ANDROS AT SEA

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1 ANDROS Andros is the second largest island in the Cyclades, after Naxos. It stands out from the other islands because of its diverse natural environment (It experiences intense and frequent rainfalls, and is full of rivulets, streams, springs and canyons). The island has a huge variety of habitats; remarkable and unique in the Cyclades are the chestnut forests and the riparian clusters of willows and populus. Andros has a total of 13 small wetlands (less than 80 acres)that can be found in the areas of Vitali, Achla, Aladinou, Paraporti, Gialia, Fellos, Kandouni, Gavrio, Lefka, Rozzo, Plouska (Gides), Ambalou (Megali Peza), Kremmides, as well as 3 larger ones at Zorkos, Ateni and Vori. In the northern part of the island, Vitali bay, the main island bay and the southern part have been designated as 'Sites of Community Importance' and 'Special Protection Areas' which combined form the European Network of Protected Natural Areas of Andros Natura The island s coastal zone is covered with indented shores and small islets. These small uninhabited islets are, without exaggeration, the crown jewel for the Aegean biodiversity. They harbor the precious and unaffected ecosystems of the archipelago and are a habitat for dozens of species of endemic plants and animals that give them a global significance. Furthermore they act as nesting habitats for many rare species of seabirds and bird predators. AT SEA 1 Posidonia meadows, "the lungs of the sea": Posidonia oceanica is an endemic and emblematic seagrass species of the Mediterranean Sea with enormous significance. It is a unique marine ecosystem with productivity equal to that of the Amazon forests and coastal wetlands. It binds significant amounts of CO2 and it enriches the water and the atmosphere with oxygen. Furthermore it provides shelter and breeding ground for numerous marine organisms (such as fish and invertebrates) and protects the seabed and shores from erosion by stabilizing sediments in the coastal zone. Posidonia meadows grow extremely slowly, just a few centimeters per year, and some of them age thousands or even tens of thousands of years! One can find them in shallow and flat seabeds but if there is extreme clarity they can even surpass the depth of 40 meters. 1

2 The vulnerable Tragana: an extremely vulnerable and unknown habitat of the Mediterranean Sea, also known as the Rhodolithic Sea Bed. It grows in sandy seabeds at depths more than 30 meters, with high biological and functional diversity. People know very little about its ecological and economic importance because these ecosystems remain mostly unknown and uncharted in Greece. Surveys in the Atlantic have shown that they provide shelter, breeding ground and food to organisms such as scallops, sea urchins, starfish, cods, lobsters, dentexes, epinephelus, red porgies, red mullets, scorpaena and common Pandora. ( Α. Βοnetti/WWF Ελλάς) MARINE MAMMALS The presence and existence of marine mammals is an integral part of marine biodiversity. It reveals and it relates to the overall health of the marine environment. In particular, because they are superior predators, marine mammals accumulate in their bodies pollutants from the entire trophic grid. Their health is affected and, ultimately, the degradation of the marine environment is visible through the reduction of their populations. From the 14 special of marine mammals that had been observed, only 9 have a permanent habitat in the Greek seas. These are: the Mediterranean monk seal, the Common bottlenose dolphin, the Striped dolphin, the Risso's dolphin, the Common dolphin, the Fin whale, the Sperm whale, the Cuvier's beaked whale and the Harbour porpoise. The remaining 5 have been spotted only occasionally in Greek waters. The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), [Status: Endangered likely to become extinct in the near future]. It prefers remote and safe sea caves where it can find shelter for itself and its cubs. Greece with its multifarious coastline hosts a significant number of seals, which spread to large areas of the Aegean, mainly around marine protected areas such as Sporades and Gyaros. It feeds on cephalopods and mainly on octopuses. Colours: Brown-beige and gray-silver the females, dark gray or black with a distinct white area on the belly the males. About half of the world's population of the Mediterranean monk seal lives and reproduces in the Greek seas, approximately around individuals. Their population trend is increasing. ( A.Bonetti/WWF Greece)

3 The Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), [Status: Vulnerable likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve]. Its back is of dark gray colour with lighter sideway and without any distinguished patterns or lines. It is the second largest dolphin in the Greek seas, with a maximum total length of 3,30 m. the males and 3,20 m. the females. It is flexible and adaptable when it comes to its diet. It is an opportunistic predator and feeds on benthic fish (cod, mackerel, chickpeas etc.), molluscs (octopus and cuttlefish) and flatfish (e.g. sardines). It can reach speeds of over 30 km/h. It can hold its breath for 8 minutes and dive to 600 m. of depth, while it can jump 8-9 m above water. ( Andrey Nekrasov / WWF-Canon) The Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), [Status: Vulnerable]. It is the most abundant and often encountered cetacean in the Greek seas and the Mediterranean. It stands out due to a thin black line or "belt" that starts from the eye and is goes to the genitals. From the side you can identify three lines along the animal. It is the world's smallest species of dolphins. It feeds mainly on squid and near surface fishes like anchovies. It usually dives down to 200 m. and can reach speeds of km/h. The maximum recorded speed is 60 km/h. ( C.Papadas) The Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), [Status: Vulnerable]. Its whole colour is gray, that at an older age turns almost completely white, while bearing many tooth marks caused by other dolphins that have probably been preserved throughout its life. Its head is round and has no apparent muzzle. It is the largest in size compared to the other dolphins with a total length of 3.30 m. It feeds on squid and occasional fish. It is not found in the Cyclades. ( Sabina Airoldi / Tethys) The Sort-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), [Status: Endangered a high risk of extinction from its natural environment in the immediate future]. It has four colours, black, yellow-beige, gray and white, forming a V on its body beneath the fin. It is very hydrodynamic with maximum total length 2.27 m. It feeds on fish such as anchovies, sardines, frias, zergana and squid. It was once the most widespread species in the Mediterranean. It dives down to 300 m. and can remain underwater for more than 8 minutes, while it can easily reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. ( Brian J. Skerry / National Geographic Stock / WWF)

4 The Fin whale, (Balaenoptera physalus), [Status Data deficient]. Its colour ranges from gray - silver to dark gray on the back, with a white belly. It is the second largest animal on the planet and the largest cetacean in Greece and the Mediterranean, with a length of m. and a weight of around 75 tons. The blowhole area is its prominent characteristic consisting of two symmetrical and independent nostrils that are slightly raised. It has a vertical exhalation that reaches 6 m. height and is visible from more than 2 n.m. distance. It feeds on krill, a species of zooplankton similar to small shrimps. It is the fastest type of whale, with a maximum speed of 37 km/h. It can dive for 5-15 minutes long and can exceed 468 m. in depth. It does not pull her tail out of water before it dives. ( naturepl.com/mark Carwardine / WWF) The Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), [Status - Endangered]. It is the third largest animal on the planet. It is the animal with the largest brain weighing 8 pounds. Its head is ¼ - ⅓ of its total length and its body resembles a submarine. Its maximum total length is m. It feeds on medium and deep pelagic squid (not related to the squid species known to humans) found in depths greater than 200 and 1,000 meters. In Greece their number does not exceed that of 250 individuals. It can dives up to 2,000 m. of depth, for minutes up to 90 minutes long. It pulls its tail out of the water before diving. ( Brian J. Skerry / National Geographic Stock / WWF) The Cuvier s beaked whale, (Ziphius cavirostris) [Status - Data Deficient]. The inaccessible Ziphius dives for long periods of time and it does not approach vessels. The colour of the males ranges from dark gray to olive-green and the females from dark gray to gray-brown, with a length of 5.2 m. It feeds on deep- and medium-pelagic squids, and is found in the same areas as the sperm whale. It can dive to a depth of 2,000 or 3,000 meters and stay below the water for up to 90 minutes. It looks like a big and somewhat "primitive" dolphin. ( naturepl.com / Todd Pusser / WWF)

5 coast.( naturepl.com/florian Graner/ WWF) The Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), [Status: Endangered]. It is a special kind of cetacean, for which we know very little. It is very small in size, shy, and lives only 24 years. Its size is small with the absence of a prominent snout. Females are larger than males, 1.57 m and 1.35 m respectively. It feeds on fish such as anchovy and goosebirds, and lives very close to the REPTILES Sea turtles live in coastal areas and some venture into the open sea. Moreover, they feed mainly on invertebrates which they find at the ocean floor. They almost never come ashore, except from the females who return to land to lay their eggs. ( Joakim Odelberg) ON LAND Seabirds: The European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) is not identified with the classic image of seabirds. It can often be recognized as a black figure standing on coastal rocks or swimming in the water half submerged. It prefers rocky shores from which it rarely flies away from. Its diet consists of fish that it catches when diving up to 60 m of depth. When full, it hacks a habit of sitting with half-open wings on the coastal rocks. It doesn t migrate and in Andros it nests along the coastline of the island. About 60 couples live in Andros. The Audouin s gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) is a species of gull endemic to the Mediterranean, easily recognizable from its deep red beak and its dark-coloured legs. It nestles exclusively on the uninhabited islets of the Aegean, away from human presence. It differs from other gulls, since it frequents exclusively in the coastal areas, in the deserted coasts and it avoids the hinterland. It feeds near the shores, mainly with small fishes which live near the surface of the water. It catches them with a very skilful technique, by flying slowly and very low over the water. It often approaches fishing boats to feed on the fishes which are thrown away. Andros hosts couples of the Audouin s gull.

6 The Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) is a migrant type of bird. It comes to the Mediterranean in March and leaves by October in order to winter in the south of the Atlantic Ocean. It doesn t choose a specific area but it moves constantly over long distances. It feeds on fish and squids which it catches on the surface of the sea and by diving up to a few meters under water The Yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan) looks similar to the Scopoli s shearwater. However, it is smaller, with a less aerodynamic shape. It feeds on small fish and it traverses significant distances under water, where it moves using its s wings. It nestles on islets, and the parent-birds visit their nest every night. At dusk, they gather in the sea, near the breeding islets and wait until for the dark. Most of them, by the end of the breeding season, fly to the Black Sea to return to the Aegean Sea in October. The European storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) has the size of a swallow and is one of the smallest seabirds. It is a solitary species which flies low over the water s surface. Predators: The Eleonora s Flacon (Falco eleonorae), probably the most emblematic bird species of Greece has its residence in the islets of Andros. These hawks winter in Madagascar to return back to Andros and to other islands of the Aegean to nest. Taking into account that more than 85% of the world s population of this species nests in several Greek islets, the importance of the Aegean Sea, therefore of Andros, for its protection, is comprehensible. Andros hosts approximately 180 couples of Eleonora s falcon. Bonelli s eagle (Aquila fasciata), is a typical Mediterranean bird species and one of the largest eagles in Greece. During the 20 th century, its population suffered a dramatic decline, mainly due to the excessive use of pesticides, the degradation or the loss of its natural habitat, along with the prompt pursuit. In Greece, the population of this species accedes to couples. Andros is considered to be a lucky island, since it hosts 2-3 couples of this grand bird.

7 Andros hosts a good number of Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus). It is similar in appearance to the Bonelli s eagke, but it is larger and more robust. It prefers mountainous regions and it feeds on small rodents, reptiles and birds. Lastly, Andros is also important migratory small-birds which are typical of the Mediterranean shrubs, using the island s various habitats, wetlands, forests, cultivations and the chaparrals as resting and resupplying stations during their long trip to Africa. THREATS The threats that marine mammals face are directly or indirectly human-related and can be categorized as follows: Prey depletion. Depletion of food resources, caused by the direct and indirect effects of fishing activities, illegal fishing and overfishing. Accidental takes in fishery activities (Bycatch). Mortality or injury inflicted through the accidental entanglement in fishing gear of all types (including passive and active nets, longlines, traps, discarded or lost nets and lines, gear accessories, etc.) and illegal fishing practices (e.g., use of dynamite). Intentional and direct takes. Killing or capture of cetaceans for use of products for human consumption or other, live capture, hostile acts provoked by actual or perceived damage to fishing activities, sport, and no apparent reason.. Collisions and accidents with vessels. Mortality or injury inflicted through collisions with the hull, prow, propeller blades, rudder or any other part of a vessel.. Disturbance. Behavioural disruption through intentional or non-intentional approaches, likely or proven to induce long-term effects in the population. Acoustic pollution (noise). Mortality or injury deriving from exposure to impulsive or prolonged man-made sound reaching noxious intensity and/or frequency levels. Ingestion of solid debris. Mortality or injury deriving from the ingestion of foreign objects and materials, such as plastic, wood, textiles, etc. (in general obstructing part of the digestive tract)..

8 Contamination by xenobiotic compounds. Accumulation in the body tissues (mostly through the food web) of xenobiotics (including POPs and trace elements) known to adversely affect mammalian functions and health. Oil pollution. Mortality or health problems deriving from contamination, contact or ingestion of hydrocarbons deriving from oil spills and oil derivates at sea. Ecosystem change. Impacts deriving from habitat degradation caused by coastal development and other direct or indirect changes in the ecosystem resulting from human activities (e.g. eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, prey depletion resulting from habitat degradation, alien species invasion). Climate change. Likeliness that the population will be affected by changes in the ecosystem deriving from climate change

9 We would like to thank WWF Hellas, The Thalassa Campaign: Learn, Act, Protect and Life Andros, for the valuable information and picture which they provided. Created by the Green Team of Andros s Yacht Club for the Clean Regattas Program Rani Zouganeli Natalia Markianou Ariadne Markouizou Alexandra Petroutsou Kyriakos Spiliopoulos

10 WRECKAGE Andros Island, and especially its northern part, facing the Kafireas straits (Cavo D Oro), and Euboea Island, is susceptible to marine pollution due to excessive marine traffic. Over the last two years two large shipwrecks caused great environmental damage. Specifically, in February 2015 and December 2016 two cargo ships, the M/V GOODFAITH and the M/V CABRERA, ran aground on the shores of Andros, in the areas of Peza and Kambanos respectively. Thousands of tons of diesel fuel, cargo of iron ore and sheet steel plates were scattered at sea or sank into the deep depths of the area, causing irreversible environmental damage both to the island and to the marine ecosystem. Unfortunately, apart from the exceptional incidents of shipwrecks, the worst is the frequent, wrongful and illegal practice of ships (MARPOL ANNEX 1) sailing the area, discharging their used oils and/or fuel at sea, with the currents sea leading them to the islands shores, usually those of Andros or Euboea, or even to the rest of the Aegean sea. This practice poses a serious risk to the marine environment, causing the death to numerous living organisms disturbing the ecosystem and our direct relationship with it. The sea is a source of life! Unfortunately, it is still rooted in the thoughts of many that the sea is a great big garbage disposal. That everything that is thrown in to her is gone, disappears and no longer exists. How flawed can this irrational thought be! And the only certainty is that everything that is thrown away, no matter how small or insignificant we believe it is, it will return in multitude against us. Without water there is no life. Without blue there is no green. Sylvia Earle. Kyriakos B. Spiliopoulos