It takes place every year in the wider area of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades(NMPANS, Greece) and involves daily field surveys at sea, collection of data, along with evening seminars.
MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal is a not-for-profit, non-governmental environmental organisation, established in 1988. MOm's mission is "the protection of the marine and coastal environment, focusing on the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal".
Due to its longlasting and important efforts on marine environment and species conservation, in 1996 MOm was accepted as a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). MOm, is also among the acknowledged research institutes in Greece, according to the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
The "Northern Aegean Dolphin Project” is a dolphin monitoring research program designed and implemented by MOm. It is carried out from May till October, in the wider area of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (NMPANS, Greece), which is currently one of the largest marine protected area in Europe (approximately 2.260 km^2), hosting various marine mammal species.
Dolphin sightings are common in the NMPANS. However, no systematic research efforts to study dolphins (and whales) have been carried out in the area so far. Research focusing on the local dolphin populations, the identification of important dolphin-congregation or passage areas and the compilation of a photo-identification catalogue of individuals/groups, will prove to be an invaluable asset, providing both better understanding of the precious ecosystem dynamics within the park and serving as a baseline to design and measure effective conservation strategies.
This project is an effort to learn more about dolphin populations and it involves daily field surveys at sea, collecting data and working side-by-side with the researchers of MOm, along with evening seminars, which will provide the participants with valuable experience and insight on Greece's precious marine ecosystem.
MOm’s researchers will present important research techniques and provide specific training on data collection and analysis. Evening seminars on marine mammal monitoring techniques, the life traits of local marine mammal species, and other topics related to the local environment.
MOm provides accommodation and basic food supplies for breakfast and lunch. With the conclusion of the project participants will be given a "certificate of attendance", one of MOm's t-shirts and some good quality photos.
It is stronly recommended to make a personal travel insurance, which will protect participants from various issues/problems that might occur, such as trip cancellation, medical expenses etc. MOm provides partial insurance only while participants are on board and only during the field expeditions.
