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35 European Environmental Organizations Demand ‘Clean, healthy and abundant seas by 2020’ from the European Council of Environment Ministers, today the 20th of December 2018 in Brussels.

Clean, healthy and abundant seas by 2020. This is what European countries are committed to achieve when they adopted the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in 2008. This is what over 180,000 Europeans are asking you to deliver.  With little more than a year until the deadline, all countries of the European Union, including Greece,  are failing

Archipelagos Institute in Rome at the meeting of the EU Mediterranean Advisory Council for Fisheries (MEDAC)

The meeting of the EU Mediterranean Advisory Council for Fisheries (MEDAC) took place this week in Rome. Archipelagos Institute for Marine Conservation, as a member of the Advisory Council is one of only four environmental organisations in the Mediterranean that have the right to vote. The purpose of the meeting was to formulate proposals and

The Research Boat “Naftilos”

Until a few years ago “Naftilos” was a decommissioned sailboat which was largely damaged. Today, after its reconstruction by Archipelagos Institute, it has become a valuable means for marine mammals research in the Mediterranean. “Naftilos” is not an ordinary sailing boat. It was built in Belgium 40 years ago as a “one-off” construction with special

joint Educational Oceanographic Research Course between the University of Essex, University of Cardiff and Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

The joint Educational Oceanographic Research Course between the University of Essex, the University of Cardiff and Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation was successfully completed in two consecutive periods during September 2018, in the marine region between Samos, Fourni and Ikaria. The multi-diciplinary research that was conducted included: –  the use of cartographic vessel “Okeanos” and

Archipelagos’ participation at the 6th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles in Porec, Croatia

The 6th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles, which took place last week in Porec Croatia, brought about many exciting outcomes for the conservation of these charismatic animals. The research of Archipelagos Institute that was presented in the Conference showed evidence of key foraging and nesting areas in the Aegean islands for both the Loggerhead Turtle

Archipelagos’ research boats ‘’Naftilos’’ and ‘’Okeanos’’ working in cooperation with The Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP – SPA/RAC)

Making best use of the calm seas of the autumn, we are trying to cover as much as possible the large knowledge gaps in relation to life in our seas and the factors of threat. The boat Naftilos with Archipelagos’ Marine Mammal Research Team, have been surveying the waters between Ikaria and Chios island and

The Noble Pen Shell (Pinna nobilis): Another marine species close to extinction

In recent months a new major threat has appeared across Greek seas and is threatening another protected marine species – the Noble Pen Shell Pinna nobilis: the largest bivalve in the Mediterranean, reaching 1.2 meters in length. In addition to the numerous human-induced threats facing the P.nobilis (such as illegal fishing and habitat destruction), a

An occasional sighting in the Aegean that only a few of us witness – A mother sperm whale nursing her calf

A mother sperm whale is nursing her calf between the eastern Aegean islands of Ikaria and Mykonos. Milk can be seen floating on the surface, which is a rare sighting. This image was captured from the microlight airplane of Wings for Science during a joint expedition with Archipelagos Institute. We are surrounded by seas which

World Animal Day – 4th of October

The world animal day constitutes an opportunity to remind ourselves that the care and protection of wildlife is a responsibility we all share, not occasionally but every single day!  Our own survival depends on the survival of all the animals we share this planet with. Respect towards them is an obligation not an option.

A tender moment on a small Aegean islet

The researchers of Archipelagos Institute are in cooperation with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) for monitoring the Eleonora’s falcon populations on small eastern Aegean islets since 2014 using modern audiovisual equipment. The head of the research group is Dr. Ronny Steen from NMBU, who is an expert in monitoring wildlife behavior through digital

How can we all Protect Sea Turtles?

Every year in the Mediterranean Sea, hundreds of turtles nest on the beaches and thousands of hatchlings make their way to the sea. Apart from the well known large nesting beaches, in Greece there are hundreds of small remote beaches where each year only a few turtles will nest. However, since these areas are not

The “Greek” Mediterranean Chameleon lives in Samos!

The Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) is a unique animal of great research interest. It is considered a symbolic species in most parts of Europe where it is found. It is a protected species according to Greek and European legislation, as well as international conventions. Samos Island host the last population of the Mediterranean chameleon in

Archipelagos’s conservation efforts in The National Herald

The National Herald wrote an article about the internship opportunities at Archipelagos in their September issue. The article explains the goals of Archipelagos as well as sharing the personal experiences and daily activities of many Archipelagos volunteers. For the whole article, please follow the link below: HERE

Archipelagos at the 6th International Scientific Conference on the Management of Industrial and Hazardous Waste

The 6th International Scientific Conference on Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management was completed in Chania, where Archipelagos Institute participated with 3 scientists and researchers who presented 4 scientific publications. Research director of Archipelagos Institute, Anastasia Miliou, chaired the session on “Marine Pollution”, which focused on the analysis of the high-risk marine casualty in Greek seas.

Do not disturb – Pupping season of the endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal

The pupping season of the endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) occurs in the autumn and winter. Mothers frequently leave their pups on the shore for 4-8 hours. Human disturbance and interaction are the most common reasons for abandonment.   If you find a seal pup on the shore: – STAY AWAY & DO NOT

The screening of “The Land of Plastics” will be shown on ERT on the program “Roads” with Panos Haritos

Archipelagos’ research on the assessment of plastic pollution in the Aegean Sea and greater northeastern and central Mediterranean region was started in 2009 in our laboratory in Samos and aims to assess the extent of the problem that we have collectively caused by the inappropriate use and disposal of plastics. This research is carried out

Experimental replanting of the marine meadows of Poseidonia

Preparing the experimental replanting of the marine meadows of Poseidonia, at the Aegean Sea life shelter in Lipsi island. Experimental replanting is an important pilot action in progress in the last year. It aims to effectively protect these highly productive marine habitats in the Mediterranean, facing increasing anthropogenic threats. We will soon inform you of

Ongoing illegal fishing of Turkish Trawlers in Greek Waters – Lack of action from the Greek Authorities

Over the past week, there have been continuous incidents of Turkish trawlers found fishing in Greek waters, not only beyond their territorial boundaries but also deep in the Aegean Sea, approaching up to 100 meters from the Greek islands. This illegal fishing activity has been occurring not only during the night but also continues throughout

Naftilos Reaches Malta

Archipelagos’ researcher’s boat Naftilos has reached the port of Valetta in Malta after 6 days of travelling through the international waters of east Lybia.  The team experienced rough weather conditions, and after a short stop for refueling, Naftilos continued. The researchers are continuing its important research in the framework of the Accobams Survey Initiative: the

How does underwater noise-pollution affect the dolphins?

The marine mammal research team at Archipelagos institute, has monitored the populations of dolphins and whales in various regions of the Greek Seas and the NE Mediterranean for the past 20 years. This contributes to their marine conservation efforts. An interesting aspect of the marine mammal research carried out in Archipelagos focuses on the analysis
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