Albania Overboard is a 3 km charity sea swim, coast to coast, from Albania to Corfu. The funds raised by the swim will turbocharge the actions of the Ionian Environment Foundation’s marine conservation projects. Four meaningful and effective projects are being championed by this swim - from monitoring dolphins, monksea;s and Posidonia meadows mapping to delivering sustainable sailing guides to tourists and charter companies. The projects all promote the long-term viability and health of the beautiful Ionian Sea through which we will swim.

Protecting Dolphins in the Ionian

The Ionian Dolphin Project focuses on the conservation of dolphins in the Ionian region, where the population faces threats like habitat degradation and accidental entanglement in fishing gear. Over 30 years, the project has gathered crucial data, including observations of individual dolphins like "Spiti," a male bottlenose dolphin with a severely injured dorsal fin. Despite this injury, Spiti has been observed over the years, showcasing the healing process and resilience of these marine mammals. The project aims to inform effective management strategies, foster collaboration with local stakeholders, and promote sustainable practices to safeguard the future of marine biodiversity in the region.

Safeguarding the Mediterranean monk seal

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is an incredibly rare marine mammal, with fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining globally. Threatened by displacement, habitat loss, deliberate killing, and entanglement in fishing gear, this species faces significant challenges. Starting in spring 2021, with support from the IEF, Archipelagos launched monk seal projects in Corfu, identifying caves as potential resting sites. This research revealed the first evidence of monk seals using caves around Corfu for resting. Building on this success, IEF in collaboration with Blue Marine Foundation is supporting the team to expand their efforts this year, identifying additional potential locations along the north and northeast coasts of Corfu. By better understanding the importance of these caves, we aim to enhance conservation efforts for this species. We are pleased to announce recent sightings indicate a remarkable recovery, with an increase in monk seal sightings in Greek waters. This positive trend underscores the impact of dedicated conservation work, offering hope for the future of the Mediterranean monk seal.

Sustainable Sailing Phase 2

While practised by many sea lovers, recreational boating can harm the marine environment and coastal communities. The Ionian region has seen a huge growth in boats available for charter. Still, very limited information is available for users on good practices and how to avoid actions that will damage the marine environment, especially the destruction of Posidonia meadows.

In 2023, Phase 1 of the Sustainable Sailing project aims to educate boat users on responsible practices through the Sustainable Sailing Pack, which includes information on marine conservation, avoiding damage to Posidonia meadows, and supporting conservation efforts such as reporting mammal sightings. Download the guide [here]. Building on the success of the Sustainable Sailing Guide distributed to over 350 charter boats, Phase 2 of the project, this year, focuses on reducing plastic production by partnering with water companies and promoting recycling facilities in marinas. Also, efforts will support installing eco-moorings to minimize anchorage impacts on seagrass meadows.

Reposidonia Phase 2

The endemic seagrass species Posidonia oceanica plays a crucial role in the Mediterranean basin, serving as a productive marine habitat for species such as seahorses and a significant carbon sink. Despite this, many areas remain poorly documented and threatened by anthropogenic activities such as recreational boating and bottom trawling. With the support of the IEF, iSea has identified two key areas, including Erimitis in Northeast Corfu and the Inner Ionian Archipelago, where posidonia distribution has been mapped and designated under various conservation statuses due to their ecological importance. Through data analysis and satellite imagery, iSea identified anchorage as a major threat to these meadows, particularly in the Inner Ionian Archipelago and other popular tourist destinations, exceeding the capacity of port facilities. Through this project, iSea will map the Posidonia meadows most impacted by anchoring pressures in the Ionian Sea, to assess the impacts of anchorage in Erimitis area and islets in the Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago

Thank you for reading through! IEF is so thankful for the support of Albania Overboard for the 4th year in a row! And we look forward to swimming with you!