Machias Athanassios
Position: Research Director
Contact Info
Institute: Marine Biological Resources
Address: HCMR, Agios Kosmas, 16604 Hellinikon, Greece
Email:amachias@hcmr.gr
Tel: +30 2109856702
Telex: +30 2109811713
Website:
Athanassios earned his doctoral and master’s degrees in Marine Biology from the Biology Department, University of Crete, Greece. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. He has completed his doctoral training in the Fisheries Biology group at the Biology Department of the University of Crete. His thesis work focused on the anatomical and biological factors affecting the Target Strength of sardine.
Athanassios has been involved in a wide range of fisheries projects. He has coordinated a series of European projects regarding the discards and discarding procedure of professional trawlers of Eastern and Central Mediterranean Sea, publishing several papers on this issue for the specific area. In addition he has investigated the interaction between fisheries and aquaculture and his work has been published in a series of scientific papers, indicated the positive effect of aquaculture to the fish production in the oligotrophic waters such as those of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. He is also responsible for the Greek Fisheries Data Collection in the framework of the Data Collection Framework.
He has also coordinated or was involved in several projects for the estimation of small pelagic fish stocks biomass by means of acoustics. He is an active member of the stock assessment study groups in the Mediterranean region i.e., GFCM, FAO-EastMed, facilitator of MEDIAS (pan-Mediterranean Acoustic Surveys) in the framework of Data Collection Framework, providing Management plans and advice to the Greek government.
Athanassios has been coordinator in 12 European and 7 National projects and he has been involved in the implementation another 19 national and international research programmes which have led to collaborative work with scientists in most Mediterranean countries. During this time he has published about 50 peer reviewed papers and written about 150 non-peer reviewed papers, working documents and contract reports. He regularly reviews papers for a range of journals. He is has been participating in the MSc courses in the Biology Department of the University of Crete, Greece; and up to now has supervised 25 Post-graduate students rotations, 12 M.Sc. students and 3 PhD students.
• Ph.D., Marine Biology, University of Crete, Greece, 1994
• M.Sc., Marine Biology, University of Crete, Greece, 1989
• B.Sc., Biology, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, 1983
Professional Profile
• 2007-today: Director of Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources, HCMR, Athens, Greece
• 2003-2007: Main Researcher, Institute of Marine Biological Resources, HCMR, Iraklion, Greece
• 2002-2003: Main Researcher, Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Iraklion, Greece
• 1999-2002: Assistant Researcher, Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Iraklion, Greece
• 1994-1999: Post doc Researcher, Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Iraklion, Greece
Scientific and Professional Memberships
• Member of the GENERAL FISHERIES COMMISSION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
• 2007-2009: Coordinator of the Pan-Mediterranean Acoustic Survey (MEDIAS)
• 2000-2006 Member of the monitoring committee of the “Operational Greek Fisheries Program 2000-2006” Research Interests
Dr. Machias’s research interests mainly concern the Fisheries Ecology scientific field including physical/biological interactions in marine ecosystems, fish discards research, interaction between fisheries and aquaculture, fisheries acoustics, small pelagic fish behaviour and population dynamics, stock assessment modelling, essential fish habitat determination and ecosystem based modelling. She intends to focus her future research on the assessment of climate and anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems and the essential fish habitat focusing in particularly on the interactions between small pelagic populations and climate change.
• Giannoulaki M., Pyrounaki M. M., Liorzou B., Leonori I., Valavanis D. V., Tsagarakis K Bigot J.L., Roos D., De Felice A., Campanella F., Somarakis S., Arneri E., and Machias A., Habitat suitability modelling for sardine (Sardina pilchardus) juveniles in the Mediterranean Sea. Fisheries Oceanography, 20(5): 367-382 (2011)
• Antonakakis K., M. Giannoulaki, A. Machias, S. Somarakis, S. Sanchez, L. Ibaibarriaga and A. Uriarte. 2011. Assessment of the sardine (Sardina pilchardus Walbaum, 1792) fishery in the eastern Mediterranean basin (North Aegean Sea). Mediterranean Marine Science, In press
• Somarakis, S., Schismenou, E., Siapatis, A., Giannoulaki, M., Kallianiotis, A., Machias, A. 2011 High variability in the Daily Egg Production Method parameters of an eastern Mediterranean anchovy stock: Influence of environmental factors, fish condition and population density. Fisheries Research In Press
• Giannoulaki M, M. M. Pyrounaki, B. Liorzou, I. Leonori, V. Valavanis, K. Tsagarakis, J. L. Bigot, D. Roos, A. De Felice, F. Campanella, S. Somarakis, E. Arneri, and A. Machias. 2011. Habitat suitability modelling for sardine juveniles (Sardina pilchardus) in the Mediterranean Sea. Fish. Oceanogr. 20:5, 367–382
• Somarakis S., S. Isari and A. Machias. 2011. Larval fish assemblages in coastal waters of central Greece: reflections of topographic and oceanographic heterogeneity. Scientia Marina 75(3), 605-618
• K. Tsagarakis, M. Coll, M. Giannoulaki, S. Somarakis, C. Papaconstantinou, A. Machias. 2010. Food-web traits of the North Aegean Sea ecosystem (Eastern Mediterranean) and comparison with other Mediterranean ecosystems. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 88, 233-248.
• Siapatis, A., Giannoulaki, M., Valavanis, V.D., Palialexis, A., Schismenou, E., Machias, A., Somarakis, S., 2008, Modelling potential habitat of the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi inVi Aegean Sea. Hydrobiologia 612 (1), 281-295.
• Tsagarakis, K., Machias, A., Somarakis, S., Giannoulaki, M., Palialexis, A., Valavanis, V.D., 2008. Habitat discrimination of juvenile sardines in the Aegean Sea using remotely sensed environmental data. Hydrobiologia 612 (1), 215-223.
• Giannoulaki, M., Valavanis, V.D., Palialexis, A., Tsagarakis, K., Machias, A., Somarakis, S., Papaconstantinou, C. 2008. Modelling the presence of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the Aegean Sea during early summer, based on satellite environmental data. Hydrobiologia 612 (1), 225-240.
• K.Tsagarakis, A. Machias, M. Giannoulaki, S. Somarakis, I. Karakassis. 2008. Trends in metrics of fish community for bottom trawl discards in a Mediterranean ecosystem. Submitted in ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 559 – 550
• Machias A, Stergiou KI, Somarakis S, Karpouzu VS, Kapantagakis A. 2008. Trends in trawl and purse seine catch rates in the north-eastern Mediterranean. 9(1), 49-65.
• Stergiou, K., Machias, A., Somarakis, S. and Kapantagakis, A. 2007. Multivariate analysis of fisheries catch per day in Greek waters. In: Zeller, D. and Pauly, D. (eds.) Reconstruction of marine fisheries catches for key countries and regions (1950-2005). Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia; Fisheries Centre Research Reports 15(2): 139-148
• Ganias K., S. Somarakis, C. Koutsikopoulos, A. Machias. 2007. Factors affecting the spawning period of sardine in two highly oligotrophic Seas. Marine Biology, 151(4), 1559-1569.
• Machias A., M. Giannoulaki, S. Somarakis, C.D. Maravelias, C. Neofitou, D. Koutsoubas, K.N. Papadopoulou and I. Karakassis. 2006. Fish farming effects on local fisheries landings in oligotrophic seas Aquaculture 261 (2): 809-816
• Somarakis S, Tsianis D., Machias A, Stergiou K. 2006. An overview of biological data related to anchovy and sardine stocks in Greek waters. Fisheries Centre Research Reports 14(4): 56-64
• Somarakis, S., Ganias, K., Siapatis, A. Koutsikopoulos, C., Machias, A., and Papaconstantinou, C. 2006 Spawning habitat and daily egg production of sardine in the eastern Mediterranean. Fisheries Oceanography 15 (4): 281-292.
• Giannoulaki M., Machias A., Koutsikopoulos C. and Somarakis S. 2006. The effect of coastal topography on the spatial structure of anchovy and sardine. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 63(4): 650-662.
• Karakassis I., A. Machias, P. Pitta, K. N. Papadopoulou, C. J. Smith, E. T. Apostolaki, M. Giannoulaki, D. Koutsoubas, S. Somarakis. 2006. Cross-community congruence of patterns in a marine ecosystem: Do the parts reflect the whole? Marine Ecology Progress Series. 310: 47-54
• Giannoulaki M, Machias A, Somarakis S, Tsimenides N. 2005. The spatial distribution of anchovy and sardine in the northern Aegean Sea in relation to hydrographic regimes. Belgian Journal of Zoology 135 (2): 151-156.
• Machias A., I. Karakassis, S. Somarakis, M. Giannoulaki, KN Papadopoulou, C. Smith. 2005. The response of demersal fish communities to the presence of fish farms. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 288: 241-250.
• Giannoulaki M., Machias A., Somarakis S., and I. Karakassis. 2005. Wild fish spatial structure in response to presence of fish farms. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK. 85: 1271-1277.
• Papandroulakis N., Suquet M., Spedicato M.T., Machias A., Fauvel C. and Divanach P. 2004. Feeding rates, growth performance and gametogenesis of wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) kept in captivity. Aquaculture International: 12 (4-5): 395-407.
• Machias A., Karakassis I., Labropoulou M., Somarakis S., Papadopoulou KN, Papaconstantinou C. 2004. Changes in wild fish assemblages after the establishment of a fish farming zone in oligotrophic marine ecosystems Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 60
• (4): 771-779.
• Ganias K, Somarakis S, Machias A, Theodorou A. 2004. Identifying newly spawned female sardines by means of common fisheries data CYBIUM 28 (1): 43-46.
• Ganias K., Somarakis S., Machias A. and Theodorou A. 2004. Pattern of oocyte development and batch fecundity in the Mediterranean sardine, Fisheries Research, 67(1): 13-23.
• Machias A, V. P. Maiorano, Vassilopoulou, A. Tursi, C. Papaconstantinou and N. Tsimenides. 2004. Discarding length of commercial trawl species in eastern Mediterranean. Fisheries Research. 66: 213-222.
• Carbonara, P., Constantino, G., Giovine, G., Lembo, G., Spedicato, M.T., Machias, A. 2003. Some aspects of the life history of Polyprion americanus (Schneider, 1801) along the coasts of the north western Ionian Sea. Biol Mar Medit, 10: 102-112.
• Giannoulaki M., A. Machias, C. Koutsikopoulos, J. Haralabous, S. Somarakis, N. Tsimenides. 2003. The effect of coastal topography on the spatial structure of the populations of small pelagic fish. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 265: 243-253
• Ganias K, Somarakis S, Koutsikopoulos C, Machias A, Theodorou A. 2003. Ovarian atresia in the Mediterranean sardine, Sardina pilchardus sardine. J MAR BIOL ASSOC UK 83 (6): 1327-1332.
• Ganias K., Somarakis S., Machias A., Theodorou A. 2003. Evaluation of spawning frequency in a Mediterranean sardine population. Marine Biology. 142: 1169-1179.
• Machias Α., Somarakis Σ., Papadroulakis Ν., Spedicato M-T, Suquet M., Lembo M., Divanach P. 2003. Settlement of the wreckfish (Polyprion americanus). Marine biology. 142: 45-52.
• Stergiou K.I., Machias A., Somarakis S., Kapantagakis A. 2003. Can we define target species in Mediterranean trawl fisheries? Fisheries Research 59:431-435.
• Machias A. and M. Labropoulou. 2002. Intra-specific variation in resource use for the red mullet, Mullus barbatus. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 55(4): 565-578
• Somarakis S. and Machias A. 2002. Age, growth and bathymetric distribution of red Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) on the Cretan shelf. Journal of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 149-160
• Somarakis S., Koutsikopoulos K., Machias A., Tsimenides N. (2002). Applying the Daily Egg Production Method to small stocks in heterogeneous seas. Fisheries Research. 55: 193-204.
• Machias A., E. Maraveyia, M. Pavlidis, S. Somarakis and P. Divanach. (2002). Ring formation on scales and otoliths of common dentex (Dentex dentex). Fisheries Research. 54: 287-294.
• Machias A, V. Vassilopoulou, D. Vatsos, P. Bekas, A. Kallianiotis, C. Papaconstantinou and N. Tsimenides. (2001). Bottom trawl discards in the N. E. Mediterranean Sea. Fisheries Research. 53: 181-195.
• Giannoulaki M., A. Machias and N. Tsimenides. (1999). Ambient luminance and vertical migration of sardine (Sardina pilchardus). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 173: 275-288.
• M. Labropoulou, A. Machias and N. Tsimenides. 1999. Habitat selection and diet of the juvenile red porgy, Pagrus pagrus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Cretan shelf. Fishery Bulletin 97: 495-507.
• Labropoulou M. and A. Machias. (1998) Effects of habitat selection on the dietary patterns of two triglids species. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 173: 275-288.
• Machias A., S. Somarakis and N. Tsimenides. (1998) Bathymetric distribution and movements of red mullet Mullus surmuletus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 166: 247-257.
• Machias A., N. Tsimenides, L. Kokokiris and P. Divanach. (1998) Ring formation on otoliths and scales of Pagrus pagrus L.(Sparidae): a comparative study. Journal of fish biology.52: 350-361
• Labropoulou M., A. Machias, N. Tsimenides, A. Eleftheriou. (1997) Feeding habits and ontogenetic diet shift of the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus 1758. Fisheries Research, 31: 257-267.
• Machias A., N. Tsimenides. (1996) Anatomical and physiological factors affecting the swimbladder cross-section of sardine Sardina pilchardus W. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 53(2): 280-287 pp.
• Machias A. and N. Tsimenides. (1995). Biological factors affecting the swimbladder volume of sardine (Sardina pilchardus). Marine Biology. 123: 59-867 pp.
• Tsimenides N., A. Machias and A. Kallianiotis. (1992). Distribution patterns of triglids, (Pisces: Triglidae), on the Cretan shelf (Greece) and their interspecific associations Fisheries Research. 15: 83-103 pp.
• Tsimenides N., G. Tserpes, A. Machias and A. Kallianiotis. (1991). Distribution of fishes on the Cretan shelf. Journal of Fish Biology. 39: 661-672 pp.
