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Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process
Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process
Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture
Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture
Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island
Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island
Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash up on Our Shores – A Rare Phenomenon
Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash up on Our Shores – A Rare Phenomenon
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Marine Mammals

The Aegean Sea and the region of the northern Dodecanese, supports some of the most important remaining marine mammal populations of the Mediterranean. Even though these charismatic animals are legally protected, the lack of efficient management and conservation measures has led to declining populations over the last few decades.

Marine mammals continue to face various anthropogenic threats, including the depletion of fish stocks, by-catch, chemical and noise pollution, boat collisions, as well as disturbances by humans.

 

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

Length: 20m     Weight: 40-50tones     Lifespan: >80years

Migratory species more frequent in the central and western Mediterranean, more rarely found in Greek seas.

Vessel collisions of fin whales with large (mainly high-speed) ships is an increasing and frequent fatal threat.

 

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Length: 12-18m      Weight: 24-57tones      Lifespan: >60years

Migrates over deep sea canyons. Females and young live in social groups, while males are solitary. Vessel collisions of sperm whales with large (mainly high-speed) ships is an increasing and frequent fatal threat.

 

Risso’s Dolphin  (Grampus griseus)  

Length: 2.6-3.8m      Weight: 300-600kg      Lifespan: >30years

Pelagic species, forms small migratory groups, normally found off continental slope waters.

 

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale  (Ζiphius cavirostris)

Length: 5-7m      Weight: 2-3 tons      Lifespan: >60years

Lives in deep canyons in small family groups

Vulnerable to noise pollution caused by sonar from military activity and seismic exploration, which can lead to fatal strandings.

 

 Mediterranean Monk Seal  (Monachus monachus)

Length: 1.90-3.10m      Weight: 250-350kg      Lifespan: >45years

Characterised as one of the most endangered mammals worldwide.

Its global population is estimated at around 450 monk seals, about 50% of which are found in the Aegean Sea.

The northern Dodecanese is an important feeding and breeding location.

 

Mediterranean Monk Seal (Delphinus delphis)

Length: 1.90-3.10m      Weight: 250-350kg      Lifespan: >45years

Characterised as one of the most endangered mammals worldwide.

Its global population is estimated at around 450 monk seals, about 50% of which are found in the Aegean Sea.

The northern Dodecanese is an important feeding and breeding location.

 

Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)

Length: 1.80-2.50m      Weight: 110-170kg      Lifespan: >50years

It is the most common dolphin species in the Greek Seas. It is normally found in the open sea, in large pods that can exceed 150 individuals.

 

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncates)

Length: 1.90-3.90m      Weight: 150-300kg      Lifespan: >50years

Common in coastal waters throughout the Greek seas. As fish stocks decline, this species increasingly

turns to the nets of small-scale fishing boats for food, leading to damaged nets which are expensive to repair.

 

 

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  • CATEGORY Awareness Material

HIGHLIGHTS

  • International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    1 June 2021
    At Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation an important visit took …
  • The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    27 July 2020
    It was a great honor but also great moral support …
  • The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    30 June 2020
    Yesterday, during the President of the Republic’s visit to the …
  • Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    19 February 2020
    The Short Documentary Film presenting the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, …
  • Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    6 February 2020
    We would like to thank the International Propeller Club of …

Recent Posts

  • Photo-ID & Behavioral Assessments of Delphinus delphis in the Northern Aegean Sea

    Photo-ID & Behavioral Assessments of Delphinus delphis in the Northern Aegean Sea

    2 November 2023
    Yasas! Intern Alannah from the Marine Mammal Field here, currently …
  • Experiences After Work at Archipelagos

    Experiences After Work at Archipelagos

    2 November 2023
    Hi, I’m Ella and I completed a 6-week internship on …
  • Hands-on Projects with the Marine Mammal Research & Conservation Team

    Hands-on Projects with the Marine Mammal Research & Conservation Team

    2 November 2023
    My name is Sjoerd and I am in the last …
  • Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process

    Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process

    29 June 2023
    An innovative process of planting underwater gardens of Posidonia oceanica …
  • A special three-day research expedition to the Ikaria Trench

    A special three-day research expedition to the Ikaria Trench

    19 May 2023
    Archipelagos Marine Mammal Research team took part in a very …
  • Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture

    Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture

    17 May 2023
    A new cycle of interdisciplinary on-site research of the Aegean …
  • Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island

    Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island

    12 May 2023
    A mutilated striped dolphin was found stranded on the north …

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