Multidisciplinary Marine Conservation Field Courses in the Aegean Sea
Archipelagos Field Courses
Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation offers exciting opportunities for students with a desire to acquire hands-on field experience in applied research and conservation. We invite you on board our research boats and bases, where your students will become valued researchers and crew members. Through joining Archipelagos’ field courses, students will gain first-hand experience in applied research skills that can have a direct impact on conservation.
Critical Skills our Field Courses Develop
- Training in the use of state-of-the-art oceanographic equipment, including Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), sonars, biomass scanner, drones, hydrophones, multiparameter probes.
- Mapping and monitoring the distribution of protected habitats and species, such as marine mammals, Posidonia seagrass and coraligenous habitats.
- Surveying experience using boat-based, snorkel-based and kayak methods.
- Assessing the anthropogenic impacts on our coastal ecosystems.
- Interview-based surveys to record Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK).
Where Are We?
The Aegean Sea represents a unique biogeographical crossroad between three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. The eastern Aegean Sea, where our efforts are focused, hosts some of the most important remaining populations of marine mammals, turtles, Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and deep-water coralligenous reefs found in the Mediterranean. Field courses begin and end in Samos Island and often involve travelling throughout the Northeast Aegean islands, such as Ikaria, Fourni, Lipsi and Patmos. Field courses can be extended to other islands including Santorini, Limnos, Astipalia, Tilos, Chios, or Oinousses.
Modules
Our field courses are fully customizable and developed in collaboration with universities or schools to align with their quality standards. Courses typically last between one and three weeks and combine multiple modules tailored to students’ interests, academic backgrounds, and desired learning outcomes.
Multidisciplinary courses are tailored to students from various disciplines, including Environmental studies, Marine sciences, Political sciences, Architecture, Hellenic studies, Communications and more.
Looking for something else? Contact us to design a custom curriculum that meets your academic goals.
Applied Marine Mammal Research
Archipelagos marine biologists aim to better understand the habitat structure and population dynamics of cetaceans around the eastern Aegean hotspot. Our waters host 4 dolphin species, 2 whale species and the highly endangered Mediterranean monk seal. They are all in urgent need of protection as they are subjected to a wide range of anthropogenic threats. Together with our scientists, students participate in boat surveys to monitor the marine mammals of the Aegean Sea.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students train in marine research, where they monitor marine mammal behaviour and environmental conditions, and investigate the anthropogenic impacts on marine mammal populations.
Habitat Mapping
The key to effective management and conservation of the highly productive, Mediterranean endemic Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and coralligenous assemblage is creating accurate maps. During this module, students get experience in mapping and monitoring the typical habitats of the Mediterranean.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students will apply rapid-assessment mapping techniques by combining multiple tools, including drones, satellite imagery, sonar systems, and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), to create habitat distribution maps of seagrass meadows and coralligenous habitats. Equipment used may include ROVs for monitoring coralligenous habitats or Posidonia seagrass meadows; multibeam sonar systems and biomass scanners for mapping the seafloor from the research vessel, along with related data analysis software; and, where appropriate, lower-cost habitat mapping approaches such as drone-based surveys or a custom-developed technique using kayaks equipped with sonar systems.
Fisheries
Fisheries have been central to the livelihoods of Greece’s islands and coastal communities for thousands of years. Archaeozoological studies reveal that many of the fish species caught by Aegean fishermen 10,000 years ago are still targeted by small-scale fisheries today. However, in recent decades, marine resources have been severely over-exploited, often through unsustainable and destructive practices. Without urgent and effective intervention, the fishing industry faces the risk of collapse, posing serious socio-economic and ecological threats to these historically dependent communities.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students will combine fieldwork with online research to investigate the impact of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Aegean Sea. The project focuses on understanding current fishing techniques and practices, while also analysing historical productivity data to identify patterns and trends over time.
Marine Ecology
The Mediterranean Sea is considered one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world, despite covering just 0.7% of global ocean area. From expansive seagrass meadows and shallow water rocky reefs to coralligenous assemblages found in the mesophotic zone, this network of ecosystems promotes rich communities of marine organisms.
Knowledge Outcomes
During this module, students gain experience with in-situ scientific surveying to help monitor habitat health and the associated biodiversity in the coastal waters of the Aegean Sea. This module can vary from fish/invertebrate biodiversity assessments, seagrass health monitoring, and blue carbon sequestration analysis. Students gain experience in multiple survey techniques, such as conducting ROV transects and night surveys.
Plastic Pollution
The Mediterranean is classified as the sixth highest region on the planet for plastic debris accumulation. One of our key fields of study is the quantification of macro- and micro-plastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Given the natural and socioeconomic importance of the area, plastic pollution brings serious threats to both marine and human life.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students will explore various methods for researching plastic pollution in the local ecosystem, including quantifying microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish, within the water column, and monitoring microplastics and nurdles on local beaches. They will also carry out a small field campaign to assess human impact on marine ecosystems, such as conducting food web analyses from seagrass meadows to the digestive systems of fish or sea urchins.
Coastal Management
The Aegean is in a constant conflict about the spatial use of the coasts and seas. The Eastern Mediterranean especially has extensive vessel traffic as it is a gateway for fuel transport between the Middle East, the Black Sea and Western Europe. On the other side, nature, agriculture, urbanisation and tourism are squeezed on the coastlines of most Aegean islands. Efficient use of the seas and coastlines is required to safeguard the environment for future generations.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students will explore the nearby areas around the research bases to examine key spatial challenges facing the Aegean region. Topics of discussion include the balance between tourism and environmental preservation, the ecological footprint of green infrastructure projects, and the impact and management of forest fires. Students will also consider how different islands address spatial and sustainability issues, and explore the question: Can small Aegean islands truly become sustainable?
Terrestrial
The Aegean islands are home to remarkably rich biodiversity, yet much remains to be discovered and documented. Samos and Ikaria alone are estimated to host over 1,500 plant species, thanks to their diverse microclimates. Samos, in particular, stands out as a biodiversity hotspot—home to Greece’s last population of Mediterranean chameleons, one of Europe’s few island populations of Golden Jackals, and a range of unique freshwater species.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students gain hands-on field research experience by exploring the diverse wetland ecosystems of the Aegean Sea. Their work includes monitoring protected species, assessing human-induced threats, and investigating the unique flora and fauna that make up the islands’ rare biodiversity.
Law & Policy
Environmental policy is an integral aspect of conservation. Through targeted lobbying and legislative research carried out on national, EU and international levels. Archipelagos’ work is dedicated to promoting the enforcement of conservation measures and effective management techniques necessary for the protection of marine biodiversity.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students gain an understanding of the role of lobbying and policy changes in environmental conservation. Topics can explore Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, legislation for the conservation of protected habitats, the implementation of restrictions addressing plastic pollution, and various other legislative aspects of conservation.
Overtourism & Island Sustainability
Overtourism poses a severe threat to the Greek islands, with 40 million tourists visiting Greece annually and another 40 million frequenting the nearby Aegean coast of Turkey. This immense pressure on natural resources contributes to pollution, biodiversity loss, and mounting strain on local communities.
In just a few decades, many Greek islands have shifted from self-sufficiency to near-total dependence on tourism. Traditional systems of natural resource management have been neglected in favour of tourism monoculture, undermining long-standing practices of sustainability.
Knowledge Outcomes
Students will gain an understanding of the causes and impacts of overtourism in the Greek islands, including its effects on local ecosystems, communities, economies and natural resources. Students will also develop strategies for promoting sustainable tourism practices, balancing economic development with environmental and cultural preservation.
Customisable Field Courses
Our field courses are fully customisable and developed in collaboration with the university or school to align with their desired themes and knowledge outcomes. Models can be selected from the outlined examples, or we can tailor the course to specific academic targets.
Example Field Courses at Archipelagos
These environmental field research programs are part of the year-round activities and research of the International School of the Sea which is composed of researchers staying and working at our research bases, actively participating in the conservation activities of the Archipelagos Institute.
Penn State, USA & College Year in Athens
Conservation Issues: Confronting the Mediterranean Sea & Sustainable Solutions:
A multidisciplinary approach with a focus on plastic and microplastic pollution.
Odisee University of Applied Sciences, Belgium
Marine Mammal Behaviour & Welfare:
A combination of research on marine mammals and the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, a project under construction for formerly captive dolphins.
University of Toronto - Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape & Design, Canada
Aegean Islet Conservation & Restoration:
Documentation of the cultural and natural landscape formations and ecological identity of islets.
Cardiff University- Geography Department, UK
Oceanographic Research:
Focus on Coastal Zone Management, Habitat Mapping, Marine Mammal Research and Microplastic Pollution.
Essex University - Biology Department, UK
Applied Marine Conservation:
Module to develop skills in the use of oceanographic equipment, including biomass scanners, ROVs, sonars, hydrophones and lab analyses.
Floating Laboratory for Action and Theory at Sea (FLOATS )
On-board interdisciplinary workshops:
Tailored to academic researchers in social anthropology, politics, history, art, architecture and political ecology from Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey and the USA.
UNEP/MAP - SPA RAC
Common Biodiversity Indicators:
Training scientists to research biodiversity indicators such as: Marine mammals, turtles and seabirds, protected marine habitats and invasive marine species.
Marine Monitoring Labs
Eco-Marine Research:
Joint research with experts from Malaysian Universities such as Terengganu and Kebangsaan, the Indian Universities of Andhra and Kerala, the University of Cyprus and University of Oviedo.
Emmanuel College - Department of Political Science and International Relations, Boston
Political Science & Environmental Conservation:
A multidisciplinary course focusing on the geopolitical landscapes and environmental conservation of small islands like Agathonisi, Arki and Lipsi.
Culver Academies, USA
Experiential Training in Applied Marine Conservation:
This training provided high school students with hands-on experience to develop their knowledge of marine biodiversity inventory and the scientific tools used in various areas of field research.
Marine Monitoring Labs
Eco-Marine Research:
Joint research with experts from Malaysian Universities such as Terengganu and Kebangsaan, the Indian Universities of Andhra and Kerala, the University of Cyprus and University of Oviedo.
Emmanuel College - Department of Political Science and International Relations, Boston
Political Science & Environmental Conservation:
A multidisciplinary course focusing on the geopolitical landscapes and environmental conservation of small islands like Agathonisi, Arki and Lipsi.
