First Electrofishing Seminar in Greece

Seminar team of HCMR: Our first Intermediate Electric Fishing Certification Meet in June 2012 at the Mont Helmos Hotel, Kleitoria Peloponnese. Note the Back-pack electrofisher unit in the center is a new Smith-Root. 

 June 6th to 9th 2012, Mont Helmos Hotel, Kleitoria, Peloponnese.

Certifying field workers and volunteers in Electrofishing. With the help and step-by-step guidance of our friend and great teacher Bill Beaumont from the UK's Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust we created our first ever seminar for Electrofishing Certification in Greece. Our first graduates were 15 persons primarily from HCMR (Hellenic Center for Marine Research). I had no time to post details earlier and I mean to upload more pics as soon as possible since this was a real eye-opener for our team. 

The seminar was a three-day exercise at a wonderful hotel near the Aroanios tributary of the Ladonas at Kleitoria in the Peloponnese. On Day One we arrived at noon and later begun a Health & Safety session with field practice in the early evening. On Day Two we had a full day of lectures and certification exams. Finally on Day Three we toured nearby rivers and focused on field protocol issues. We tested various electrofishing equipment, including land based generators and different back-pack  machines (generator ground-based, Smith-Root Backpack, European Backpack units). We also had in-field discussions on recording protocol and field form details. On the final day before leaving the hotel we had an extended question-answer period on all themes. It was a great chance to organize a pilot seminar session and I hope we can do this again someday.

Its important to mention here that this project was supported by the Hellenic Ministry of Enviroment and Climate Change and EU funding of Greece's WFD Monitoring Programme. Field coordination for the seminar was undertaken by Ms. Sofia Giakoumi. And many HCMR members helped in various ways. We thank Mont Helmos Hotel in Kleitoria for all assistance and fantastic seminar conditions, high-tech class-rooms, pool-side campus atmosphere etc. etc.

We especially thank Bill Beaumont of GWCT, and Smith-Root for all support so far!

Best electro-fishing instructor: Bill Beaumont

Notes taken by V. Hatzirvassanis during the seminar. 

Sketches made by V. Hatzirvassanis during the field sessions.

Sketches made by V. Hatzirvassanis during class presentation - our instructor Bill Beaumont was kept us totally engrossed in the subject matter. 

Electrofishing with our back-pack devise in the beautiful Erymanthos stream of the Alfeios - West Balkan Trout, Alfios Soufie, Peloponnesian Barbel easily sampled right next the ruins of the Classical City of Psophis (Photo: V. Hatzirvassanis).

Most people do not know that three hours west of Athens there are wonderful riparian forests in beautiful mountain rivers very suitable for summer seminars....

Discussing the field protocols can often create lots of varying views especially since much of this work is focusing on standardizing technique.

Nick Skoulikidis, river coordinator of the challanging WFD montirong project with key-stone HCMR staff members in discussion next to the classroom.

Field sessions involved a lot of real-life work - here the team is testing the older italian equiptment in the Seirios Tributary of the Erymanthos (carried by Roberta Barbieri at Left).

Electrofishing in a very cold trout stream near Kleitoria in the Northern Peloponnese; some of us just took pics  (photo by V.Hatzirvassanis)

Summer Sampling in Cyprus (Part II)

24.07.2012

My Turkish-Cypriot friend, Professor Salih Gucel and I explored Cyprus' east coast to look at the Pediaios and other rivers and associated lagoons and wetlands. Around Ammochostos and Salamis I was impressed to see some rather extensive surviving wetland patches. As in many places on Mediterranean islands this area's wetlands are severely degraded and threatened - building, roading, dumping, water pollution from various urban effluents and water abstraction everywhere. In fact I think these are the most vulnerable wetland areas on Cyprus and they definately have an outstanding international interest that remains unrecognized.

Sometimes, discoveries can be made even at a wetland's life last minute...We made a fantastic re-discovery today: a small protected fish species, the Mediterranean Toothcarp, was relocated here. I was told by Dr. Andreas Demetropoulos that a population was known from this general area - but its current status was a total mystery. To be sure, we do not know exactly what species this Toothcarp belongs to. The taxon is usually ascribed to Aphanius fasciatus but its systematics and taxonomy on Cyprus have not been explored. I believe this population is an evolutionary significant relic that needs immediate attention. Here on the east coast, we managed to locate two populations - one at Silver Beach Lagoon, next to Ancient Salamis and another further south behind the subtropical azure beach of Glapsides. The first site is very fragmented and most of the water had evaporated - leaving the entire Aphanius population dead!  We estimated over 20 0000 dead fish- a remarkable mass death due their lagoon habitat shrinking away in the summer heat.  Aphanius is known to be found only on one more location on Cyprus, at the Akrotiri wetland west of Lemessos. So, here at Ammochostos - at beautiful Famagusta - we report an important conservation priority.  

All photos below taken by S.Gucel

Using Fry Net at Glapsides Lagoon - it was full of shrimp, dozens of Aphanius and two species of  Grey Mullet, plus a small eel. 

Silver Beach -Salamis Lagoon - most of it totally dry. Site of amazing mass deaths of over 20 000 Aphanius and hundreds of Grey Mullet.

Less than two weeks ago mass death of Aphanius - now salt encrusted on the muddy  flats left by the evaporating lagoon.

Finally! Living Aphanius. At Glapsides Lagoon.

One of the rarest and most endangered vertebrates on Cyprus : Common Eel (Anguilla anguilla), next to an Aphanius.

The most important known habitat for Aphanius in Eastern Cyprus: Glapsides Lagoon.

Neapolis Lagoon in the heart of Ammochostos - water is clear shallow and tiny islets have many waders - over 70 Black-winged Stilts present today. 

Agios Loukas freshwater lake, also in the heart of Ammochostos . Fantastic for birdlife - Glossy Ibis is breeding here as Night Heron, Cattle Egret. Many more.

Summer Sampling in Cyprus (Part I)

23.07.2012

Back in Cyprus.

We have been sampling in the rivers and streams since the 11th of July. Its a low-key, low-budget two man job (myself and Vassilis Hatzirvassanis). We worked well in conditions that are rather rare in Europe. Often braving 43 C conditions in the lowlands. Finally we added 32 new sites to our fish-amphibian-habitat monitoring. Its a great feeling - but also a feeling of total exhaustion.

This kind of research here is not something you do everyday on a consultancy - and we could not have done it without an amazing amount of help from local organizations and friends. I want to thank the Forestry Department for their hospitality at Platania (on Troodos) - I have said before that their managment of the forest parks here is exceptional and world-class.  My thanks to the Water Development Department, and also to the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research for tons of help, patience and good will. And thanks to 6 great friends who came out to volunteer and help us find water - and fishes. 


We had some very interesting discussions on conservation, ways of working together, things-to-do.


This morning we just sat watching the Sunfish and Big-mouth Bass with our binoculars at Xiliatos Dam and thought - wow...aliens are so beautiful!

I'll get back with photos soon. 

Wetland in a Desert: Jahra Pool Reserve, Kuwait.

Late May 2012. Jahra Pool Reserve, State of Kuwait. 

Last summer my friend Aris and I visited what I termed an "incredible small wetland" on Kuwait Bay: Jahra Pools Reserve (http://biodiversityeast.com/lib/summer-waterbirds-kuwait-bay). We went back one blistering hot morning on the 29th of May to have a look at the reserve in the company of the reserve supervisor, Mr. Khalid M. Al-Ghanem - one of Kuwait's best-known ornithologists. My friend Nancy and I were really impressed at the potential that this reserve has to offer. And important changes are taking place here. The area of the reserve will expand to cover approximately 20 Km2 - while it previously covered only 0.7 Km2. Water is being supplied from tertiary treated waste water and new pipe installations are being incorporated. Although a petroleum pipeline project has recently disturbed part of the reserve the mitigation measures may actually help re-order and expand protected wetland habitat. Of course, just like my last visit last year the place was incredibly bird rich - we tallied 30 species of birds in less than an hour visit (and we visited very late in the day: 10:30-11:15 am). I was impressed at the large numbers of nesting Black-winged Stilts and lots of late-present spring migratory birds (White-winged Terns, Golden Oriole, Red-necked Phalarope et. al.). The snapshots below show the general near-midday scene- including: a) huge expanses of recently flooded water bodies (shallow pools on the Sabkha salt flats); b) Tamarisk die-back probably due to salinization of the area's ground waters; c) specific traps and decoys used by poachers who frequently enter the reserve; and d) our wonderings with host Khalid Al-Ghanem who is extremely knowledgeable and was wonderfully hospitable to us. 

Expedition: Um Al Maradim Island Kuwait

Late May 2012 - There are still some little-explored places on this Planet. Poorly known, maybe overlooked, perhaps nearly forgotten - with respect to their biodiversity. During the last few days my friends Nancy Papathanasopoulou, Ali Alhafez and other members of our Biodiveristy East link in Kuwait have had the privilege of enjoying nature in this part of the world. The northern part of the Arabian Gulf is a unique ocean water body - and because it is in a part of the world with a turbulent recent history, nature exploration here is still at an embryonic stage. I feel so fortunate to have visited one of Kuwait's most exotic southern islets, Um Al Maradim. This place is not often visited by naturalists - being on the Saudi Arabian - Kuwait Border. With the assistance and generous support of the Kuwaiti Coast Guard we are getting a privileged opportunity to explore the wildlife riches of this "little slice of paradise". We visit to study and document nature - as volunteer naturalists. In the following snap shots I show the beaches, corals, some typical fish species (including an Orange-spot Travalley that we found recently dead), the amazing nesting colony of Bridled Terns, a migrant passerine (Willow Warbler), the unique islet desert vegetation, and the modern coast guard station that hosted us.

One of the most vulnerable natural aspects of the island is the breeding colony of Bridled Terns. If anyone who reads this ever visits the island please take care not to disturb these birds while they nest. They have no natural predators here, only humans. On our visit we went near the scattered colony in order to rapidly investigate, document this, and make a quick assessment. Ali Alhafez took pictures to use in his KEPS Volunteer Team conservation campaign. We were in a rush to go in the colony, document and leave quietly. Our friend, researcher Dr. James Bishop (Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research) has told me that the problem with visiting the nesting areas during breeding season is that the birds are displaced by the intruding people and leave the eggs exposed to the scorching desert sun. Unprotected eggs heat up about 1 C/minute.  So only minutes are necessary to result in thermal death of the chick embryos.  During the day, the parents "sit" on the eggs to keep them cool, not warm! So the colony needs protection from human intruders!

 I want to extend my deepest THANK YOU to the wonderful people in the Coast Guard, with the sincere hope that these subtropical seas will be protected by them and by the people of Kuwait - for the safeguarding of a globally important Natural Heritage. 

Many thanks!

Dr. Stam Zogaris

Research Travel on Cyprus

May 14th to May 19th 2012.

Again I find my self on my adopted research patch - Cyprus. Away from Athens, far to the East. Once and a while I get to guide resarch associates in the places we study. On this occasion I spent five days on the island - the first three with very good friends from Portugal: Professor Teresa Ferreira and Researcher Pedro Segurado. Next two days were spent with associates in Lefkosia and Lemessos. We discussed biodiversity strategy, mapped perrenial stream reaches, researched chemical pollution effects, visited some eel habitat, and discussed project proposals.

I'll soon post some photos of our activities, just to give an impression of the sort of work we naturalists get tied up in. It was another great trip. Thanks to all who participated!

Ecotourism: Evinos River Rafting

May 4, 2012. A day out with CYA students - rafting one of Greece's most beautiful springtime rivers, the Evinos. The rafting outfit is run by the very capable ALPIN CLUB at Hani Banias, very close to Nafpactos in Western Greece. Its about a 3.5 hour drive from Athens (just 45 minutes from Nafpactos). We left Athens by coach at 7:40 and after an easy drive (and a 20 min. provisions stop) were at Hani Banias at 11:30. Here the adventure begins! We first take a lessen in Rafting by the well-versed crew: Vassilis, Stavros, Alexandros and their local helper Lefteris. We help carry three rafts in the water and...then 22 students and two guides are out. I was leading with my good friend Vassilis Hatzirvassanis. He likes to draw, watch tadpoles, molest snakes, and basically is good at paddling. The university students had a great ride. 11 Kms of river, only up to 2 grade difficulty- totally safe. And as a bonus lots and lots of river swimming. After we got back at Camp we had a good lunch and took off to a nearby gorge for a ravine hike. A mystic Holm oak - Plane forest, again lots of tadpoles, slippery rocks, wild boar tracks. Back by nightfall at the river camp. Alpin Club thanks!