MARINE LIFE

THE SEA TURTLES OF KEFALONIA

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Caretta-caretta the only marine turtle nesting in Greece and the Mediterranean. Zakynthos is has the largest hatchery left in the Mediterranean where about 2,000 nests are laid annually. Kefalonia has a smaller population, with less than 150 nests between Skala and Lixouri.

The female turtles nest on the southern facing shoreline of the island. Many of these beaches are so far untouched by human development and therefore offer the turtles a safe place to nest, secluded from the outside world. However, in the past 20 years tourist development has been encroaching into these untouched nesting habitats. The Katelios Group was founded in 1993 and has observed, monitored and recorded the feeding and breeding behaviour of the turtles nesting on these sandy beaches. Incorporating a conservation programme to promote the protection of these main nesting areas from any rapid development, most are already stable and therefore offer the females a safe nesting ground to lay their eggs. The Group currently monitors the nesting behaviour of the turtles on the main beach at Mounda Bay. With the data collected its being used to produce a conservation plan in an effort to protect the turtles and their habitats throughout the island of. Research work starts in the spring, with the beaches firstly being cleaned of waste deposits left over the winter months. The beach is then mapped and marked, allowing the exact positioning of each nest to be recorded. The nesting season is June to August during this time the beach is monitored nightly from 10.00 pm. to 6.00 am. where every emerging turtle from the sea is recorded. This includes the length and width of the shell and the health of each female. The nest position, and the number of eggs in each clutch. The tag numbers are recorded and turtles without tags are marked. After an incubation period of around 55days, the hatchlings emerge late at night or early hours of the morning and make the precarious journey to sea. The numbers and fate of each hatchling is accounted for After the practical work has finished the information is collected and reports and petitions are made to the authorities. With the help and support of the local fisherman and compensation for any damaged nets, the support and co-existence of people and turtle, locals and tourists alike is giving valuable support and is essential in the protection of these nesting grounds.

For more information contact The Katelios Group for the Research and Protection of Marine and Terrestrial Life, Katelios, Kefalonia. Tel: 81009-81584

In addition to this the FNEC is a non-profit making non-governmental organisation established in June 1998. It also acts as a hosting organisation running 2 different projects with young volunteers for a period of 6 months.  Showing the results of its work in their Museum in Fiskardo. For more information contact Ionian Sea Research Centre, Fiskardo, Kefalonia. Tel 41181-41182

THE MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL

In 1984 the monk seal Monachus monachus, was identified as one of the twelve most endangered animals in the world. Less than 500 are thought to remain. Diminished into two surviving areas, one habitat is the Atlantic coast of northwest Africa and the other, here in the waters of the Mediterranean. Where they remain still the most endangered mammal in Europe.

They survive in these waters with another threatened and endangered species, the sea turtles Caretta caretta. The surviving monk seal population in Greece has decreased to seriously low levels. Apart from the common hostility to these marine creatures from fishermen, the disruptive effects of two world wars and the now rapid progress of industries and the associated pollution, the most significant factor in the species’ decline is the accelerated increase in mass tourism and tourist developments along the coastlines that inevitably brings the increasing disturbance and destruction of the natural habitats. Not to mention the rapid increase in pleasure and motorboat activities which, during the breeding and weaning seasons, are regarded as a major threat to the species. This pursuit of enjoyment by an inconsiderate minority can cause fear, abandonment of the pups and unfortunately, in some cases, death.

Believe it or not even in ancient Greece, monk seals were protected, their display of great love for sea and sun placed them under the guardianship of the gods Poseidon and Apollo. These animals were mentioned by Homer and Aristotle and even depicted on one of the first coins to be stamped in 500 bc. The fishermen and seafarers, who caught sight of the animals playing in the waves or plodding slowly on the beaches considered that to be a omen of good fortune.

Chronicled throughout history, we have all been made well aware that humans have hunted seals for their own survival for many hundreds of years. The trusting and inquisitive nature of these creatures has made them easy prey for hunters and fishermen who dispatched them instantly using spears, but when the animals were netted and clubs were used, these savage culls became a blood bath. The seals were killed mainly for the pelts that went into making of clothing, shoes and tents giving excellent protection against adverse weather conditions. The meat of the animal was consumed with the fat being rendered down for oil to be used in lamps.

Evidence has suggested that after the fall of the Roman empire the species was severely depleted. However, a decrease in its necessity, with the introduction of the more refined olive especially within the Mediterranean areas may have possibly allowed the monk seal to gain a interim recovery period, though not to original levels. During the Middle Ages trading in seal pelts once again peaked in certain regions, practically wiping out the larger colonies. For the ones that survived a hard lesson was learnt, they no longer grouped together on open beaches and rocky outcrops, but instead found refuge in caves and along inaccessible and rocky coast lines. Consequently today these reclusive creatures hide so well that little information is now available, but approximate figures suggest about possibly 200 live in Greek waters.

The Mediterranean monk seals life span is up to 40 years but today mostly only 20 if lucky, with males and females looking almost identical. Males weigh in at about 315 kg with an average length of 2.4 m. The females are only slightly smaller, weighing approximately 300 k. Adults are generally brown or grey on the back. A white patch is common on the underside of the belly, and others have irregular mottled light patches on the stomach. The older males tend to be black. Pups are born between 88 -103 cm in length and weigh 16 -18 kg. The Mediterranean monk seal pups are born with a white or yellow patch on the stomach and have a black, woolly coat.

The Mediterranean monk seal has been virtually eradicated from most of its original habitat by human encroachment and females now pup only in caves in remote and relatively undisturbed areas. Males and females are thought to reach sexual maturity between 5 and 6 years, although some females may mature as early as 4 years. Pups are born during most of the year but mainly in September and October. Monk seal pups can swim and dive at about two weeks of age and are weaned at about 16-17 weeks. Their main diet is fish, octopus and seaweed. If you are lucky enough to see a monk seal, do not follow it or frighten it disturb any way only observe from a distance.

THE DOLPHIN

For thousands of years the dolphin has been a symbol that in Greece has played an important role in the cultural and artistic heritage of its people, and for them it represents an expression of freedom and beauty. No other animal on the planet has had such a magical connection with humans. Since ancient times the dolphin’s lack of aggression, sense of fun and ability to contact the deepest human emotion and spirit has become legendary.

Dolphins are mammals from the whale-porpoise family known as cetaceans which scientists believe may have evolved from early land mammals that returned to the sea. Their skeletons have uncanny similarities to ours, and they have a complex language, each dolphin having a personal signature tune as unique as a fingerprint. Although they are quite large and powerful animals there have been no reports of any unprovoked attacks on man but however many have been known to kill a shark with a single blow. Dolphins will allow people to grasp their strong dorsal fin for a ride, carry children on their backs and even leap out of the water next to swimmers. There have been numerous instances of dolphins saving peoples lives, from fishermen to swimmers, divers and windsurfers. In the last decade dolphins have even been used in the treatment of depression.

International Dolphin Watch, an organisation established to protect these mystical creatures, believe it is essential for the overall well being of dolphins that they be able to breed, feed and roam in their natural environment. Unfortunately through the polluting of the Mediterranean as well as the excessive fishing with the use of fine filament nets, the dolphin population has been drastically reduced and is continuing to do so in the sea surrounding Greece. Nowhere is this more evident than around Kefalonia where in the past dolphins were quite common, chiefly in the deep waters between Ithaki and Zakynthos. Nonetheless dolphins are still seen following boats to and from these islands and a small group can usually be found in the Gulf of Argostoli, especially around the fish farm area. It is hoped that with the tighter environmental control and stricter regulations from the EEC and the Greek government, particularly concerning fishermen, we will once again see these magnificent animals thrive.