Systematic monitoring of cetaceans

One of the main pillars of the project is the systematic study of marine mammals in the area. Greek seas host eight cetacean species with varying conservation status, all facing multiple threats due to human activities, leading to habitat loss, bycatch, underwater noise and other forms of ecosystem disturbance.

The cetacean species found in Greece include the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris).

More specifically, the project aims to estimate the population of dolphins inhabiting the eastern part of the Thermaikos Gulf using photo-identification methods, as well as to study and understand their behaviour and the threats they face. These objectives build upon the “Thermaikos Dolphin Project”, implemented between 2021 and 2023, which led to the creation of individual catalogues for Common dolphins, Striped dolphins and Bottlenose dolphins in the Thermaikos Gulf.

Within the framework of the project, existing dolphin catalogues will be expanded through increased sampling frequency.