{"id":10072,"date":"2026-02-11T14:19:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T11:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/press-releaseactive-and-institutional-role-of-arion-in-accobams-international-scientific-processes-for-cetacean-conservation\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T11:45:22","slug":"press-releaseactive-and-institutional-role-of-arion-in-accobams-international-scientific-processes-for-cetacean-conservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/en\/press-releaseactive-and-institutional-role-of-arion-in-accobams-international-scientific-processes-for-cetacean-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"PRESS RELEASE<br>Active and Institutional Role of \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 in ACCOBAMS International Scientific Processes for Cetacean Conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 \u2013 Cetacean Rescue and Rehabilitation Research Center, as an official Partner of ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area), actively participated in two major international and regional scientific meetings shaping the future of cetacean conservation in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and adjacent Atlantic waters.<\/p>\n\n<p>\u2018\u2018ARION\u2019s\u2019\u2019participation confirms its institutional and scientific role as a key body providing applied knowledge and operational expertise in marine biodiversity conservation, including cetaceans and their habitats, while supporting Greece\u2019s engagement within existing international conservation mechanisms and agreements.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>A. 17th ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee Meeting (SC17)<br\/>Tunisia, 4\u20135 February 2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>\u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019, as an ACCOBAMS Partner, participated in the hybrid 17th ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee Meeting, held in in Tunisia, where scientific priorities guiding ACCOBAMS activities for the period 2026\u20132028 were proposed and established.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-sc17-2-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-sc17-2-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-sc17-2-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-sc17-2-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-sc17-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>Discussions focused, among other issues, on:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>implementation of the second ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative (ASI-II), a large-scale coordinated survey assessing cetacean abundance and distribution across the Mediterranean;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>data collection on marine litter and wildlife;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03b4\u03b9\u03b5\u03c5\u03ba\u03cc\u03bb\u03c5\u03bd\u03c3\u03b7 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u03bb\u03b1\u03b3\u03ae\u03c2 \u03b4\u03b5\u03b4\u03bf\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03c9\u03bd \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03c9 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c8\u03b7\u03c6\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03ae\u03c2 \u03b2\u03ac\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b4\u03b5\u03b4\u03bf\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03c9\u03bd \u03b8\u03b1\u03bb\u03ac\u03c3\u03c3\u03b9\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b2\u03b9\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ba\u03b9\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b1\u03c2 \u00abNETCCOBAMS\u00bb,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reduction of anthropogenic pressures such as ship strikes, underwater noise and bycatch;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>promotion of responsible megafauna watching practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Within this framework, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 delivered a scientific statement presenting the scope, continuity and strategic importance of its research and operational activities at national and regional levels. \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 has more than 25 years of scientific experience in veterinary response to wildlife strandings, particularly concerning marine mammal health and welfare management, and over 30 years of active involvement in programmes concerning management, collection and evaluation of histopathological samples from stranded cetaceans, both live and dead, as well as applied field research in the Ionian and Aegean Seas involving periodic recording, identification and long-term population monitoring.  <\/p>\n\n<p>A central element of \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019s\u2019\u2019 intervention concerned the application of innovative monitoring methodologies, including genetic analysis and environmental DNA (eDNA) as non-invasive and scalable scientific tools. Ongoing research involving \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019, the Marine Mammal Monitoring Unit, Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment of the University of Thessaly and the Veterinary Faculty of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has already produced noteworthy results regarding distinct ecological patterns, highlighting the need for regionally adapted monitoring schemes and conservation strategies, particularly within Natura 2000 Marine Protected Areas. <\/p>\n\n<p>Additionally, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 highlighted its ongoing research programme with the Veterinary Faculty of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in collaboration with the Marine Mammal Monitoring Unit, Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment of the University of Thessaly concerning the assessment of the health status and population dynamics of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and other cetacean species in the Eastern Mediterranean. The research focuses on morbidity, mortality and genetic diversity of stranded individuals along Greek and Cypriot coastlines. Necropsies and targeted tissue sampling are conducted on dead stranded animals, while clinical data and biological samples from live strandings are collected during rescue and on-site treatment operations carried out by trained veterinarians of the \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 Stranding Network. Laboratory analyses are conducted in cooperation with specialized academic and research institutions, contributing to an integrated assessment of population health and conservation status.   <\/p>\n\n<p>.<strong> <\/strong>\u2018\u2018ARION\u2019s\u2019\u2019 decisive contribution to the operation and strengthening of the officially established Nationally Coordinated Network for Strandings of Marine Wildlife Species, under the Ministry of Environment and Energy, was also emphasized. Through \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019s\u2019\u2019 veterinary network and specialized Cetacean Stranding Response Teams operating nationwide, comprehensive management of stranding incidents, reliable health data collection and application of internationally harmonized protocols are ensured, substantially enhancing scientific understanding of Mediterranean cetacean populations. <\/p>\n\n<p>Finally, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 highlighted its role as an organisation \u2018hub\u2019 for training, knowledge transfer, and collaboration with universities and research institutions both nationally and internationally, contributing to human capacity development, interdisciplinary research, and the long-term strengthening of marine mammal conservation capacity throughout the ACCOBAMS region.<\/p>\n\n<p>(ACCOBAMS SC17 meeting info::<a href=\"https:\/\/accobams.org\/meetings\/seventeenth-meeting-of-the-accobams-scientific-committee\/\"> https:\/\/accobams.org\/meetings\/seventeenth-meeting-of-the-accobams-scientific-committee\/<\/a>, Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment (University of Thessaly) : <a href=\"http:\/\/diae.uth.gr\/\">http:\/\/diae.uth.gr\/<\/a> Marine Mammmal Monitoring Unit -University of Thessaly: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/p\/Marine-Mammal-Monitoring-Unit-University-of-Thessaly-Greece-100086038693804\/\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/p\/Marine-Mammal-Monitoring-Unit-University-of-Thessaly-Greece-100086038693804\/<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/marinemammalmonitoringunituth\/\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/marinemammalmonitoringunituth\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>B. ASI-II Steering Committee Meeting Athens, 20\u201321 January 2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>As an official ACCOBAMS partner, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 participated in person in the ACCOBAMS ASI-II Steering Committee Meeting held in Athens, bringing together leading scientific, technical and institutional bodies, including:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>UNEP\/MAP \u2013 SPA\/RAC,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IUCN \u2013 Centre de coop\u00e9ration pour la M\u00e9diterran\u00e9e<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Office fran\u00e7ais de la biodiversit\u00e9 &#8211; OFB<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ISPRA &#8211; Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee &amp; ACCOBAMS Secretariat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-2-athens-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-2-athens-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-2-athens-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-2-athens-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/accobams-2-athens.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>ASI-II plays a key role in complementing the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) by directly supporting ecological objectives such as:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EO1 \u2013 Biodiversity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EO10 \u2013 Marine Litter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>This alignment ensures that project ASI-II results directly support regional and national assessments, including the Mediterranean Quality Status Report, strengthening countries\u2019 ability to implement the ecosystem approach.<\/p>\n\n<p>In its official statement, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 emphasized:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>over 25 years of field experience in the Aegean, Ionian and Cretan Seas;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its extensive network of scientists supporting monitoring and research activities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its role as National Coordinator for Cetacean Stranding Management under mandate from the Ministry of Environment and Energy;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its contribution to standardised protocols for research, rescue operations, necropsies and data collection in accordance with ACCOBAMS guidelines;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the importance of integrating monitoring, health and stranding data for understanding and managing cetacean populations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/arion.org.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/&#x3B1;&#x3C3;&#x3C3;&#x3B9;-2--1024x545.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10068\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<p>(meeting info: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ACCOBAMSDolphinsAndWhales\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ACCOBAMSDolphinsAndWhales<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>1) Institutional and Operational Role of \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 in Greece<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Since 2023, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 has officially undertaken, following designation by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Official Gazette: 3376\/B\u2019\/19-5-2023), the scientific coordination of cetacean stranding management in Greece, in cooperation with the Veterinary Faculty of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. This includes scientific supervision of stranding incidents, coordination of rescue operations, implementation of rehabilitation protocols, necropsy procedures, and systematic collection of biological material in line with internationally recognized guidelines, including those of ACCOBAMS. <\/p>\n\n<p>This unified framework ensures national consistency in data collection and substantially improves the quality, comparability, and scientific reliability of epidemiological and ecological assessments concerning cetaceans in Greece.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>2) LIFE-IP4 NATURA&amp; capacity building<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Within the LIFE-IP 4 NATURA programme addressing marine megafauna, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 supports the implementation of National Action Plans for two cetacean species of particular conservation importance: the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The harbour porpoise resident population in the Northern Aegean (Phocoena phocoena relicta ssp.) is extremely small and assessed as Unfavourable\u2013Bad with a declining trend, while the bottlenose dolphin is classified as Vulnerable at the national level. The Action Plans include targeted measures concerning research, habitat protection, mitigation of fisheries interactions, institutional strengthening, international cooperation, training of competent authorities and development of local response networks for stranding events. Necessary research permits have already been secured for implementation in the Northern Aegean and the Hellenic Trench.   <\/p>\n\n<p>In parallel, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 coordinates an extensive strengthening and training programme for the National Stranding Network through certified Marine Mammal Stranding Responder (MMSR) programmes and support points operating in the Aegean, Ionian Islands, Cyclades, Rhodes and Crete, alongside the long-running veterinary training programme Cetacean Rescue Vet, active since 2002. These activities are supported by university education and lifelong learning programmes utilizing advanced infrastructure in molecular biology, bioinformatics, histopathology, virology and ecological modelling. <\/p>\n\n<p>In conclusion, \u2018ARION\u2019s\u2019\u2019 active participation in ACCOBAMS scientific and institutional processes ensures that Greece\u2019s national priorities for marine mammal conservation are effectively incorporated into European and regional governance frameworks. Through evidence-based science, operational experience and international cooperation, \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 contributes to the development of shared Mediterranean conservation strategies, strengthening implementation of the ecosystem approach and ACCOBAMS objectives. This role enhances Greece\u2019s position within the European and international marine conservation landscape, transforming scientific knowledge into a tool for policy development, scientific management and long-term protection of cetacean populations.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Info: Elena Akritopoulou<\/p>\n\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:eakritopoulou@arion.org.gr\">eakritopoulou@arion.org.gr<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 \u2013 Cetacean Rescue and Rehabilitation Research Center, as an official Partner of ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area), actively participated in two major international and regional scientific meetings shaping the future of cetacean conservation in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and adjacent Atlantic &#8230; <a title=\"PRESS RELEASEActive and Institutional Role of \u2018\u2018ARION\u2019\u2019 in ACCOBAMS International 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