Introduction to the course

This course focuses on the Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals in the Aegean Sea and the methods to study them in the field.  A number of topics will be taught to give holistic and practical understanding of marine mammal biology, behaviour, threatening factors and conservation. Weather permitting, boat-based surveys will be conducted throughout the course, in order to maximise the opportunity to observe as many species as possible.

Introduction to the site

The eastern Aegean Sea is home to an abundance of endangered and rare cetaceans that use these waters as part of their migratory route. This region supports the most important marine mammal populations in the Mediterranean, including:
Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba)- with a resident population exceeding 100 individuals,
Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis)- with one of the last remaining pods in the NE Mediterranean, of this declining species,
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) & Cuviers beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris)- in small resident pods,
Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) & Rissos dolphins (Grampus griseus)- with important migratory populations in the region.
These are, however, being impacted by a number of anthropogenic factors, including decline of fishstocks, chemical pollution of the seas as well as the noise pollution caused by military activity. The research carried out by Archipelagos IMERAS aims to provide data on cetacean populations of the region, as well as the extent of anthropogenic impacts in order to develop and apply sustainable conservation schemes.



Aims

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 and GIS applications.



Topics covered include:

Methods of visual surveying to assess the abundance of cetacean populations
Species identification. Advantages and disadvantages of different surveying methods:
dedicated boat-based surveys, land-based surveys, line-transect surveys, photo-identification studies.
Methods of dealing with problems that arise when trying to observe elusive species. Data recording and analysis

Biology and conservation of marine mammals of the Aegean Sea
Introduction to species, behavioural ecology and status. Threats to survival: fish-stock depletion, chemical and sound pollution.  Mitigation strategies. Interactions with fisheries: managing problems with the active participation of the local fishermen community. Development of sustainable conservation schemes.

Passive acoustics
A modern tool to study cetacean behaviour, habitat characteristics and estimate cetacean abundance; using towed hydrophones to improve boat-based visual surveys; the deployment of autonomous hydrophones (e.g.sonobuoys) in order to collect continuous data on cetacean occurrence and human activities in areas of special interest; the advanced use of hydrophone arrays in collecting behavioural data and the tracking of animal movements.  

Cetacean Bioacoustics
The communication and echo-location of dolphins and whales; the use of spectrographic computer programs in analysing sound and threats from human noise pollution within the sea.

First aid to marine mammals & turtles
This involves information on single and mass strandings of marine mammals, including the entanglement of marine turtles on fishing gear. A plan of action for offering first aid and methods to reduce human induced stress will be provided. Methods to assess the mammal health conditions, recording data, safety of the rescuers, autopsy and sample collection.

Application of GIS analysis in marine biodiversity studies
Integration of GIS applications 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 such as threats to biodiversity and improve the search for solutions.

At the end of the course certificates will be awarded to all participants.


Course 1: 3rd May - 13th May
Course 2: 31st May - 9th June
Course 3: 27th September - 6th October
Course 4: 20th October - 29th October



Contact:
Anastasia Miliou: a.miliou@archipelago.gr  
Yannis Koutelidas: yannis@archipelago.gr
info@archipelago.gr