Kefalonia Dolphin and Underwater Research Programme, Greece
Field Research Methods: Dolphin Observation:
In order to determine the populations and movements of cetaceans in this area the northern Kefalonia Cetacean Observation Project will undertake A) regular research trips (covering approximately 30% of the activity) aboard NEPTUNE following transects on pre-set orientations from Fiskardo. Binoculars, GPS and camera's will be taken along to observe and record cetacean data. Photography of dorsal fins will also be carried out to develop a photographic database of the individuals within the schools and pods present in the area. B) Costal observation from two set point (old lighthouse of Fisakrdo) and Emplisi Bay (covering approximately 40% of the activity) and finally c) interviewing tourists on sailing/motor yachts approaching the area. All data from the research are given once a year to the local authorities and Ministry of agriculture for further processing.
Swimming among the group or feeding the group is strictly excluded from the practices of this project.
Swimming among the group or feeding the group is strictly excluded from the practices of this project.
All data from any sighting will be recorded on pre-printed sightings forms and at the end of the research trip this data will be entered into the computer. In cases of bad weather the project retains the right to cancel any trip or modify the program without further notice. It may not always be possible and is not obligatory that the research boat will return to the port of Fiskardo every day.
Raising awareness
There is also a strong awareness aspect to this project. This can include preparing leaflets and flyers, making presentations with slides and video, developing questionnaires, painting signs, creating children's comics, distributing and collecting sightings forms to visitors and sailing groups and talking to visitors in the museum to collect sightings and talk about local marine issues.
Important points to note
The dolphin project can give you the opportunity to see wild and wonderful things, however the dolphin project might not be what you may think it is. Daily sightings of dolphins cannot be guaranteed during your stay. The recordings are sent to the Ministry once a year and after that, the project is completed. Your training will be limited to the recognition of species in their area and data recording, this is not a specialised scientific programme.
Underwater researchPinna nobilis - The big Mediterranean mother-of-pearl
The project consists of locating and marking the individuals, recording their characteristics, following their development over the years with the use of Scuba equipment and / or glass bottom battery opperated boats. Pinna is one of the biggest bivalve mollusk in the world (sometimes more than 1 m ). Endemic species of the Mediterranean, she lives in the infra littoral between 0,5 and 50 meters, buried into the sediment on about 1/3 of her long. Exploited since a long time by the Romans, who made clothes with her byssus and button with her mother-of-pearl, she is menaced today by the marine Phanerogames field regression, by boat anchoreage which breaks her shell or pick up by divers for souvenirs. Population regression also because of the coastal arrangements (artificial beach, harbors) whose destroy the algal field and cover reproduction site in shallow water.
The project consists of locating and marking the individuals, recording their characteristics, following their development over the years with the use of Scuba equipment and / or glass bottom battery opperated boats. Pinna is one of the biggest bivalve mollusk in the world (sometimes more than 1 m ). Endemic species of the Mediterranean, she lives in the infra littoral between 0,5 and 50 meters, buried into the sediment on about 1/3 of her long. Exploited since a long time by the Romans, who made clothes with her byssus and button with her mother-of-pearl, she is menaced today by the marine Phanerogames field regression, by boat anchoreage which breaks her shell or pick up by divers for souvenirs. Population regression also because of the coastal arrangements (artificial beach, harbors) whose destroy the algal field and cover reproduction site in shallow water.
Posidonia oceanica
The sea grass meadows Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) DeLile are an important ecosystem within the Mediterranean Sea and have been designated a priority habitat by the European Union. The sea grasses support a wide range of bio diversity, with more than 400 algae and 1000 animal species being reported in Posidonia oceanica beds. Many endangered species, including Caretta caretta, use the sea grass habitat during at least one life-stage, for food, shelter or reproduction. It is not known if the green sea turtle Chelonia mydas, an important herbivore, feeds in the Ionian Sea but small numbers nest in the eastern Mediterranean basin and adult females have been observed in Hellenic waters.
Stranding rescueThis part of the project involves gathering sightings of marine animals, mainly dolphins. Opportunistic sightings are gathered from visitors. Contact with visitors (and local fishermen) will be maintained to help gather sightings. Maps and reports are made of the sightings collected. Other sightings work can involve long, inactive hours spent on land or ferry boat (and sometimes the research boat) simply looking for mammals and maybe not seeing them. Maps and reports are made of the sightings collected.
If there is a report of an injured animal the team goes out to help the animal.
Sharks
The project consists in the awareness of the people locals and tourists about the importance of the sharks in the seas through the understanding of shark’s nature and the destruction of the disbelief around the top predator of the worlds oceans. For the above mentioned reasons, they have created a shark display in their environmental Museum dedicated to the sharks, and have created leaflets for the visitors. Among other things, they have developed a Shark colouring book for children, offering the opportunity for young people to learn about sharks through game.
Promotion and awarenessNewspapers (produced once a month) detailing activities and other local environmental issues will be produced using simple computer packages, presentations are carried out in the summer period each week with slides and video - volunteers can help with these presentations. Puppet theatre scenarios, with environmental orientation, are written and then performed by volunteers in front of live audiences.
Extra Activities
Volunteers will be expected to work 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Aside from that, your time is free to enjoy what the island has to offer. Some suggestions of things to do include: going to the beach, going to Fiskardo (with restaurants, coffee shops, bars, super markets, shops, etc.), diving, renting a boat, visiting the neighbouring islands, going around the island and going to Argostoli, the main city of Kefalonia.
Weather, visas, medical information
Medical information: With the rescue team of the club located in Fiskardo, the volunteers can rest assured that if anything happened, they would get a fast transportation to the hospital anytime. There is also a doctor working in Fiskardo. The hospital in Argostoli is 60km from Fiskardo.
Medical information: With the rescue team of the club located in Fiskardo, the volunteers can rest assured that if anything happened, they would get a fast transportation to the hospital anytime. There is also a doctor working in Fiskardo. The hospital in Argostoli is 60km from Fiskardo.
Climate: Hot summers with 30-40 degrees, usually it doesn't rain from May to October.
Visas: With regards to visas, all EU, US, Canadian and Australian nationals can enter Greece without a visa. For other nationalities, check with your embassy.
Visas: With regards to visas, all EU, US, Canadian and Australian nationals can enter Greece without a visa. For other nationalities, check with your embassy.
How to get involved?
If you are interested in joining this project, you will need to fill out the online application form (you can also print it out and send it to us by post) – to secure a placement on the project, please complete and submit the form including two references and your deposit of £150. If for some reason, your application is declined, we will reimburse this deposit fully. However for those who are accepted, the full amount needs to be paid one month before departure. Once the full sum is paid, you will receive a pre-departure package with all detailed information on your project, Kefalonia, suggested items to bring etc.
If you are interested in joining this project, you will need to fill out the online application form (you can also print it out and send it to us by post) – to secure a placement on the project, please complete and submit the form including two references and your deposit of £150. If for some reason, your application is declined, we will reimburse this deposit fully. However for those who are accepted, the full amount needs to be paid one month before departure. Once the full sum is paid, you will receive a pre-departure package with all detailed information on your project, Kefalonia, suggested items to bring etc.
