The Ionian Sea is a vibrant home to an incredible diversity of marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, sperm whales, fin whales, and the critically endangered Risso’s dolphin. One of its most fascinating residents, the Cuvier’s beaked whale, holds the record for the deepest dive of any animal on Earth!

Zifios, or Cuvier’s beaked whale is the deepest species on Earth that thrives in areas with distinct underwater features, such as submarine canyons and plains, typically found at depths greater than 1000 meters. It is known for its remarkable diving abilities, reaching depths of nearly 3000 meters and holding its breath for up to 222 minutes! 

Protected under international agreements, efforts are in place to minimize underwater noise in their habitats. In Greece, their protection area is within the Ionian Archipelagos Important Marine Mammal Area, which also shelters the common dolphin and Mediterranean monk seal. Sadly, the Ionian Sea, especially around Corfu, has experienced a rise in marine mammal strandings and a decline in Cuvier’s whale populations due to habitat pressures. 

In partnership with ARION – Cetacean Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Greece, IEF is supporting the “Marine Mammal Strandings Responders: Ionian Sea Network Project (MMSR)” on its mission to enhance the National Marine Wildlife Sightings and Strandings Monitoring Programme (National Stranding Network). Participants will learn marine mammal biology, response protocols, and practical techniques like refloating distressed animals, all under the guidance of certified marine mammal biologists and veterinarians. By building this network, we’re not only safeguarding marine life but also cultivating a sense of stewardship among Ionian islanders, ensuring these incredible species and their habitats are protected for generations to come. 

“The response time to a marine mammal stranding event determines life from death itself. The fastest the response, the greatest the chance for survival. In a greater environmental scale, that’s exactly what determines marine conservation effort from marine conservation success.” Elena Akritopoulou PhD, Project manager, marine mammal biologist (ARION – Cetacean Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre).

 

Corfu establishes its Cetacean Stranding Response Team

The Ionian Environment Foundation (IEF), in collaboration with the Cetacean Rescue and Rehabilitation Research Center “ARION” and under the auspices of the Municipality of North Corfu, proudly supported the formation and training of the Corfu Cetacean Stranding Response Team (ODEK Corfu), the island’s very first local team dedicated to marine mammal strandings. This initiative is part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Responders (MMSR) program of ARION and IEF and marks an important step forward for marine wildlife conservation in the Ionian region.

The team is made up of 36 trained volunteers from all three of Corfu’s municipalities, now fully prepared to respond to cetacean strandings such as dolphins and whales along the island’s coastline.

The workshop had remarkable participation and support from local residents, regional authorities, and key organizations, including:

• Preveza Forest Directorate
• Veterinarians of Corfu
• Civil Protection of the Municipality of North Corfu
• Corfu Sailing Club
• Corfu Environmental Protection Association
• North Corfu Special Missions Rescue Team
• Local diving centers

Volunteers were trained by leading scientists, including the President of the Scientific Committee of the National Network of the Ministry of Environment and Energy for Managing and  Monitoring Marine Wildlife Species Strandings, Prof. Anastasia Komnenou (DVM, PhD, Professor of Exotic and Wildlife Surgery-Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine), the Vice-Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the National Network of the Ministry of Environment and Energy for Managing and  Monitoring Marine Wildlife Species Strandings, Dr. George Gkafas, (Associate Professor of Molecular Biology of Marine Mammal and Fish Conservation, Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment (DIAE), University of Thessaly), Marine Biologist, Elena Akritopoulou (Scientific member of “ARION”, BSc, MSc, PhD(c) Marine Mammal Monitoring Unit – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Aquatic Environment – University of Thessaly) and Dr. Andreas Kyriazis Veterinarian DVM, member of the ARION Veterinarians’ Network.

The event represents a meaningful step toward strengthening local capacity to care for marine wildlife and respond to emergencies in real time. The Ionian Environment Foundation is proud to continue supporting long-term, locally driven environmental solutions for the Ionian Sea.

We are deeply grateful to The A. G. Leventis Foundation for their generous support in making this project a reality.

 

Zakynthos establishes its Cetacean Stranding Response Team

The Ionian Environment Foundation, in partnership with the Cetacean Rescue and Rehabilitation Research Center “ARION” – the national Coordinator of Cetacean Strandings in Greece member of the National Network for Managing and Monitoring Marine Wildlife Species Strandings– supported the successful creation and training of the Zakynthos Cetacean Stranding Response Team (ODEK Zakynthos). The initiative was under the auspice of the Department of Environment of the Ionian University, as part of the broader ARION/IEF Marine Mammal Stranding Responders (MMSR) program.

Zakynthos now joins the Ionian network of trained response teams, with 12 dedicated local volunteers prepared to respond to stranding or entanglement events involving dolphins, whales, and other cetaceans. The creation of this team represents a crucial step forward, as Zakynthos is one of the few regions in Greece with historically limited official stranding data and response infrastructure in such events.

The training program was carried out with the support of the local community, the Ionian Islands Regional Government, the Deputy Regional Unit of Zakynthos, and the Municipality of Zakynthos, alongside several key institutions and stakeholders. Notable contributions came from the:

• Management Unit of Zakynthos and Ainos National Parks and Protected Areas of the Ionian islands / Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (NECCA)
• Department of Environment and Veterinary Services of the Municipality of Zakynthos
• Port Authority of Zakynthos
• Local diving centers
• ARCHELON – The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece
• The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) – Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes
• Academic staff and students from the Ionian University

 

Members of the Zakynthos ODEK received specialized training from leading scientists in marine mammal conservation, including, Professor Dr. Anastasia Komninou – Chair of the Scientific Committee of the National Marine Wildlife Stranding Network, Professor of Exotic and Wild Animal Medicine (School of Veterinary, Aristotle University), and President of ARION, Dr. Aimilia Drougas – Marine biologist, geologist-oceanographer, Ministry of Environment and Energy, and Co-founder of ARION and Elena Akritopoulou – Marine biologist, MMSR Program Leader, and Scientific Member of ARION and PhD(c) University of Thessaly).

The training included lectures, response protocols, and fieldwork components, equipping participants to act effectively in stranding situations across Zakynthos’ coastline. The next phase of the project will focus on providing the team with necessary response equipment and further training.

The initiative reflects a growing commitment to protecting marine biodiversity and fostering environmental stewardship at the community level.