Eastern Mediterranean

cruiseby Courtney Laermer

Andy GonzalezSam Rumack

Rachel Bernstein

A cruise in the Mediterranean…

If you think of the Mediterranean sea, your mind immediately thinks of the beautiful, clear sea and the ancient cities that surround it. Did you know that this exquisite sea, also known as the photic layer of the ocean, contains 90% of marine life? You will also experience a home to an array of culture and history. A cruise in the Mediterranean offers you it all. You can walk in the footprints of crusaders and visit the astonishing great temples that praise pharaohs and kings. Following that, you can relax on the beautiful, scenic beaches and stare out into the mesmerizing ocean. The weather can range from mild to ideal, leaving you with a constant feeling of joy during your stay here. So sit back, relax and enjoy your cruise.

From the Meteorologist• Temperature on the Crete Island:

Winter: 9-18 degrees C (48-64 F)Early Spring/Late Fall: 17-26 C (63-79 F)Midst of Summer: 29-38 C (82-95 F)Late Spring/Early Fall: 23-29 C (73-84) F

• Temperature of the Photic Zone:Winter: 12-17 C (55-65 F)Midst of Summer: 24-28 C (74-82 F)Early Spring/Late Fall: 16-18 C (61-64 F)Late Spring/Early Fall: 18-22 C (64-72 F)

From the ZoologistDuring your cruise, you are bound to come across many different types of animals in the photic layer of the ocean. Common animals in this location is epipelagic fishes, which include forage fish and predatory fish, Forage fish are very small and are preyed on by larger predators. Predatory fish, such as shark, perch, muskie, and walleye, predate upon other fish and animals. There are also other types of predatory fish, such as tuna and salmon, that are consisted in a human diet. In addition, you will find zooplanktons, which are usually found alongside phytoplankton. They are very tiny and are filter feeders, which means that they feed by straining food particles from the water. Zooplanktons also reproduce very fast. In the Crete area that you will be exploring on your cruise, you will see many domesticated farm animals, such as dogs, cats, goats, donkeys, sheep, pigs and chickens. It is very rare that you will come across a native animal due to the reduced habitat on the island and the dry Mediterranean soil and forests that take a longer time to regenerate. A famous Cretan animal that you are guaranteed to see is the Kri Kri, which is a mountain goat. However, there are several threats to its population due to the human disturbance such as the ongoing recreation, tourism and harvesting, and the change in the dynamics of native species. However, the Kri Kri can adapt to its environment because of its independent and tough character that allows it to survive in the rugged Cretan mountains. Additionally, you may come across spiny mice, beech martins, badgers, and emporer dragonfly.

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From the Botanist• In the Mediterranean Sea, one will find phytoplankton, algae, and a

large amount of seaweed. There are also many microscopic plants due to the amount of sunlight that is exposed in the photic zone. These three plants may not seem like much, but they do have a great importance on many organisms since they are at the base of the food chain. One of the phytoplankton’s roles is to produce oxygen for the earth. In the Mediterranean Sea, Leptofauchea coralline can be found from December through August, and can grow from the surface of the sea to about 110 meters deep thanks to the phycoerythrin pigment which allows them to also absorb blue light and reflect red light. Red algae can be used as food for many organisms. It can also be used as a medical resource because of its richness in protein, minerals, carbohydrates, enzymes, and fiber, which are found to be 20 times more in Red algae than in any land plant. Some of the many medical uses for Red algae include reducing fat and cholesterol in blood, curing cold sores, and improving the body’s immune system. In the Mediterranean Sea, seaweed will definitely be visible since there’s a wild, uncontrollable growth of it that is currently doing damage to the sea. This seaweed is taking vital sunlight and oxygen from plants and animals in the sea. Although seaweed is currently hurting the sea at the moment, there are some advantages to it, like providing food to specific animals. Another great thing about seaweed is that it is an ingredient in medicine used to for Influenza, Tuberculosis, Arthritis, Colds, and worm infections.

From the GeographerSituated south of Italy but remaining north of the continent of Africa, the Mediterranean Sea is an opportune environment for various types of life to prosper. On this vacation you will see the sheer cliffs and rocky beaches of Africa, abounding and diverse sea-life and experience the crystal clear waters upon which you will sail. On the western side of the Mediterranean, you will see the plentiful supply of plankton to feed the colorful creatures that inhabit the photic layer of this paradise. However, on the eastern border of the Sea you will experience perhaps a more tranquil environment; home to (though many) slightly less life than the Western side. The shallow waters of the Mediterranean harbor the largest seagrass beds in the world and many varieties of fish, dolphins and even a few types of whales. Because of the warm, shallow water not only is the Sea pleasant for swimming year round, it is crystal clear; you can almost see the plankton swim throughout it. If you enjoy warm, shallow water with plentiful, tropical life and amazing weather; a view of Greece, Italy and the shores of Africa, this cruise is most certainly for you.

Endangered Species

Despite the glorious sights you are bound to encounter during your cruise, you do need to be aware of the deep sea fish. They are the endangered species that are commonly found in the photic layer of the ocean. These fish are endangered due to the shift of commercial fishing from continental shelves to the slopes of the continental shelves, which is about 1600 meters in depth. These fish reproduce very slowly, which result in them being unable to recover from the excessive fishing in this area. Examples of deep sea fish that are endangered are roundnose grenadier, onion-eye grenadier, spiny eel and spinytail skate. In addition to the deep sea fish located in the photic layer of the ocean, you also need to be aware of the endangered species in Crete. These species consist of loggerhead turtles and bearded vultures. Fortunately, The loggerhead turtles have left many parts of the Western Basin, which is where it is disturbed by fishing and the bearded vultures are gradually becoming very rare.

Work Cited• "Phytoplankton: Plants of the Sea." Rhode Island Sea Grant. Web. 02 June 2010. <

http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/phytoplankton.html>.• "Learn About the Pelagic Zone: the Open Ocean Zone." Find Health, Education, Science & Technology 

Articles, Reviews, How-To and Tech Tips At Bright Hub - Apply To Be A Writer Today! Web. 02 June 2010. <http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/60012.aspx>.

• "Plankton - NatureWorks." New Hampshire Public Television - Engage. Connect. Celebrate. Web. 01 June 2010. <http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep6d.htm>.

• "New Red Alga Discovered In Mediterranean Sea." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Web. 02 June 2010. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513091515.htm>.

• Bora, Chandramita. "Facts about Red Marine Algae." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Web. 02 June 2010. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-red-marine-algae.html>.

• "Uses of Seaweed." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Web. 02 June 2010. <http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210280/uses/uses_frames.html>.

• "BBC News | SCI/TECH | Invasion of the 'killer' Seaweed." BBC NEWS | News Front Page. Web. 02 June 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1013801.stm>.

• "Sfakia, Crete, Greece: Marine & Sea Life in Sfakia - Crete." Crete Southwest: Sfakia, Crete, Quiet Holiday Crete. Web. 02 June 2010. <http://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/crete-sealife.html>.

• The, June. "Sea Temperatures." Lycos Tripod - Multimania. Web. 03 June 2010. http://members.multimania.co.uk/HolidayWeather/sea.html>.