BackgroundCoastal lagoons are ecosystems of major importance as they host a number of species tolerant to disturbances and they are highly productive. Therefore, these ecosystems should be protected to ensure stability and resilience. The lagoons of Amvrakikos Gulf form one of the most important lagoonal complexes in Greece. The optimal ecological status of these lagoons is crucial for the well-being of the biodiversity and the economic prosperity of the local communities. Thus, monitoring of the area is necessary to detect possible sources of disturbance and restore stability.New informationThe environmental variables and heavy metals concentrations, from five lagoons of Amvrakikos Gulf were measured from seasonal samplings and compared to the findings of previous studies in the area, in order to check for possible sources of disturbance. The analysis, showed that i) the values of the abiotic parameters vary with time (season), space (lagoon) and with space over time; ii) the variability of the environmental factors and enrichment in certain elements is naturally induced and no source of contamination is detected in the lagoons.

The present study aims through a modeling approach to quantify fishing losses from the impact of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) during their wintering period in Greek lagoons. A number of assumptions were incorporated into the model regarding fish population growth, species distribution, age (or size) of fish caught, and the different fishing strategies that could be applied in the studied lagoons. The results indicated that the mean value of daily economic losses ranged from 0.614 to 1.075 €·bird−1·day−1, whereas the ratios of biomass losses to landings biomass and of economic losses to economic profit ranged from 0.18:1 to 3.80:1 and from 0.14:1 to 4.18:1, respectively, depending on the lagoon. The results supported a strong competitive relationship between great cormorants and fisheries in lagoons of the Amvrakikos Gulf.