Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, represented by its Scientific Director Anastasia Miliou, recently assumed the role of coordination of the NE Mediterranean region of the project PartnerSHIPS of CIESM (International Commission for the Scientific Exploration ofthe Mediterranean). The cooperation between the 2 organisations extends to other areas related to monitoring the effects of climate change in our seas. CIESM was the first institution engaged in marine research in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea since 1919. It has representatives from marine research scientific institutions from all of the Mediterranean countries. The cooperation focuses on the following CIESM projects:
– PartnerSHIPS – It will be combined with the action of Archipelagos’ ECO-Navigation. ECO-Navigation is an innovative action of Archipelagos, which through the cooperation with the Greek shipping industry gathers data from cargo and tanker vessels on marine mammal sightings, pollution events, physico-chemical parameters, IUU fisheries, etc.
– Tropical Signals – To monitor the temperature rise of the Mediterranean and the impact on coastal ecosystems and fisheries.
– JellyWatch – To monitor jellyfish bloom phenomena and the impact on fish stocks and tourism.
With this collaboration the scientific research work of Archipelagos is recognized as well the efforts for the effective protection of our seas, which have been carried out for over 15 years, frequently under adverse conditions. The action inevitably brings Archipelagos into conflict with national environmental authorities, which unfortunately often go hand in hand with the “Greek environmental lobby”.
Archipelagos runs without subsidies from the Greek state, but instead uses self-funding secured through educational activities targeted at students and researchers from EU and USA universities. The action is also supported by small contributions from the savings of many friends, which for years have supported the efforts.
Convinced that substantial research should be directly related to the actual needs of conserving our natural resources as well as public health, Archipelagos continues to expand its action.
