Somewhere in the open seas of the Ionian, mother sperm whales are babysitting the young of other females in the pod, while they descend to the deep dark underwater canyons in search of deep-water squid. During their dive, they use a complicated echolocation system that transmits sound and receives images, similar to sonar, to locate their prey.

Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), the third largest animal on the planet, with the largest brain that has ever been recorded, have found an ideal home in the Greek seas. Females and their young live in social groups that may reach pods of up to 13 individuals, while males lead a solitary life. Within these social groups, the young animals learn to dive, locate food, and protect themselves or work together. Sperm whales are cetaceans, such as other species found in Greek waters including Cuvier beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and dolphin species, and are on the top of the marine trophic chain playing an important role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem. 

It is not easy to be a cetacean, especially a sperm whale these days though..! These supreme hunters of the marine food chain and regulators of the health of the marine environment are threatened with extinction due to anthropogenic activities. The main threats they face are increased maritime traffic, reduced fish supply due to overfishing, degradation of their habitats, pollution (plastic and chemical), underwater noise caused by seismic tests for hydrocarbon extraction, and naval exercises. A characteristic example is that in recent years, 50% of stranded cetaceans have collided with ships.

Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), the third largest animal on the planet, with the largest brain that has ever been recorded, have found an ideal home in the Greek seas. Females and their young live in social groups that may reach pods of up to 13 individuals, while males lead a solitary life. Within these social groups, the young animals learn to dive, locate food, and protect themselves or work together. 

However, these higher predators of the marine food chain and regulators of the marine environment’s health are in danger of extinction. Sounds produced by humans, such as through seismic surveys for hydrocarbon developments, military exercises, and ship propellers, cause lethal injuries. Climate change, driftnet fishing, and oil and plastic pollution have a devastating impact on their survival.

We work with experts from Greece and around the world, to identify, document, and highlight the issues faced by sperm whales and other cetaceans. In 2018 we participated in the largest scale Mediterranean survey, the “ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative” (ASI), and together with other national and international researchers we recorded through the air and sea the presence, distribution, and movements of cetaceans and human activities in the Greek seas.

Through our field work, and the significant long-term efforts of other specialists and our collaborators, such as the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, we have discovered the value of the Hellenic Trench, the marine area extending from the Ionian to Rhodes. Since then, the protection of the Hellenic Trench has been at the center of our efforts. In 2019, at the 5th International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, which we co-organized with the IUCN MMPA Task Force in Greece, we joined voices with the international community to raise in the global conservation agenda the importance of the Hellenic Trench as a hotspot for marine biodiversity, and recognize its threats, as well as to propose tangible solutions for its protection.

Today, we continue prioritizing the protection of sperm whales and other cetaceans within and outside Marine Protected Areas, with a focus in the Hellenic Trench by advocating against harmful activities, namely on hydrocarbon developments, and shipping. Regarding shipping, and fatal collisions of large ships with sperm whales, we have managed over the years together with scientific and environmental organizations, the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and Ocean Care and synergies with the shipping sector and authorities to achieve small but significant victories by making minor adjustments to routes -shifting and/or reducing the speed- of large ships passing through the most important areas for sperm whales.AcThe proposed adjustments involve minimal costs but can protect this unique species.

As a result of the coordinated and persistent effort by WWF Greece in cooperation with its partners and with the support of the relevant Ministries and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, since 2021, “Notices to Mariners” are being transmitted by the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service to ships transiting the area.These notices inform mariners of the existence of the marine mammals, drawing their attention to avoid collisions with them. In 2023, we also managed to include these Notices in the Guidelines for British navigators, which are used by the majority of passing ships. Additionally, the proposed measures to avoid these areas are supported and promoted by both Greek and international shipping associations, and are voluntarily implemented by major international shipping companies. 

We are also fighting against hydrocarbon activities (testing and extraction), which threaten the marine environment and endangered species. Cetaceans are at risk of hearing loss, behavior change, and/or death from seismic surveys conducted to locate  oil and gas, while in case of an accident, ingestion, contact, or oil pollution the consequences may even be fatal.

Project leader: Nicole Godsil

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