Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
Overview
Through the creation of the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary (AMLS), we aim to bring back respect to dolphins and other marine life in need, combining innovation with high standards of animal welfare, in a pristine natural location. The AMLS model aims to be a cost-effective, sustainable and innovative solution to a global problem, that is replicable and scalable. Situated on the Greek island of Lipsi, in the Southeastern Aegean, the AMLS is in process of being created in the first country in history to protect dolphins by law: in ancient Greece dolphins were believed to be messengers of Poseidon, if a person was caught killing a dolphin the result would be the death penalty.
Partners
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.
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
Aims & Mission
Aims & Mission
- A first-of-its-kind veterinary clinic and rehabilitation centre for sick/injured marine animals (dolphins, sea turtles, monk seals). Providing critical clinical care and rehabilitative treatment in a “teaching marine mammal hospital” far from human impacts.
- Provide a solution-based alternative offering long-term care and refuge for dolphins displaced due to closure of marine parks.
- Promote applied biodiversity conservation research through innovative habitat enhancement techniques such as artificial reefs and replantation of seagrass meadows.
- Provide expert care, comfort and compassion for animals physical and mental needs and setting future standards in animal welfare at marine sanctuaries.
Values
Rescue & Rehabilitation – A mission to rescue marine mammals in distress and provide a quality refuge for their recovery and rehabilitation.
Pioneering Research – An international research center where dolphins can be studied in a regulated, natural environment.
Sustainability – A sanctuary powered solely by renewable energy with a minimal plastic and carbon footprint.
Replicability – A model sanctuary that can be globally replicated and scaled to local conditions and different budgets.
Innovation – Compelling positive change by setting international standards through innovative protocols and practices.
Community Engagement – Dedicated to raising awareness and engaging local communities in the implementation of conservation solutions.
Location
The Aegean Sea is a natural habitat for Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), the species of dolphin most often held in captivity. The sanctuary bay contains all of the natural conditions and stimuli essential for their physical and psychological well-being.
The AMLS is situated on the Greek island of Lipsi in the Northern Dodecanese. Vroulia Bay on the northwest of Lipsi Island was chosen as the ideal location after six years of thorough research.
Situating the AMLS in an area with minimal human presence or disturbance, no light or sound pollution, a small local population and a long tradition of eco-friendly practices minimises any anthropogenic impacts which could disrupt the animals in rehabilitation.
The long fjord provides safe shelter from rough seas, while the bay is characterised by ideal water conditions and sea currents to host marine animals in need of care. The gentle gradient provides a shallow section perfect for rehabilitation and deeper areas of up to 40 meters in depth.
- Individualised care to each animal based on the life and learning history in accordance with all accredited standards for the care of marine mammals and sea turtles.
- Innovative and sustainable alternatives to the rehabilitation of marine animals in need, in a natural environment.
- A long-term rehabilitation and retirement solution for formerly captive dolphins.
Our Sanctuary
Progress
Transforming a derelict building to a redesigned and newly renovated rehabilitation and research centre. Constructions are ongoing and progress is steadily increasing as more funds are secured. To date, work has been focused on making the building operational as a rehabilitation centre including the installation of the veterinary clinic and rehabilitation pools. Full refurbishment both internally and externally with new flooring, windows, doors and fixtures and fittings were completed and office areas and the general laboratory have been operational since May 2020.
Future aspirations
A close collaboration with a team of architects, landscape architects, researchers and students at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto developed a design principle for the coastal rehabilitation and building reuse and renovation of AMLS. An integrated study for Landscape Remediation, Marine Environment Rejuvenation, and Building Renovation and Reuse proposes the transformation of an industrial landscape and building into a sustainable system. This includes water retention, anti-erosion, a positive environmental footprint and minimum visual impact and a series of clement, functional spaces for animals in and human stewardship. The architectural design of the AMLS combines advanced materials and traditional building techniques. The UofT team works closely with our project as the various construction phases are completed and designs are adapted.
Addressing an urgent need
As human pressure on the world’s seas and oceans increase, the number of marine animals in need of rehabilitation is growing. As public attitudes changes towards dolphin captivity there is an urgent need for marine sanctuaries. The AMLS will provide:
- Individualised care to each animal based on the life and learning history in accordance with all accredited standards for the care of marine mammals and sea turtles.
- Innovative and sustainable alternatives to the rehabilitation of marine animals in need, in a natural environment.
- A long-term rehabilitation and retirement solution for formerly captive dolphins.
Rehabilitation of wild animals
An increasing number of marine mammals and sea turtles are stranded or entangled within the Aegean Sea each year. Action is needed to save these animals.
The AMLS veterinary clinic and rehabilitation centre will provide high quality medical care to animals in urgent need, with the objective of releasing them into their natural habitat. If long-term care is needed, they will remain in the sanctuary until they are fully recovered and healthy enough to be able to return to their natural environment.
A First Aid Response Network will be formed through the training of local communities on marine animal first aid, conservation and animal welfare.
Care for formerly captive dolphins
Dolphins in captivity spend their lives in an artificial environment, deprived of their natural habitat and social groups and often suffer from stress related disorders, known as “zoochosis”. These include behavioural abnormalities such as self-mutilation, self-inflicted trauma, repetitive behaviours and excessive aggressiveness.
For decades, the media portrayed the commercial exploitation of dolphins as an activity enjoyed by both animals and humans. Consequently, the public was largely unaware of animal welfare concerns associated with holding dolphins in captivity. However, public perception is changing and sanctuaries are urgently needed to offer a solution for dolphins relocated from captivity. The AMLS, once fully operational, will provide a sustainable solution by offering long-term care and refuge for dolphins displaced due to closure of marine parks.
Education & visitation
As an international centre for research on marine mammals and sea turtles, the AMLS will offer, to scientists, researchers, and students, the opportunity to conduct non-invasive research in a regulated, natural environment. The AMLS will be open to the public on an “invite-only” basis. All visitors will have to follow a strict code of conductto avoid causing disturbance to the animals under rehabilitation and care.
Visitors and the local community will be encouraged to learn about the sanctuary, rescue, research, conservation, responsible tourism and native and invasive marine species online and at the information centre in the town of Lipsi.
Livestream videos of the animals and their rehabilitation progress, hydrophone recorded dolphin sounds and interactive materials will provide the foundation for the AMLS educational program.
The AMLS will have a viewing platform on a hill above the bay so that visitors can observe the dolphins and other marine animals living in the bay from a distance, preventing any possible disturbances.
Innovation
Sustainability
POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
Α specially designed, 10KW autonomous photovoltaic unit powers the AMLS building using state of the art technology for efficient energy production. Comprising 32 solar panels covering 100% of the current needs for the sanctuary building and the anticipated future requirements.
On site two electrical generators and a biodiesel converter will operate as a backup for tasks requiring higher amounts of electricity. The generators will run on biodiesel from recycled cooking oil provided by local restaurants. This offers a sustainable solution to the local community eliminating the need for management of this waste.
WATER & ENERGY SUPPLY
Water is provided to the AMLS building through the collection of rainwater and at a later stage this will be coupled by installing a solar powered desalination system. Grey water will be recycled and used for irrigation. In this way, the building will be completely autonomous with zero carbon footprint. All needs are covered by renewable sources, educating and inspiring both on-site and online visitors.
We aim for this system of operation to become a model for electricity and water supply, with a relatively small cost and zero impact to the landscape.
ANTIBACTERIAL COPPER
Sustainable antibacterial copper alloy is the chosen material for the underwater fencing as an alternative to plastic. It is efficient for water circulation, easy to maintain, long lasting, recyclable, non-corrosive and prevents biofouling, e.g. algae growth.
Copper has been used throughout millenia and more recently its natural antimicrobial properties are also being widely acknowledged.
The AMLS will host the first veterinary clinic in the world to use antibacterial copper surfaces to minimise the transfer of diseases.
NATURAL ENRICHMENT PROCESSES
Our goal is to employ only natural processes to maintain a healthy habitat for the marine life under our care. The bay will be selectively populated with native detritivore species to help manage organic waste from large marine mammals.
If required, a noise-reducing solar pump will complement natural sea currents leading in and out of the bay. It will also assist the provision of nutrient enrichment that is necessary to maintain a balanced and healthy ecosystem, whilst preventing organic waste build up.
Biodiversity enrichment
Controlled enrichment practices will boost the existing biodiversity of the bay and increase the overall abundance of marine fauna. The creation of an experimental underwater seagrass garden will help to maintain high water quality within the bay, creating a biodiverse natural environment. It is based on low-cost and high-yield practices, through which extensive planting can be implemented in large maritime areas using natural and biodegradable materials.
Ecosystem destruction and anthropogenic activities have depleted the abundance of flora and fauna within our seas. Through the installation of artificial reefs, which are designed to target specific species, natural habitats will be provided as a mitigation tool encouraging flora and fauna to flourish.
Scalability, expansion & replicability
The AMLS aims to become a model sanctuary that can be globally replicated and scaled to local conditions and different budgets, facilitating and promoting the creation of new sanctuaries. Once completed the AMLS will be extended to additional sites that have already been identified on nearby islands, allowing the sharing of important resources locally.
