Endemic Fish / Related projects

07 Jul

07/07/2023

The Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP) was established in 1991 by two visionaries, Dr Luc Hoffman and Thymios Papayannis, who wanted to create an organisation that would work collaboratively to protect Prespa's remarkable nature and culture, through scientific principles and dialogue, ensuring that all those who strived for the conservation of this incredible and biodiverse corner of SE Europe spoke with a single and effective voice. Many partners and...

05 Jul

05/07/2023

The principal aim of this project was to improve the conservation status of the Dalmatian pelican and the pygmy cormorant, but the activities also directly benefited at least 18 other species covered by the Birds Directive. The main actions included the reconstruction of a sluicegate that channels water from Lesser Prespa Lake (Mikri Prespa) into Great Prespa Lake (Megali Prespa), in order to improve water-level management of the former; the...

05 Jul

05/07/2023

“How many know in all its dimensions the role that fish and fisheries have played in the shaping of Prespa both in the past and today? How many know that the fish fauna of Prespa are unique and that the tasty fish that they might enjoy on their plate exists nowhere else in the world? How many know the close relationship between the wealth of birdlife to be found in...

04 Jul

04/07/2023

Fish are such an important feature of Prespa because of the high level of endemism or uniqueness of the species that live in its lakes. Twenty three species of fish have been found in the Lesser and Great Prespa Lakes, out of which 9 species, or sub-species, are local or regional endemics, including the endangered Prespa trout, and for this reason they are protected by European and national legislation. These...

14 Jun

14/06/2023

In a nutshell, this project addresses a large proportion of the programme of the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP) for the overall conservation and protection of Greek and transboundary Prespa, as foreseen in the organisation’s Strategic Framework for the period 2023-2027, as well as support for core administrative and managerial work. These efforts aim to contribute to achieving the long-term goals set out in the previous strategic framework,...

20 Apr

20/04/2023

The Prespa basin is located at the borders between Greece, Albania and Macedonia. It is surrounded by mountains and contains two lakes. The Prespa lakes contain around 23 species of fish, including nine that are endemic. Native carp are important to the fishery sector. However, the introduction of non-native species poses a threat to the structure of endemic fish populations. Long-term monitoring has shown, for example, that Prussian carp (Carassius...

22 Mar

22/03/2023

The gradual reduction of traditional animal husbandry over time, combined with various practical problems, has gradually limited the extent of the managed surfaces around Lesser Prespa Lake. Due to reduced water inflows, mainly because of climate change, the lake’s water level no longer rises sufficiently enough to create wet meadows, and this is leading to further shrinkage of waterbird feeding grounds. In 2016, the Society for the Protection of Prespa...

20 Mar

20/03/2023

Despite their seemingly small length and significance, Prespa’s streams and river, together with their distinct riparian vegetation and habitats, are ecologically important biodiversity hotspots and a valuable source of water and life for Prespa, the lakes and their adjacent wetlands. Aiming to better understand and promote the functions and values of these waterways and riparian habitats on the Greek side of Prespa, the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP)...