THERMAIKOS BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

A major focus of the project will be on the systematic study of marine mammals in the area. Greek waters host 8 cetacean species with different conservation status due to intensive human activities such as habitat loss, bycatch, underwater noise and other disturbances. These species are the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and the Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris).

Our aim is to estimate the abundance of dolphins inhabiting the waters surrounding the area of West Kassandreia (eastern part of Thermaikos Gulf) using the photo-identification method, as well as to study their behaviour and try to understand how they interact with the possible threats they face. This is a continuation of the previous Thermaikos Dolphin Project, which was carried out between 2021 and 2023 and allowed us to create the catalogues of the short-beaked common dolphin, the stripped dolphin and the common bottlenose dolphin in Thermaikos Gulf.

In this continuation of the  project, iSea will update and expand the existing catalogues by increasing the frequency of surveys.

Sharks and rays are among the most threatened groups of fish, with 1/3 of the populations of the approximately 1,300 species worldwide at risk of extinction. Their protection is vital for marine ecosystems. For this reason, iSea aims, among other direct conservation actions, to incubate eggs of the rough ray (Raja radula) and the thornback ray (Raja clavata), exploring the possibilities of their ex situ conservation.

The rough ray is a Critically Endangered, Mediterranean endemic species, reaching up to 70 cm in length, while the thornback ray has been assessed as Vulnerable on the Greek Red List of threatened species and can exceed 80 cm. Both species lay their eggs on sandy or muddy seabeds, wherethey are often accidentally caught by trawls, bottom-set gillnets, and longlines.

During samplings carried out within iSea’s projects that contribute to the increase of scientific knowledge on sharks and rays, egg cases of rough rays and thornback rays, as well as those of other species, are often found entangled in fishers’ nets. Some of these eggs could have the potential to hatch under the right conditions, giving the young a second chance to be added to their species’ threatened populations and help them recover.

The goal of the Thermaikos Biodiversity Project is to collaborate with local fishing communities to incubate as many eggs of different ray species as possible, aiming at the gradual restoration of their populations, while also raising awareness among the fishing community and the Greek public.

Citizens can be involved in scientific research and become Citizen Scientists, an effective way to collect data while enjoying nature. New technologies and online platforms provide valuable tools that enhance citizens collaboration with other naturalists and scientists and support the public’s engagement with science. This interaction and process increases the knowledge of citizen scientists on different topics they are interested in and involved in, but also connects them to nature!

Through the Thermaikos Biodiversity Project we will transform snorkelling tours into an experience of exploring marine biodiversity in shallow waters. Participants will be informed about the local marine biodiversity, followed by their experiential interaction with it during snorkelling tours! In addition, by promoting the iNaturalist platform among them, they will be introduced to Citizen Science and guided to easily share their observations and become members of the biggest community of naturalists globally.

The Thermaikos Biodiversity Project also aims to raise awareness among children about the local biodiversity, the conservation status of cetacean populations in Greek waters and the threats they face. In collaboration with the Kids’ Club at Sani Resort, iSea runs a series of activities and games for kids to make them aware of cetacean species, their characteristics and the problems they face in their natural environment.