Researchers document sperm whale in the Ikaria Trench

Researchers from the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation documented a large male sperm whale in the Ikaria Trench during a mission aboard the research vessel "Triton". The footage, released in late October 2026, captures the whale surfacing and diving into the deep waters of the Aegean Sea. The team identified the animal as a familiar visitor to the area, noting its presence during their ongoing field monitoring efforts.

The Ikaria Trench, located between the islands of Ikaria, Chios, and Samos, is considered one of the Mediterranean's most significant underwater canyons. With depths reaching between 1,100 and 1,400 meters, it provides a critical habitat and migratory corridor for deep-diving marine mammals. The Archipelagos Institute has been studying this ecologically rich area for over 25 years, noting that it hosts at least seven different species of marine life.

While the region holds international environmental importance, it remains relatively unknown to the general public. The institute continues its systematic observation of the trench to protect its biological diversity and track the migration patterns of whales and dolphins within this unique marine ecosystem.