obSERVING NATURE

THE NEED

The Greek seas are home to at least 67 species of chondrichthyans (fish with cartilage vertebrae). This taxonomic group includes sharks and rays, animals that hold a very important part in marine ecosystems but are threatened by illegal trade and by-catch.

Increasing and disseminating knowledge and raising consumer awareness, combined with provision of innovative tools to the monitoring authorities and fishers, will enable all stakeholders to minimize illegal trade.

Increasing scientific knowledge is also essential for the effective protection of other species, also of great ecological importance, and is based on data collection. Citizen Science can make an important contribution to this process.

THE PROGRAM

The iSea program is a major project for the protection of shark and ray species, addressing by-catch and illegal trade. To this direction it will work on raising awareness and informing fishers and competent monitoring authorities on the existing legal framework, creating a tool for rapid identification of protected species, modifying fishing vessels and training fishers in best practices for handling and releasing sharks and rays, with the aim of increasing their survival rates after their return to the sea.

For the part of the program that focuses on increasing knowledge on iconic species, particularly the lesser-known ones, and enhancing scientific research on biodiversity, iSea will improve existing Citizen Science tools.

The goal is to broaden the community of citizens engaging in biodiversity monitoring, and to train more scientists in the use of data provided through Citizen Science. In this context, iSea is upgrading the iNaturalistGR platform, organizes webinars and intensive studies (BioBlitzes), while it aims to activate even more young scientists, with in person seminars for university students.