The Tethys Research Institute engages in the following activities:
Long-term field research projects having a remarkable impact at the local and regional levels
Publication of scientific contributions in professional journals
Participation in scientific conferences and workshops and exchange of information with Mediterranean and European experts and organizations active in the areas of marine conservation and cetacean research
Capacity building, environmental education and public awareness.
The work by Tethys aims to produce a better understanding of problems affecting the marine environment, to be used to support effective conservation strategies.
Tethys has been active since 1986 in several areas around the world. At present, most activities take place in the Mediterranean in the context of long-term research projects conducted in the Ligurian, Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
Long-term research projects include:
Cetacean Sanctuary Research
Pelagos Sanctuary
Ionian Dolphin Project
Eastern Ionian Sea: Amvrakikos Gulf, Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago, Gulf of CorinthApulia Dolphin Project
Southern Adriatic Sea and Western Ionian SeaVenice Dolphin Project / Adriatic Dolphin Project
Northern Adriatic Sea
Results from these and other studies are regularly presented through scientific publications and presentations at international conferences and workshops.
Tethys collaborators are scattered across Italy, Greece and other European countries. While there is no single place where all Tethys researchers can be found at once, some of them may happen to be clustered at one of the offices and field stations in Italy and Greece, shown in the map above, or be on a boat at sea.
The main offices and land bases include:
Office at the Milan Aquarium, Italy
Management of Tethys Research InstituteField station in Vonitsa, Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece
Ionian Dolphin ProjectField station in Galaxidi, Gulf of Corinth, Greece
Ionian Dolphin Project
Several researchers have chosen to turn a part of their house into an office-laboratory-library and to work from home. This does not prevent them from spending much of their time communicating with colleagues through email, skype and telephone.
After over 20 years of work and many projects conducted around the world, it is hard to keep track of everything Tethys did in terms of research, public awareness, capacity building, conservation and management. While the published work represents a meaningful record, a comprehensive report of all the activities conducted so far would be hard to compile.
Some years ago we tried to come up with a comprehensive report (see obsolete overview below) but it took so much effort that eventually we decided to spend our time doing, rather than reporting what we do.
Still, long-term projects keep track of their activities and compile annual reports that are routinely sent to sponsors and supporters. Please find more information about activities done in the context of ongoing projects in the specific sections of this web site:
Venice Dolphin Project / Adriatic Dolphin Project
An obsolete overview of past activities:
Awareness, education and capacity building