Somarakis Stylianos

by / Monday, 17 November 2014 / Published in people
somarakis

Position: Senior Researcher

Contact Info

Institute: Marine Biological Resources
Address: : Hellenic Centre for Marine Research P.O.Box 2214, Heraklion 71003, Crete, Greece
Email:somarak@hcmr.gr
Tel: +30 2810 337832
Telex:
Website:

 

Stylianos (Stelios) Somarakis is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Marine Biological Resources of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. He assumed his duties in December 2007.

Dr. Somarakis holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Crete, Greece. He earned his doctoral and master’s degrees in Marine Biology from the University of Crete, Greece. His thesis work focused on ichthyoplankton with emphasis on the early life fish history and reproductive ecology of small pelagic fish.

Dr. Somarakis was a Lecturer in the Biology Department of the University of Patras from 2002 to 2006 and Assistant Professor in the Biology Department of the University of Crete in 2007.

During the last 10 years, Dr. Somarakis has participated in 23 research projects/actions (scientific responsible in 10 of them) in the fields of fisheries ecology and management, ecosystem modelling and aquaculture-fisheries interactions. He is an expert in ichthyoplankton, egg production methods, larval fish ecology, fish reproduction and pelagic food webs, with long experience on small pelagic fish and fisheries. He was co-leader of a Working Group on fish reproductive potential of the European Action: “Fish Reproduction and Fisheries” (COST Action FA0601) and the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). He was chairman (2005-2008) of the Working Group on small pelagics of the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM-Scientific Advisory Committee). He is member of the Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (DG MARE).

Dr Somarakis has published 63 articles in peer-reviewed Journals, 4 chapters in Books and 68 articles in Conference Proceedings. He is Contributing Editor in the Journal ‘Marine Ecology Progress Series’, member of the Editorial Board of ‘Scientia Marina’ and Guest Editor in ‘Fisheries Research’. He is currently supervising 3 MSc and 2 PhD theses.

Education Profile

• Ph.D. in Fisheries Ecology (2000) University of Crete, Dept. of Biology
• M.Sc. in Marine Biology (1993) University of Crete, Dept. of Biology
• Graduated (1991) from University of Crete, Dept. of Biology.

Professional Profile

• December 2007- : Senior Research Scientist, Institute of Marine Biological Resources, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)
• April, 2007 – December, 2007: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology, University of Crete
• June, 2002 – April 2007: Lecturer, Dept. of Biology, University of Patras
• June, 1995 – June, 2002: Research Associate, Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Dept. of Fisheries
Scientific and Professional Memberships
• 2000 –: Member, General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), Scientific Advisory Committee, Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment, Working Group on small pelagics
• 2002 – 2003: Member, Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) – Sub Group on the Mediterranean Sea (SGMED)
• 2005 – 2009: Facilitator, Working Group on small pelagics, General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), Scientific Advisory Committee, Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment
• 2003 –: Member, Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)
• 2007-2011: Leader (co-leader), Working Group ‘WG1: Identifying the causes and consequences of variation in stock reproductive potential’ of the Pan European Action FRESH: Fish Reproduction and Fisheries – European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research – COST Action FA0601
• 2008-2011: Leader (co-leader) of ToR2: ‘Explore and investigate the potential effects of changes in water temperature and food supply on reproductive success in selected marine species and stocks’. North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) – Working Group on Reproductive Potential (WGRP)

Research Interests

Fish biology

• Development, age and growth, otolith microstructure
• Systematics of eggs, larvae, juveniles and adults
• Reproduction (patterns of oocyte development, fecundity, spawning frequency)
• Stomach content analysis and feeding ecology
• Life history strategies
Ecosystem Oceanography

• Distribution and abundance
• Structure and diversity of assemblages
• Effects of oceanographic and climatic variability
• Habitat and ecosystem modelling

Fisheries Assessment and Management

• Collection, management and analysis of fisheries data
• Fish population dynamics and stock assessment
• Egg production methods
• Ecosystem effects of fisheries
• Ecological indicators and socioeconomic component in fisheries management
• Aquaculture-fisheries interactions

Peer-reviewed publications

 

    • • 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, doi: 10.1016 /j.fishres. 2010.11.027

 

    • • Arechavala-Lopez P., Sanchez-Jerez P., Bayle-Sempere J.T., Sfakianakis D.G., Somarakis S. (2011) Morphological differences between wild and farmed Mediterranean fish Hydrobiologia, doi: 10.1007/s10750-011-0886-y

 

    • • Nikolioudakis N., Palomera I., Machias A., Somarakis S. (2011) Diel feeding periodicity and daily ration of sardine, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792). Marine Ecology Progress Series 437: 215-228.

 

    • • Giannoulaki M., Pyrounaki M., Liorzou B., Leonori, I., Valavanis V., Tsagarakis K., Bigot, J.-L., Roos D., De Felice A., Campanella F., Somarakis S., Arneri E., Machias A. (2011) Habitat suitability modelling for sardine juveniles in the Mediterranean Sea. Fisheries Oceanography 20: 367-382.

 

    • • Antonakakis K., Giannoulaki M., Machias A., Somarakis S., Sanchez S., Ibaibarriaga L., Uriarte A. (2011) Assessment of the sardine (Sardina pilchardus Walbaum, 1792) fishery in the eastern Mediterranean basin (North Aegean Sea). Mediterranean Marine Science 12: 333-357.

 

    • • Somarakis S., Isari S., Machias A. (2011) Larval fish assemblages in coastal waters of central Greece: reflections of topographic and oceanographic heterogeneity. Scientia Marina 75: 605-618.

 

    • • Politikos D.V., Triantafyllou G., Petihakis G., Tsiaras K., Somarakis S., Ito S.-I., Megrey B.A. (2011) Application of a bioenergetics growth model for European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) linked with a lower trophic level ecosystem model. Hydrobiologia 670: 141-163.

 

    • • Somarakis S., Ramfos A., Palialexis A., Valavanis V.D. (2011) Contrasting multispecies patterns in larval fish production trace inter-annual variability in oceanographic conditions over the N.E. Aegean Sea continental shelf (Eastern Mediterranean), Hydrobiologia 670: 275-287.

 

    • • Isari S., Somarakis S., Christou E.D., Fragopoulu N. (2011) Summer mesozooplankton assemblages in the north-eastern Aegean Sea: The influence of Black Sea water and an associated anticyclonic eddy. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 91: 51-63.

 

    • • Tsagarakis K., Coll M., Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Papaconstantinou C., Machias, A. (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.

 

    • • Nikolioudakis N., Koumoundouros G., Kiparissis S., Somarakis S. (2010) Defining length-at-metamorphosis in fishes: a multi-character approach. Marine Biology, 157: 991-1001.

 

    • • Somarakis S., Nikolioudakis N. (2010) What makes a late anchovy larva? The development of the caudal fin seen as a milestone in fish ontogeny. Journal of Plankton Research 32: 317-326.

 

    • • Barange M., Bernal M., Cergole M.C., Cubillos L.A., Daskalov G.M., de Moor C.L., De Oliveira J.A.A., Dickey-Collas M., Gaughan D.J., Hill K., Jacobson L.D., Köster F.W., Masse J., Ñiquen M., Nishida H., Oozeki Y., Palomera I., Saccardo S.A., Santojanni A., Serra R., Somarakis S., Stratoudakis Y., Uriarte A., van der Lingen C.D., Yatsu A. (2009) Current trends in the Assessment and Management of Stocks. Chapter 10 In: D. Checkley, J. Alheit, D.M. Jr, Y. Oozeki and C. Roy (Eds.) Climate Change and Small Pelagic Fish. pp. 191-255. Cambridge University Press.

 

    • • Kiparissis S., Tserpes G., Somarakis S., Economidis P.S., Koutsikopoulos C. (2008) Site-attachment behaviour of Oblada melanura (Linnaeus, 1758) (Osteichthyes: Sparidae) benthic larvae: a quantitative approach. Scientia Marina 72: 429-436

 

    • • Machias A., Stergiou K.I., Somarakis S., Karpouzi V.S., Kapantagakis A. (2008) Trends in trawl and purse seine catch rates in the north-eastern Mediterranean. Mediterranean Marine Science 9: 49-65

 

    • • 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 in Aegean Sea. Hydrobiologia 612: 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: 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: 225-240

 

    • • Schismenou E., Giannoulaki M., Valavanis V.D., Somarakis S. (2008) Modeling and predicting potential spawning habitat of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) based on satellite environmental information. Hydrobiologia 612: 201-214

 

    • • Isari S., Fragopoulu N., Somarakis S. (2008) Interranual variability in horizontal patterns of larval fish assemblages in the northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) during early summer. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 79: 607-619

 

    • • Tzanatos E., Somarakis S., Tserpes G., Koutsikopoulos C. (2008) Catch length analysis, relation to minimum landing sizes and management implications from a Mediterranean small-scale fishery (Patraikos Gulf, Greece). Fisheries Research 93: 125-134

 

    • • Tsagarakis K., Machias A., Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Karakassis I. (2008) Seasonal and temporal trends in metrics of fish community for otter-trawl discards in a Mediterranean ecosystem. ICES Journal of Marine Science 65: 539-550

 

    • • Somarakis S., Siapatis A. (2007) Fisheries independent assessment methods: Daily Egg Production Method. In: C Papaconstantinou, A Zenetos, V Vassilopoulou, G Tserpes (eds) State of Hellenic Fisheries, pp. 350-355. HCMR Publications, Athens

 

    • • Machias A., Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Siapatis A. (2007) In: C Papaconstantinou, A Zenetos, V Vassilopoulou, G Tserpes (eds) State of Hellenic Fisheries, pp. 192-207. HCMR Publications, Athens

 

    • • Siapatis S., Somarakis S. (2007) Early life history of fish. In: C Papaconstantinou, A Zenetos, V Vassilopoulou, G Tserpes (eds) State of Hellenic Fisheries, pp. 54-61. HCMR Publications, Athens

 

    • • Mantzouni I., Somarakis S., Moutopoulos D.K., Kallianiotis A., Koutsikopoulos C. (2007) Periodic, spatially structured matrix model for the study of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) population dynamics in the N. Aegean Sea (E. Maditerranean). Ecological Modelling 208: 367-377

 

    • • Somarakis S., Nikolioudakis N. (2007) Oceanographic habitat, growth and mortality of larval anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolous) in the northern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean). Marine Biology 152: 1143-1158

 

    • • Tzanatos E., Somarakis S., Tserpes G., Koutsikopoulos C. (2007) Discarding practices in a Mediterranean small-scale fishing fleet (Patraikos Gulf, Greece). Fisheries Management and Ecology 14: 277-285

 

    • • Ganias K., Somarakis S., Machias A., Koutsikopoulos C. (2007) Factors affecting the spawning period of sardine in two highly oligotrophic Seas. Marine Biology 151: 1559-1569

 

    • • Isari S., Psarra S., Pitta P., Mara P., Tomprou M.O., Ramfos A., Somarakis S., Tselepides A., Koutsikopoulos C., Fragopoulu N. (2007) Differential patterns of mesozooplankters’ distribution in relation to physical and biological variables of the northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean). Marine Biology 151: 1035-1050

 

    • • Somarakis S., Tsianis D.E., Machias A., Stergiou K.I. (2006) An overview of biological data related to anchovy and sardine stocks in Greek waters. In: Palomares M.L.D., Stergiou K.I., Pauly D. (eds.), Fishes in databases and ecosystems. Fisheries Centre Research Reports 14(4), pp. 56-64. Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia [ISSN 1198-6727].

 

    • • Machias A., Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Maravelias C.D., Neofitou C., Koutsoubas D., Papadopoulou K.N., Karakassis I. (2006) Fish farming effects on local fisheries landings in oligotrophic seas. Aquaculture 261: 809-816

 

    • •Tzanatos E., Somarakis S., Tserpes G., Koutsikopoulos C. (2006) Identifying and classifying small-scale fisheries metiers in the Mediterranean: A case study in the Patraikos Gulf, Greece. Fisheries Research 81: 158-168

 

    • •Ramfos A., Isari S., Somarakis S., Georgopoulos D., Koutsikopoulos C., Fragopoulu N. (2006) Mesozooplankton community structure in offshore and coastal waters of the Ionian Sea (eastern Mediterranean) during mixed and stratified conditions. Marine Biology 150: 29-44

 

    • • Tzanatos E., Dimitriou E., Papaharisis L., Roussi A., Somarakis S., Koutsikopoulos C. (2006) Principal socio-economic characteristics of the Greek small-scale coastal fishermen. Ocean and Coastal Management 49: 511-527

 

    • • Giannoulaki M., Machias A., Koutsikopoulos C., Somarakis S. (2006) The effect of coastal topography on the spatial structure of anchovy and sardine. ICES Journal of Marine Science 63: 650-662

 

    • • Pavlidis M., Kokokiris L., Paspatis M., Somarakis S., Kentouri M., Divanach D. (2006) Gonadal development in hybrids of Mediterranean sparids: Sparus aurata (female) x Pagrus pagrus (male). Aquaculture Research 37: 302-305

 

    • • Karakassis I., Machias A., Pitta P., Papadopoulou N., Smith C.J., Apostolaki E., Giannoulaki M., Koutsoubas D., Somarakis S. (2006) Cross community congruence patterns in marine ecosystems: does the part reflect the whole? Marine Ecology Progress Series 310: 47-54

 

    • • Isari S., Ramfos A., Somarakis S., Koutsikopoulos C., Kallianiotis A., Fragopoulu N. (2006) Mesozooplankton distribution in relation to hydrology of the Northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean). Journal of Plankton Research 28: 241-255

 

    • • Somarakis S., Ganias K., Siapatis A., Koutsikopoulos C., Machias A., Papaconstantinou C. (2006) Spawning habitat and daily egg production of sardine in the eastern Mediterranean. Fisheries Oceanography 15: 281-292

 

    • • Somarakis S. (2005) Marked inter-annual differences in reproductive parameters and daily egg production of anchovy in the northern Aegean Sea. Belgian Journal of Zoology 135: 247-252

 

    • • Giannoulaki M., Machias A., Somarakis S., and 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: 151-156

 

    • • Giannoulaki M., Machias A., Somarakis S., Karakassis I. (2005) Wild fish spatial structure in response to presence of fish farms. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 85: 1271-1277

 

    • • Ramfos A., Somarakis S., Koutsikopoulos C., Fragopoulu N., (2005) Summer mesozooplankton distribution in coastal waters of central Greece (eastern Mediterranean). II. Species assemblages. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 85: 765-774

 

    • • Ramfos A., Somarakis S., Koutsikopoulos C., Fragopoulu N., (2005) Summer mesozooplankton distribution in coastal waters of central Greece (eastern Mediterranean). I. Hydrology and group composition. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 85: 755-764

 

    • • Machias A., Karakassis I., Giannoulaki M., Papadopoulou K.N., Smith C.J., Somarakis S. (2005) The response of demersal fish communities to the presence of fish farms. Marine Ecology Progress Series 288: 241-250.

 

    • • Somarakis S., Ganias K., Tserpes G., Koutsikopoulos C. (2004) Ovarian allometry and the use of the gonosomatic index: a case study in the Mediterranean sardine, Sardina pilchardus. Marine Biology 146: 181-189

 

    • • Somarakis S., Palomera I., Garcia A., Quintanilla L., Koutsikopoulos C., Uriarte A., Motos L. (2004) Daily egg production of anchovy in European waters. ICES Journal of Marine Science 61: 944-958

 

    • • Machias A., Karakassis I., Labropoulou M., Somarakis S., Papadopoulou K.N., Papaconstantinou C. (2004) Changes in wild fish assemblages after the establishment of a fish farming zone in an oligotrophic marine ecosystem. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 60: 771-779

 

    • • Ganias K., Somarakis S., Machias A., Koutsikopoulos C., Theodorou A. (2004) Identifying newly spawned female sardines by means of common fisheries data. Cybium 28: 43-46

 

    • • Ganias K., Somarakis S., Machias A., Theodorou A. (2004) Pattern of oocyte development and batch fecundity in the Mediterranean sardine. Fisheries Research 67: 13-23

 

    • • Ganias K., Somarakis S., Koutsikopoulos C., Machias A., Theodorou A. (2003) Ovarian atresia in the Mediterranean sardine, Sardina pilchardus sardina. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 83: 1327-1332

 

    • • Giannoulaki M., Machias A., Koutsikopoulos C., Haralabous J., Somarakis S., Tsimenides N. (2003) 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., Machias A., Theodorou A.J. (2003) Evaluation of spawning frequency in a Mediterranean sardine population (Sardina pilchardus sardina). Marine Biology 142: 1169-1179

 

    • • Machias Α., Somarakis S., 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

 

    • • Somarakis S., Machias A. (2002) Age, growth and bathymetric distribution of red pandora (Pagellus erithrinus) on the Cretan shelf (eastern Mediterranean). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 82: 149-160

 

    • • Somarakis S., Drakopoulos P., Filippou V. (2002) Distribution and abundance of larval fishes in the northern Aegean Sea -eastern Mediterranean- in relation to early summer oceanographic conditions. Journal of Plankton Research 24: 339-357

 

    • • Somarakis S., Koutsikopoulos C., Machias A., Tsimenides N. (2002) Applying the Daily Egg Production Method to small stocks in highly heterogeneous seas. Fisheries Research 55: 193-204

 

    • • Machias A., Maraveya E., Pavlidis M., Somarakis S., Divanach P. (2002) Validation of annuli on scales and otoliths of common dentex (Dentex dentex). Fisheries Research 54: 287-294

 

    • • Loir M., Le Gac F., Somarakis S., Pavlidis M. (2001) Sexuality and gonadal cycle of the common dentex (Dentex dentex) in intensive culture. Aquaculture 194: 363-381

 

    • • Somarakis S., Maraveya E., Tsimenides N. (2000) Multispecies ichthyoplankton associations in epipelagic species: Is there any intrinsic adaptive function? Belgian Journal of Zoology 130 (Supplement 1): 125-129

 

    • • Pavlidis M., Koumoundouros G., Stergioti A., Somarakis S., Divanach P., Kentouri M. (2000) Evidence of temperature-dependent sex determination in the European Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). Journal of Experimental Zoology 287: 225-232

 

    • • Machias A., Somarakis S., Tsimenides N. (1998) Bathymetric distribution and movements of red mullet Mullus surmuletus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 166:247-257

 

    • • Somarakis S., Catalano B., Tsimenides N. (1998) Catchability and retention of larval European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, with bongo nets. Fishery Bulletin 96: 917-925

 

    • • Somarakis S., Tsimenides N. (1997). A Daily egg Production Method biomass estimate of the northern Aegean Sea anchovy stock. In: Motos L. (ed.) ‘Improvements of the Daily Egg Production Method techniques’. Ozeanografika 2: 133-148

 

    • • Somarakis S., Kostikas I., Tsimenides N. (1997) Fluctuating asymmetry in the otoliths of larval fish as an indicator of condition: conceptual and methodological aspects. Journal of Fish Biology 51 (Supplement A): 30-38

 

  • • Somarakis S., Kostikas I., Peristeraki N., Tsimenides N. (1997) Fluctuating asymmetry in the otoliths of larval anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and the use of developmental instability as an indicator of condition in larval fish. Marine Ecology Progress Series 151: 191-203
TOP Skip to content