About Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is a Greek, non-profit, non-governmental organisation active since 1998. It was established to address the urgent need for protection across the seas of the northeastern Mediterranean. Archipelagos’ international multidisciplinary team combines research, in cooperation with leading universities and organisations, with active conservation work by which local communities play an important role. Present in the field year-round, Archipelagos has worked for over two decades at sea and in coastal island regions. This foundation has enabled and strengthened Archipelagos in our efforts to protect marine and island ecosystems at a local, national and international level.
My Role at Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
During my time at Archipelagos, I served as a media intern, actively engaging in various projects related to marine conservation and environmental protection. Collaborating closely with teams dedicated to terrestrial and marine mammal research, I contributed to critical initiatives such as marine mammal photo identification and investigations into illegal animal trafficking. Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to work alongside international volunteers, fostering communication skills and embracing diverse perspectives. My experiences at Archipelagos solidified my passion for marine conservation and equipped me with invaluable knowledge of non-profit engagement strategies.
During my time at Archipelagos, I assisted with the rehabilitation of two green turtles, both of which had buoyancy problems (‘bubble butts’) from plastic ingestion. I photographed the rescues and used the photos to document the rescues on Archipelagos’ social media channels and website.
I also assisted with an undercover project, collecting photo and video evidence to expose illegal bird traders. Archipelagos were then able to aleet authorities and prosecute the poachers, resulting in the release of 88 birds.
Animal Rehabilitation
Throughout my internship, I actively took part in several beach clean-ups, with the aim of not only tidying up the areas surrounding the Archipelagos base but also gathering important data on the types of pollution present, particularly plastic pollution.
This specific photograph captures a moment from a beach clean-up event we organised with an international group of students, who were staying at Archipelagos for a school project. During their visit, Archipelagos volunteers taught them various conservation and research techniques, while also involving them in our day-to-day activities, such as the beach clean-ups.
Beach Clean-ups
One of the highlights of my internship was documenting the research conducted by the terrestrial and marine teams on the native species of Samos.
For example, I had the opportunity to contribute to a project aimed at monitoring the population of Samos Chameleons on the island. I accompanied the terrestrial volunteers during their nocturnal searches, taking photos as they weighed, measured, and collected essential data.
Additionally, I had the privilege of joining the marine team aboard Archipelagos' research yacht on multiple occasions. There, I documented their pioneering fin ID project, which involved studying the local dolphin populations around the island. Through this experience, I gained invaluable insights into data recording and individual identification techniques used during the identification process.
