This course focuses on the Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals in the Aegean Sea , and the methods to study them in the field. The waters around the islands of the Northern Dodecanese are home to an abundance of habitats (e.g. extended Posidonia seagrass beds) and marine species, many of which are particularly rare and under international protected status.

These rare species include a population of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), the last known in the entire eastern Mediterranean Sea , and the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). This species has a world wide population of only a few hundred individuals making it one of the most endangered mammal species altogether. In total six species of marine mammals are living in the waters of the North Dodecanese. Beside the common dolphin, these are the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and the Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris).

Weather permitting, boat-based surveys will be conducted on all days during the course. Participants will gain first-hand experience in the ongoing field studies and conservation work of the Archipelagos Institute. Combined with informational seminars and lectures, they will be trained in relevant research techniques, including bioacoustics, photo-identification of cetacean species in mark-recapture analysis, behavioural sampling, and application of GIS databases with demonstrational computer workshops.  

The course content is highly applied, as is the daily work of the Archipelagos Institute, which aims at developing sustainable management concepts for the natural wealth of the Aegean Sea in co-operation with the local communities.

Contents of the course

1. Visual survey methods to assess the abundance of cetacean populations.

Advantages and disadvantages of different survey methods: dedicated boat-based surveys, use of platforms of opportunity, and land-based surveys. Line-transect surveys or photo-identification studies, what can they reveal. Dealing with the problem to spot an elusive species.

2. Biology and conservation of marine mammals of the Eastern Aegean Sea.

Species introduction, behavioural ecology and status. Threats to their survival and mitigation strategies, including interactions with fisheries and ways to manage the problem with the active participation of the local fishermen community.

3. Passive acoustics: a modern tool to study cetacean behaviour, habitat characteristics and estimating cetacean abundance.

Using towed hydrophones to improve boat-based visual surveys. Deployment of autonomous hydrophones (e.g. sonobuoys) to collect continuous data on cetacean occurrence and human activities in special areas of interest. Advanced use of hydrophone arrays in collecting behavioural data and tracking of animal movements.  

4. Cetacean Bioacoustics .

Communication and echolocation in dolphins and whales. Use of spectrographic computer programs in analysing sound. Threats through human noise pollution in the sea.

5. Application of GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis in marine biodiversity studies.

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ntegration of GIS databases as an innovative tool in modelling marine biodiversity and its use as a conservation tool. Introduction to the benefits of GIS in conservation management planning, how it can be used to map the marine and terrestrial data and effectively model the relationships between species and their environment to portray a visual representation of the current status of this relationship. This in turn can highlight aspects like threats to biodiversity and improve the search for solutions.

6. First aid to marine mammals & turtles.

Single and mass strandings of marine mammals - entanglement of marine turtles on fishing gear:

Plan of action for offering first aid - methods to reduce human induced stress. Assessment of the health condition, data recording, safety of the rescuers, autopsy and sample collection.

Course Information

The design of the course is aimed at students and graduates of marine and environmental sciences, as well as all related fields. The number of participants is limited to 8 (minimum 3). The fee for the seven-day course is 580 euro, and includes all day activities of the program, accommodation, excursions with the boat, and half board meals (breakfast and lunch). Course language is English.

For the year 2007, Archipelagos offers six courses (please reaffirm the dates with us):

• 3.4.-9.4.
• 29.4.-5.5.
• 27.5.-2.6.
• 22.7.-28.7.
• 9.9.-15.9.
• 14.10.-20.10.

Location: Patmos Island - Northern Dodecanese

Patmos hosts one of the research bases of Archipelagos, which operates year-round. It will be the main site of the course, from where excursions in the neighbouring island archipelago will start. Within short distance are islands such as Samos , Ikaria , Fournie, Arki, Lipsi, and many more. The region is part of a proposed area for conservation ( 'National Park of the North Dodecanese Islands & Islets'). Patmos itself is worth a visit, by its natural beauty as well as by its cultural heritage. For more information, please go to our Patmos page . The course is coordinated and conducted by Dr. Frank Veit, a German biologist who works with marine mammals for the past 15 years, first in the Red Sea, now in the Aegean Sea .  For more information contact frank@archipelago.gr , info@archipelago.gr