Background: The Aegean Sea is one of most important marine biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean, supporting key populations of cetaceans (dolphins and whales), Mediterranean monk seals and sea turtles. Despite current protection afforded by national and international legislation, many of these species are listed as at risk, vulnerable or endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), as they face increasing anthropogenic threats. It is an utmost priority to ensure the enforcement of this legislation to protect keystone species that are crucial to maintaining our marine ecosystems.
Description: The goal of the Archipelagos’ Marine Mammal Research Team is to monitor the regional status of marine mammal and sea turtle populations and their habitats in the Aegean, an area where data relating to these species is largely deficient. By gathering data on species populations and their respective threats, the research team works to fill these knowledge-gaps, identifying critical habitats that are especially susceptible to human and environmental impacts.
Our dedicated research vessels include: Aegean Explorer (22m motor boat), Naftilos (15m sailing boat), Pinelopi (16m sailing boat), Okeanos (12m motor boat) and Asterias (7m speedboat). Boat-based surveys, of varying length, are conducted all around the Eastern Aegean Sea (Dodecanese and Cyclades). On these vessels, interns are involved in a variety of ongoing research projects, including:
- Cetacean presence, abundance, distribution and behavioural studies (BORIS software) through boat-based surveys.
- Species movement, residency patterns and social structure using mark recapture photo-ID techniques.
- Passive Acoustics Monitoring of cetacean species and anthropogenic noise, using a broadband towedHydrophone array (320m) and stationary hydrophone. PAMGuard and Raven Pro software are used for data analysis.
- Presence, abundance, distribution and behavioural tendencies of Mediterranean monk seals and sea turtle species (Loggerhead and Green sea turtle).
- Monitoring and assessing coastal and floating marine litter.
- Monitoring and assessing seabird populations at sea.
Additional areas that interns can assist with are:
- Response and sampling of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles.
- Analysing microplastic content in marine animal digestive system.
These projects provide field-work and hands-on research opportunities for under-graduate and post-graduate students and for other early career researchers looking to gain field-research experience. Participants have the opportunity to collect data for producing a thesis and scientific publications. This internship provides skills and expertise valuable for a professional career in marine mammal research, marine conservation and environmental management.