Marine and Environmental Research (MER) Lab

🌊 Join us for Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday! Our colleague Periklis Kleitou @PKleitou will be a panelist on Invasive Species in the Mediterranean. 🗓️ Oct 11, 2024 | 🕒 3-4 PM EEST | 📺 Watch live on YouTube & register for Zoom! 👉 More info: aircentre.org/marine-biodive…

🌊 Introducing Dr. Jason M. Hall-Spencer and Dr. Emanuela Fanelli to the #MesophosProject scientific advisory team! 🔬 @jhallspencer specializes in deep-sea ecosystems and conservation, while @Emanuela_Fanell focuses on marine food webs and elasmobranchs. @Bluemarinef

🤖 Exploring #DeepSea #MarineEcosystems with robots to gather vital data for Cyprus 🌍💙 The #MesophosProject uses our ROV to study mesophotic habitats over 50m deep in Akrotiri, capturing real-time footage and samples. @Bluemarinef @ukgovbluebelt

🌊 Announcing the "Lara-Toxeftra CARE plan"! In collaboration with #DFMR, we’ll develop a 2-year management plan for the Lara-Toxeftra MPA. 🐚 #Cyprus's first #MPA plan, focusing on stakeholder involvement and #climate adaptation. 🌏 Funded by MedPAN Small Projects.

@FiguerolaLaura @CorfunHeatmed @obsdelmar @ICMCSIC @UniBarcelona @IRBioUB @Med_Recover @crislinaresibz @PolCapdevila90 @Yanis_ZM @Paula_LopSen @DaniGomezGras @NuMargarit @JGarrabou Link?

Want to know how we 📈 our knowledge on Mediterranean corals 🪸 distribution and conservation status? 🤔 📍#ISMS2024 #ISMSValencia 🗓 10th July 🕚 12.45h #OdMClimateTour #CorallWeekends @CorfunHeatmed @obsdelmar @ICMCSIC @UniBarcelona @IRBioUB @Med_Recover

@FAOfish @FAO #lionfish

🌍 Excited to share FAO's report on tackling invasive species in a changing climate! 🐠 With Holden E. Harris and @jhallspencer , we presented a case study on managing invasive lionfish and shared lessons in sustainable fisheries management. 🌊 doi.org/10.4060/cd1400…

🗺️ Help us map habitats in #Cyprus’ seas at depths >50 m. 🔍 🪸 Found hard substrates, #reefs, #corals, #sponges >50 m deep? Let us know! 🌊 🚤 Share info and join research with our vessel! 🔬 Funded by the UK government via DARWIN PLUS (DPL00075). #mesophos #MesophosCY

🌊🌐 New Project! Exploring mesophotic ecosystems in Cyprus' UK Overseas Territories. First systematic survey using an ROV to study habitats at 50-200m depths. Funded by #DarwinPlus, partnered with @Bluemarinef🚤🪸 🔍 More: merresearch.com/portfolio/expl… @jhallspencer @ukgovbluebelt

Marine protected areas can increase the abundance of invasive lionfish conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cs… *New Paper* @plymbiolmarsci @MER_Lab_CY @EULIFE_news

Lionfish profilerating in MPAs? Read our recent article: doi.org/10.1111/csp2.1… 🔑 Key Insights: 🚫 No-take zones may inadvertently increase lionfish densities. 📏 MPA measures require multifaceted approaches 🤿 Targeted removals by divers can reduce lionfish populations.

@jhallspencer @OurOceanGreece @IseaOrg No no this is extreme for us hahaha :)

Apparently #invasive blue crab taste good cooked as well. @MER_Lab_CY @OurOceanGreece @IseaOrg

🔬 Yesterday our team presented 'Conservation strategies for elasmobranchs', discussing three vital projects: Life Elife, SAFE-Guitarfish, and Prometheus Life to postgraduate students of the Department of Biological Sciences at the @UCYOfficial #Sharks #Guitarfish 🌊

@Abdulghani_1973 @UN_FAO_GFCM @SPARACinfos @IseaOrg @KubraVarTurk @SGorjanc @medac @medreact @METU_IMS @maria_valls_mir Excellent - keep it up!! :)

Today .. Surprise! Lionfish are now in local stores at great prices for fishermen! Cooking it the Libyan way was delicious - definitely worth a repeat! @UN_FAO_GFCM @SPARACinfos @IseaOrg @MER_Lab_CY @KubraVarTurk @SGorjanc @MEDAC @medreact @METU_IMS @maria_valls_mir

Last week, with @IseaOrg and DFMR Cyprus, we organized '#Shark and #Ray Identification Workshops for National Authorities of Cyprus' as part of @ElifeProject. These workshops engaged officers and fisheries inspectors in identifying and protecting #Elasmobranchs. 🦈

Second day of #Shark & #Ray identification workshops for the fisheries inspectors of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, #Cyprus,organized by MER & @IseaOrg within the framework of @ElifeProject @LIFEprogramme

New #Publication in the journal Ecology and Evolution Led by @giacomo_fish and using RAD seq genomic markers, we've dissected the lionfish population structure within the Mediterranean Sea. Read more: merresearch.com/wp-content/upl…

🦈 Last Friday, Feb 23rd, we hosted with @IseaOrg and DFMR an online "Shark & Ray Identification Workshop for National Authorities in Cyprus" as part of the @LIFEprogramme @ElifeProject 🔍With insights from experts, we focused on species ID, management measures, and enforcement

The two lobes that make up the tail of sharks are asymmetrical, with the upper lobe generally more developed than the lower. Species that live close to the bottom have a much smaller lower lobe or none at all. @algoWatt @SznDohrn @Amp_tavolara @Legambiente @CnrIrbim @MER_Lab_CY

The dorsal fins help the shark to stay on course and prevent it from capsizing while swimming. The pair of pelvic fins on the shark's ventral surface also has a stabilizing function. @algoWatt @SznDohrn @Amp_tavolara @Legambiente @AcquarioGenova @CnrIrbim @MER_Lab_CY