean
At more than 100 meters depth, exists some of our seas’ most biodiverse and colorful habitats. Recently recorded by the Archipelagos team, this photo displays the miraculous coralligeous reefs of the Aegean Sea.
Alas, even in these great depths, marine species are threatened by human activity. These intense anthropogenic pressures are risking important biodiversity in our seas, before we ever discover they exist.
#archipelagos #archipelagosgr #savetheaegean #marineconservation #coralligenous #reefs #aegean
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
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
⚠ 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
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 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
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