Today we officially announce iNaturalist Greece, as Greece becomes the newest member of the global iNaturalist Network!
iNaturalistGR is Greece’s “gateway” to the world of iNaturalist, managed by iSea with the support of Goulandris Natural History Museum.
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In the context of #zeroplastic, an awareness raising campaign against pollution from plastics and microplastics in the Greek seas, the knowledge and attitude of the Greek public towards marine plastic pollution and the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive were investigated by interpreting the results of a questionnaire.
The three angel shark species found in the Mediterranean and Greece, the sawback angelshark (Squatina aculeata), the smoothback angelshark (S. oculata), and the angeshark (S. squatina) are classified as “Critically Endangered (CR)” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Recent angel shark records in Cyclades and Dodecanese island groups indicate that the South Aegean region is very important for their Mediterranean populations.
The educational activities implemented by iSea in all levels, of mainstream and special education, acquired official approval by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs
The educational activities aim to inform and raise awareness among students about the issue of marine plastic pollution and its impact, as well as to promote a zero-waste lifestyle.
The program “Become kookoonari: An experiential program to create zero waste schools” has been approved by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs for its implementation in primary education.
The program aims to promote waste reduction through experiential workshops and educational activities for adults and children!
An international team of marine biologists published today a Letter entitled “Mediterranean sharks and rays need action” in the prestigious Science magazine. The article presents some food for thought for policy makers and the general public on a topical issue for the entire Mediterranean region: the fight against illegal unregulated and unreported fishing and the protection of sharks and rays at risk of extinction. Read more
Following the successful course of the “Fishing For Litter” project, the A.C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation and iSea announce its continuation for the year 2021 in all the ports where it has already been implemented (Alexandroupoli, Volos, Thessaloniki, and Kavala), as well as its expansion to the ports of Heraklion, Lesvos, Patra, Chania, and Chios.
In 2019, from October to December, “Fishing For Litter” was piloted at the ports of Nea Michaniona and Kavala with the participation of 8 fishing vessels. In 2020, the project continued, with the active participation of 18 fishing vessels, in the ports of Alexandroupoli, Volos, Thessaloniki, and Kavala.
The main objectives of the project are to raise awareness within the fishing industry and change the industry’s waste management, to remove marine litter, and to collect data on marine pollution on the seabed at depths that cannot be reached easily. The collected data contribute to the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC).
Find more about the project here.
A total of 128,918 species are included in the recent IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; 35,765 of these species are listed as Endangered.
The populations of more than 420 species were assessed, 154 of which are listed as Endangered. Among them, there are species that can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and in Greek waters such as the Galeorhinus galeus (GAG) Tope shark, and Chimaera monstrosa (CMO) Rabbitfish. Out of the 200 species that were listed as Not Evaluated in 2014, due to a lack of data, 57 are now evaluated as Endangered in the most recent report.
One species of shark (Carcharhinus obsoletus), which was only formally described in 2019, enters the Red List as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) since its most recent record dates back to 1934. Nevertheless, further research is required.
The Greek Red Book was published in 2009 and it included 63 Chondrichthyan species, 50 of which were listed as Not Evaluated due to the absence of data. According to recent research, it is estimated that the majority of the species that belong to the Data Deficient (DD) category, i.e. the majority of the species found in the Greek seas, belong to the threatened categories and thus are facing extinction.
iSea and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group have undertaken the preparation and compilation of the National Chondrichthyans Checklist in Greece in collaboration with Greek researchers. However, this is only an initial step as, considering the information presented above, it is imperative to re-compile the Red List for Chondrichthyans in Greece.
Οn the 7th of December, thousands of TV viewers watched wheeled vehicles moving on the Protected Areas of Elafonisos island during the TV show of the STAR channel “Greece’s Next Top Model (GNTM) 3”.
Elafonisos, due to its particularly high ecological value, is a Special Protected Area according to the Natura 2000 Network (GR2540002 site, PERIOCHI NEAPOLIS KAI NISOS ELAFONISOS). Since off-road vehicles moving on sand dunes and the seashore are prohibited by law, 17 environmental organisations denounce the event asking its further examination from the corresponding authorities. We hope for the positive response of the authorities in charge, as well as for the promotion awareness among the public about the importance of the area’s preservation and respect to the protection measures.
Find the Press Release here.
iSea participated in the consultation of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy on the bill entitled “Integrated Maritime Policy in the Island Area and other provisions”.