Greece joins the Angel Shark Project family

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In the past three years, iSea has carried out a series of actions with the main purpose of protecting these species both in the Mediterranean and in Greece. These actions include: iSea’s contribution to the creation of the “Mediterranean Angel Sharks: Regional Action Plan” but also to the “Mediterranean Angel Sharks: SubRegional Action Plan (SubRAP) GSAs 22/23 (Aegean Sea and Crete)”, the ongoing collection of data related to the occurrence of angel sharks, and the implementation of projects that aim to enhance the current knowledge on the species’ distribution and ecology in Greece as well as to improve the awareness of fishermen and the relevant legal framework.

As a follow-up to these efforts, Angel Shark Project: Greece is announced. This is an initiative led by iSea, Shark Trust, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK) and Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which aims to investigate the importance of the Aegean for the three species of angel sharks and improve their protection in Greek waters. Angel Shark Project: Greece will operate in Greece as an umbrella for projects that will be implemented by different partners and funders.

Find more about the Angel Shark Project: Greece here.

 

23 Greek Environmental Organisations call on the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to implement the legislation on the protection of sharks and rays in Greece.

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Another unfortunate incident of catching, selling and displaying a Great White Shark, occurred in the Mediterranean, this time in Greece, on the island of Naxos. This incident complements the growing catalogue of illegal fishing of protected sharks and rays in the Mediterranean and in Greece.

The Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most iconic animals of our oceans and the world’s largest known predatory fish. Unfortunately, contemporary narratives widely presented in popular media, Unfortunately, contemporary narratives widely presented in popular media regularly misrepresent this fascinating species.

Currently, the Mediterranean White Shark population is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to the dramatic decline of its population in the last 50 years: declining from 52% to up to 96% in some regions.

Great White Sharks are included – together with 23 other species of sharks and rays- in Annex II of the Barcelona Convention Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean. Annex II species “..shall not be retained on board, transhipped, landed, transferred, stored, sold or displayed or offered for sale.” In accordance with Recommendation 42/2018/2 of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). In addition, as an EU Member State, Greek Fisheries are subject to Regulations 2015/2102 (Article 16j) and 2019/1241 (Annex I).

While there are no targeted fisheries for the species in the Mediterranean, bycatch in different fishing gears, like the pelagic longlines, bottom trawls and purse seines are the most prevalent threat for White Sharks’ collapsing population. All effort should be made to release bycatch of White Sharks.

It is particularly important that Greek Fisheries Authorities pay close attention to such incidents, taking into account the existing protection and conservation status of the species, and the fact that such accidental captures could allow the development of an illegal market. This could threaten the survival of the Great White Shark, a species that exhibits low reproductive and growth rates, long lifespan and a highly migratory nature.

We urge the Greek State to increase controls and enforce the existing national (PD 67/1981) and EU legislation regarding the protected species of sharks and rays, but also to undertake the corresponding protection measures imposed by the International Conventions, of which Greece is a signatory party. At the same time, we emphasize that the Audit Department of the Directorate of Control of Fishery Activities and Products, of the General Directorate of Fisheries of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, must be activated and operate, as according to the P.D. 97/2017 (Government Gazette A ‘138 / 15.09.2017) is the only body with jurisdiction for controls in fish markets, fish shops and retail trade, so that there is a second control line for the trade of protected species of sharks and rays.

In addition, we call on all Mediterranean countries to work together to implement existing decisions and legislation. At the same time, there remains the need to educate and inform fishermen, stakeholders, citizens as well the media about the importance and status of protection of this iconic marine species, extremely important for the balance of Mediterranean ecosystems.

Greece’s Next Top Model production company was fined for violating the environmental legislation in Elafonisos

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Following the official complaint from 17 Environmental Organisations for the violation of the environmental legislation in Natura 2000 Network areas of Elafonisos, the production company of GNTM was fined, due to the off-road vehicles that appeared moving on sand dunes, which are protected.

In addition, the case is currently at the stage of preliminary examination, to investigate an offense of Law 1650/1986 “For the protection of the environment”. The response of the Department of Environment and Hydroeconomics of the Regional Unit of Laconia and the Prosecutor of the Gythio Court is a positive progress regarding the implementation of environmental legislation in our country.

We hope that the response of the competent authorities for the implementation of the environmental laws and legislation, will be a means of preventing such incidents and raising public awareness for the Protected Areas in our country.

 

iNaturalist Greece, iNaturalist Network’s newest member!

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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.

The goal of iNaturalistGR is to increase the understanding and interest of citizens in the biodiversity, natural history and natural environment of Greece. In addition, it aims to create a high quality biodiversity database that will be useful for scientists working to preserve and protect the biodiversity in our country.

If you are already registered to iNaturalist, you can choose to be affiliated with iNaturalist Greece by selecting it through your account settings. If you are not a member of the iNaturalist community yet, follow this link and become a citizen scientist yourself!

 

New scientific publication on the knowledge and attitude of Greeks in relation to marine plastic pollution and the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive

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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 issue of marine plastic pollution has been highlighted by scientists and in Greece, consultation and resolution about the implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive have already been carried out. However, the results of our study showed that participants were not informed about the issue of marine plastic pollution nor the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. Nevertheless, they expressed positive attitudes, including their willingness to pay and act in order to reduce their plastic waste.

Taking into account the findings of the study, it is recommended that more actions should support the publicity of the Directive so that the Greek public would be able to actively participating in the decision-making process and its effective implementation. In addition, the topic of microplastics is suggested to be integrated into the context of formal education.

Find the full publication and results here.

Strengthening Angel Shark Conservation in the Southern Aegean Sea – Layman’s report

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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.

In this context, the project “Strengthening Angel Shark Conservation in the Southern Aegean Sea” aims to identify important areas for the three angel shark species, to submit proposals for the improvement of the current legislation, and organise workshops for the training of competent authorities, local bodies and fishers.

In order to identify areas of high possibility of angel shark occurrence, a modeling approach was employed which revealed three critical areas for the three species:

the region of Cyclades island group,
the southeastern part of the Aegean and especially the zone between the islands of Samos and Rhodes,
the northern coasts of Crete.

Based on the outcome of the above analysis, a Layman’s report was issued that includes the results obtained as well as a few guidelines aimed at improving the conservation and protection of Aegean angel sharks.

The project is implemented by iSea, in collaboration with the Shark Trust, the support of the Angel Shark Project, and funding of the Shark Conservation Fund.

You can find the Layman’s report here.

 

 

Approval for the implementation of iSea’s educational program regarding aquatic litter by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs.

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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.

More than 2000 students from schools across Greece have participated in iSea’s educational activities about aquatic litter during the previous years..

The educational materials and activities created in the context of #zeroplastic, awareness-raising campaign against plastic debris and microplastics in the Greek Seas, are presented and implemented during the school visits.

The educational materials were created with the support of Ocean Care.

 

Approval for the implementation of «Become kookoonari: An experiential project to create zero-waste schools» by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs

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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!

Last year the program was piloted at the 10th Komotini Kindergarten with the participation of students, teachers, and parents. Participants took part in actions, to adopt zero waste practices at school, but also at home! Students participated in games and actions, by hosting zero-waste events and by composting. Parents participated in the experiential workshops as well, in order to get waste reuse ideas.

Sharks and rays at extinction risk in the Mediterranean Sea

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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.

“Social platforms have succeeded where political pressure and diplomacy had not yet managed to” says Prof. Marco Milazzo, professor of Ecology at the University of Palermo, and first author of the article. “The recent publication on social media of images and videos of protected sharks sold in chunks in the markets of Monastir and Kelibia in Tunisia, has led several local and international organizations to raise a formal protest against the Tunisian government. Fortunately, the answer was not long in coming, and pending a review of national legislation, a ban on fishing, landing and marketing of various sharks and rays species at high risk of extinction in the Mediterranean was promulgated”.

The recent measures taken by the Tunisian government could finally help to change the Mediterranean fisheries policy scenario, triggering a cascading effect on the lethargic action of other coastal countries, including many EU ones, which are among the main exporters and importers of shark meat globally. The actions, in accordance with the roadmap of the European Green Deal, must concern the effective fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, controls in ports and processing industries, and increase traceability and seafood security (sharks are sold as swordfish in various markets in Italy and Greece), but also the creation of international sanctuaries for the protection of sharks and rays at risk of extinction.

“North African waters host elasmobranch aggregations and high diversity of species, many of which are at risk of extinction. Contrasting deliberate fishing of sharks and rays in these areas represents a crucial step for the effectiveness of conservation action”, says Dr. Carlo Cattano, researcher at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnologies in Sicily.

Sharks and rays that are listed as Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR) in the Mediterranean Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are landed in ports and marketed in Mediterranean countries. The rare guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) (A) in Libya, the spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) (B) and mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) (C) in Greece.

“According to the FAO official statistics, Tunisia has the largest North African fishing fleet, second only to Libya for shark fishing in the Mediterranean, and North African countries land 70% of Mediterranean elasmobranchs catches. However, these data are largely overlooked”, adds  Ioannis Giovos, researcher of iSea and the University of Patras in Greece.

The continuing political instability and armed conflict in some countries along with the recent pandemic have drastically shrunk the economy of North African countries, with tourism collapsing. “There is an evident increase in illegal fishing in these countries due to the higher demand for shark meat globally and subsistence fishing. All the above, set Mediterranean elasmobranchs in a greater risk of extinction than before and we must act before its too late” concludes Sara Al Mabruk, researcher at the Marine Biology in Libya society.

Milazzo M., Cattano C., Al Mabruk S.A.A., Giovos I. (2021) Mediterranean sharks and rays need action. Science, 371(6527), pp. 355-356. DOI: 10.1126/science.abg1943
LINK: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6527/355.2

The “Fishing For Litter” project continues in 2021!

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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.