Many organizations are comfortable managing documents, meetings, and member records online, but voting is different.

For Board elections, General Assemblies and other formal decisions, groups often hesitate to move away from paper because they need more than a simple online poll. They need to know that the person voting is an eligible member, that each member votes only once, and that, when the ballot is secret, nobody can see who voted for whom.

Members Hub was created for exactly that problem.

Developed by Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd, Members Hub is a B2B platform for associations, NGOs, clubs, committees and other membership-based organizations. It brings member management, General Assemblies and voting into one place.

Verified voter, private vote.

The most important part of the platform is the way secret voting can be handled.

A member can be verified as eligible to vote, while their actual choice is stored separately from their identity. In the Member Hub model on which the system is based, the record confirming that someone voted is kept separately from the secret ballot itself.

So the organization can confirm that a valid member participated without being able to see which candidate or option that member selected.

For secret ballots, members can also receive a unique verification code after voting, allowing them to check that their vote was recorded correctly without revealing their identity.

That makes the platform particularly useful for Board elections, committee elections and other decisions where both verification and ballot secrecy matter.

More than an election tool.

Members Hub also helps organizations manage the wider process around voting.

Member records, participation rights and organizational roles can be managed in one place.

General Assemblies can be organized for online, in-person or hybrid participation, with meeting details, documents, attendance and voting managed through the same system.

Organizations can also create votes on individual subjects outside a General Assembly, making the platform useful for internal decisions throughout the year, not just annual meetings.

Completed Assemblies and their results can be archived, helping organizations keep a clearer record of what was decided and when.

Built for organizations.

Members Hub is designed as an adaptable B2B application rather than a one-size-fits-all service.

An organization can create its own copy and adapt the platform around its members, structure, terminology and internal procedures.

It can be useful for associations, NGOs, professional bodies, clubs, societies, volunteer groups, federations and smaller organizations that want a more structured way to manage participation and voting.

The idea is simple: verify the member, protect the secret ballot and keep organizational decisions in one clear system.

Explore Members Hub:
https://membershub.mermanconservation.co.uk/

Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd is pleased to announce that NATIV Pelion is moving forward into the next phase of its work in South East Pelion, Greece, progressing from mapping and documentation toward targeted management, control and, where feasible, elimination of invasive alien species.

NATIV Pelion was developed as a living marine registry for the coastal waters of South East Pelion, combining field observations, citizen reports and biodiversity records with action planning and measurable conservation objectives. The project places particular emphasis on protecting native species and sensitive marine habitats.

From recording species to taking action.

Understanding where an invasive alien species occurs is only the first stage of effective management.

The next phase of NATIV Pelion will increasingly connect mapping, monitoring and field observations with practical conservation action. Depending on the ecology, distribution and establishment of each species, management may include:

• rapid eradication of newly detected and highly localised populations;
• rapid suppression and continued monitoring where immediate eradication may not be achievable;
• containment and measures to slow further spread;
• long-term management of well-established populations; and
• continued monitoring where intervention is not currently appropriate.

This tiered approach is already incorporated into the NATIV Pelion framework. For species that have become widespread, complete disappearance is not necessarily a realistic objective. In these cases, the project focuses on reducing local pressure, protecting sensitive habitats and limiting further expansion into areas that remain comparatively unaffected.

A focus on South East Pelion.

NATIV Pelion is geographically focused on the marine and coastal environment of South East Pelion, where the meeting of rocky reefs, seagrass habitats, shallow coastal waters and diverse marine communities creates both significant biodiversity value and opportunities for early detection of ecological change.

The project brings together information originating from field surveys, iNaturalist records and citizen observations, creating a continually developing picture of alien species occurrence in the region.

The objective is not simply to produce a list of species. It is to understand where they occur, whether they are spreading, which habitats may be most exposed and where intervention can realistically make a difference.

Protecting native biodiversity.

The ultimate purpose of invasive alien species management is the protection of native ecosystems.

Species such as Sparisoma cretense, together with the wider native fish, invertebrate, algal and seagrass communities of the region, represent the biodiversity that NATIV Pelion seeks to safeguard. Their presence in project communications represents the native marine ecosystem being protected, not species targeted for removal.

Management decisions therefore need to remain selective and evidence-based. Removal should never simply mean removing unfamiliar organisms. Correct species identification, ecological context and an appropriate management objective must come first.

Measuring whether conservation actions work.

A conservation intervention is useful only if its results can be evaluated.

NATIV Pelion therefore incorporates measurable indicators including the number of alien species recorded, detection of new locations, changes in coverage or abundance, kilometres of coastline surveyed, response time between a report and an intervention, and the contribution of citizen observations.

These indicators will become increasingly important as the project transitions from documentation toward active management.

The next step.

This next phase represents an important development for NATIV Pelion.

The project is moving toward a model in which:

• Mapping identifies the problem.
• Monitoring shows how it changes.
• Targeted action responds where intervention is justified.
• Continued assessment determines whether that action worked.

The objective is not indiscriminate removal. It is targeted, scientifically informed management of invasive alien species while protecting native biodiversity and sensitive coastal habitats.

NATIV Pelion will continue to develop its species database, field monitoring, action records and management framework as new information becomes available.

Mapping. Monitoring. Action. Native biodiversity protection.

On September 11, 2026, marine biodiversity observations were recorded along the coast of Mourtias and Ammitsa in South-east Pelion, Greece.

The observations focused primarily on shallow coastal habitats and included several fish species, a crustacean, and a coastal seabird. Most records were made around Mourtias, with additional observations from the neighbouring coast of Ammitsa.

The records provide another snapshot of the marine biodiversity occurring along this section of the South-east Pelion coastline and contribute to the continuing documentation of species associated with its rocky, mixed and shallow-water habitats.

Fish

• Belone belone (Garfish)
• Seriola dumerili (Greater Amberjack)
• Sarpa salpa (Salema Porgy)
• Boops boops (Bogue)
• Mullus surmuletus (Striped Red Mullet)
• Oedalechilus sp. (Boxlip Mullet)
• Muraena helena (Mediterranean Moray)
• Atherina boyeri (Big-scale Sand Smelt)

Several of these observations were documented at Mourtias during the middle of the day. Seriola dumerili, Sarpa salpa, Boops boops, Mullus surmuletus and Oedalechilus sp. were among the fishes recorded there.

Garfish belonging to the genus Belone were also observed at Mourtias, together with Atherina boyeri (Big-scale Sand Smelt).

At Ammitsa, Muraena helena (Mediterranean Moray) was documented in the coastal habitat.

Crustaceans

• Palaemon elegans (Rockpool Prawn)

Palaemon elegans was recorded at Mourtias, adding a small coastal crustacean to the day's biodiversity observations.

Birds

• Gulosus aristotelis desmarestii (Mediterranean Shag)

A Mediterranean Shag was also documented at Ammitsa. Coastal seabirds form an important part of the wider marine ecosystem and can be recorded alongside underwater and shoreline biodiversity observations.

Continuing biodiversity monitoring in South-east Pelion.

Although a single day of observations cannot provide a complete representation of the local marine community, repeated records from the same coastline can gradually build a clearer picture of which species occur in the area and how observations change through different seasons.

Combining direct coastal observations, underwater surveys, photography and opportunistic wildlife records allows marine biodiversity to be documented across several habitat types and taxonomic groups.
​
These observations from Mourtias and Ammitsa therefore contribute to the continuing documentation of marine and coastal wildlife in South-east Pelion, complementing previous biodiversity surveys carried out throughout the area.

​On September 7, 2026, marine biodiversity observations were carried out at Katigiorgis in South-east Pelion, Greece.

The survey documented a variety of organisms from the shallow coastal environment, including several fish species as well as echinoderms, sponges, molluscs and hydrozoans.

The observations provide another snapshot of the biodiversity associated with the coastal habitats around Katigiorgis and contribute to the continuing documentation of marine species in South-east Pelion.

Fish

• Gobius incognitus (Incognito Goby)
• Sarpa salpa (Salema Porgy)
• Lithognathus mormyrus (Striped Seabream)
• Trachinotus ovatus (Pompano)
• Mugilidae (Mullets)
• Atherina boyeri (Big-scale Sand Smelt)
• Diplodus sargus (White Sea Bream)
• Mullus surmuletus (Striped Red Mullet)
• Tripterygion tripteronotum (Red-black Triplefin)
• Chromis chromis (Mediterranean Damselfish)
• Serranus scriba (Painted Comber)
• Diplodus vulgaris (Common Two-banded Seabream)

Echinoderms

• Stylocidaris affinis (Red Lance Urchin)
• Holothuria sp. (Sea Cucumber)

Sponges

• Axinella sp.
• Chondrilla sp.
• Sarcotragus spinosulus (Black Leather Sponge)

Molluscs

• Rapaninae (Rapanine Whelks)

Hydrozoans

• Hydrozoa

​Repeated biodiversity observations at Katigiorgis and elsewhere in South-east Pelion can help build a growing record of species presence across different habitats and seasons and complement the wider marine biodiversity monitoring being carried out in the region.

​On September 6, 2026, marine biodiversity observations were carried out at Mikros Mourtias in South-east Pelion, Greece.

The observations documented a small but characteristic group of coastal fish species associated with shallow inshore habitats. These records contribute to the continuing documentation of marine biodiversity in the area and add to the growing picture of species presence along the South-east Pelion coastline.

Fish

• Gobius cobitis (Giant Goby)
• Thalassoma pavo (Ornate Wrasse)
• Parablennius sanguinolentus (Rusty Blenny)
• Symphodus tinca (East Atlantic Peacock Wrasse)
• Mugilidae (Mullets)
• Coris julis (Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse)

These fishes are common in many coastal areas and form a familiar component of shallow marine communities in Greece.

Continuing biodiversity monitoring at Mikros Mourtias.

Although the number of species recorded during a single visit is limited, repeated observations from sites such as Mikros Mourtias are valuable for building a clearer understanding of local biodiversity.

Even short coastal surveys can document representative species from different ecological groups, including bottom-dwelling fishes, wrasses and schooling coastal species. Over time, such records help strengthen the biodiversity baseline for South-east Pelion and complement wider efforts to monitor marine life across the region.
​
These observations from Mikros Mourtias therefore contribute another useful record of shallow-water marine biodiversity from the South-east Pelion coastline.

​On August 23, 2026, biodiversity observations were carried out at Radakia and Ftelia in South-east Pelion, Greece.

The survey documented a diverse collection of marine organisms, including fishes, echinoderms, sponges, hydroids, a nudibranch and Posidonia oceanica, together with observations of bats associated with the coastal area.

The records provide another snapshot of the biodiversity occurring along this part of the South-east Pelion coastline and complement previous surveys from nearby locations.

Fish

• Mullus surmuletus (Striped Red Mullet)
• Chromis chromis (Mediterranean Damselfish)
• Symphodus tinca (East Atlantic Peacock Wrasse)
• Lithognathus mormyrus (Striped Seabream)
• Diplodus vulgaris (Common Two-banded Seabream)
• Diplodus annularis (Annular Seabream)
• Sarpa salpa (Salema Porgy)

Nudibranchs

• Caloria quatrefagesi

Sponges

• Aplysina aerophoba (Gold Sponge)
• Agelas oroides (Orange Crater Sponge)

Hydroids

• Pennaria disticha (Christmas Tree Hydroid)

Echinoderms

• Echinaster sepositus (Mediterranean Red Sea Star)
• Arbacia cavernicola

Seagrass

• Posidonia oceanica (Neptune Grass)

Bats

• Miniopterus schreibersii (Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat)
• Rhinolophus euryale (Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat)

​On August 21, 2026, marine biodiversity observations were carried out at Liri in South-east Pelion, Greece.

The observations documented a range of marine organisms, including coastal fishes, a ray, crustaceans, jellyfish and comb jellies. Particularly notable during the day were two separate observations of Monachus monachus (Mediterranean Monk Seal), highlighting the ecological importance of the wider Liri coastal area.

Marine mammals

• Monachus monachus (Mediterranean Monk Seal)

Three separate Mediterranean Monk Seal observations were documented at Liri on August 21. 

The presence of Monachus monachus is particularly important because the species depends on relatively undisturbed coastal habitats for resting and reproduction. Observations from Liri therefore add to the continuing documentation of monk seal presence along this part of South-east Pelion.

Fish and rays

• Belone belone (Garfish)
• Chromis chromis (Mediterranean Damselfish)
• Dasyatis pastinaca (Common Stingray)
• Parablennius sanguinolentus (Rusty Blenny)

Jellyfish and comb jellies

• Cotylorhiza tuberculata (Fried Egg Jellyfish)
• Leucothea multicornis (Warty Comb Jelly)

Crustaceans

• Palaemon sp. (Glass Shrimp)

Ecological importance of Liri.

The August 21 observations demonstrate the diversity of marine life that can be encountered within the Liri coastal area, from small benthic fishes and crustaceans to rays, gelatinous organisms and large marine mammals.

The simultaneous documentation of Dasyatis pastinaca and Monachus monachus is particularly relevant to ongoing biodiversity monitoring in the area. Both records contribute to a broader understanding of how different groups of marine wildlife use the coastal habitats around Liri.

Repeated observations from the same coastline can help establish patterns of species presence and seasonal occurrence while providing a stronger baseline for future conservation and monitoring work.
​
The records from August 21 therefore contribute another important snapshot of marine biodiversity at Liri and strengthen the wider documentation of coastal wildlife in South-east Pelion.

HOOKLAB was created to turn those observations into structured data.

Developed by Merman Conservation, HOOKLAB is an independent field research project in South Pelion, Greece, exploring how recreational rod-and-line fishing can contribute to better documentation of coastal fish biodiversity.

The idea is not to turn every fishing trip into a scientific survey.

It is to introduce scientific discipline into observations that are already happening.

​From a catch to a field observation.

A fish encounter contains considerably more information than simply the species caught.
Through HOOKLAB, an observation can include:

• species
• total length
• weight
• number of individuals
• fishing method
• bait or lure
• habitat
• depth
• location
• release status
• field notes
• environmental conditions

Together, these fields create a much richer record of what was observed, where it occurred, and under what circumstances.

HOOKLAB can also attach environmental context such as weather, wave conditions and sea-surface information to an observation. These values are treated transparently as contextual or modelled information rather than measurements taken directly at the fishing location.

Where amateur fishing meets scientific integrity

Citizen science becomes valuable when participation is combined with good methodology.

HOOKLAB therefore focuses on structured recording, transparency and responsible interpretation.

An observation is not considered scientifically valuable simply because it has been entered into an app. Its usefulness depends on the quality of the identification, measurements, location information, supporting context and subsequent review.

This distinction is important.

HOOKLAB is designed to preserve observations in a form that can be examined, compared and curated rather than treating anecdotal information as scientific evidence automatically.

That means embracing both the possibilities and the limitations of recreational fishing data.

A digital field tool for anglers

HOOKLAB is designed to work where observations actually happen: on the coast.

The application combines a fish species guide, nearby verifiable community observations from iNaturalist, local environmental information, fisheries reference information, and a structured observation form. Records are stored locally on the user's device and can be exported in CSV or PDF format.

The project also includes practical field features such as offline species information and reminders relating to sensitive or closed periods. Fisheries information is advisory, and anglers remain responsible for checking current official Greek and European regulations.

The objective is to make careful documentation practical rather than burdensome.

Why recreational fishing data matters

Scientific monitoring cannot be everywhere at once.

Researchers typically work within defined surveys, sampling periods and budgets.

Recreational anglers, meanwhile, repeatedly interact with marine environments across different seasons, weather conditions and coastal locations.

That does not make recreational fishing a replacement for formal scientific surveys.

It does create an opportunity.

When observations are collected consistently and interpreted carefully, they may help reveal patterns worth investigating: changes in species occurrence, size distributions, seasonality, habitat associations or unusual records.

HOOKLAB explores how that observational potential can be captured responsibly.

Building a better relationship between fishing and conservation

Fishing and marine conservation are sometimes presented as opposing interests.

HOOKLAB starts from a different position.

An angler can also be an observer.
A fishing trip can also generate biodiversity information.
A released fish can still contribute a valuable record.
And people who spend substantial time beside the sea can become active participants in understanding the ecosystems they use.

The project therefore aims to encourage a culture of observation, measurement, documentation and responsible interaction with marine wildlife.

Data with purpose

HOOKLAB observations are curated by the project and may, where appropriate, contribute to scientific research and conservation work.

The long-term value lies not in accumulating the largest possible number of records, but in building a dataset whose origins, context and limitations are understood.

That is the principle behind HOOKLAB:
fish carefully, observe closely, record consistently and make the information useful.

HOOKLAB is a Merman Conservation field research project currently focused on Katigiorgis, Mourtias and the wider South Pelion coastline.
​
Explore the project:
https://hooklab.mermanconservation.co.uk/

​On August 9, 2026, our team documented marine biodiversity at Katigiorgis in South-east Pelion, Greece, using a different survey approach from our usual shallow-water marine bioblitzes.

Rather than surveying species directly underwater, observations were made alongside small traditional coastal fishing boats as they returned to Katigiorgis from fishing grounds in deeper water. Marine organisms brought up in the fishing nets were documented as the catch was sorted, with many non-target species subsequently released back into the sea.

Some of the organisms recorded had been brought to the surface from fishing grounds reaching approximately 100 metres in depth. This provided an opportunity to document species that are less frequently encountered during our shallow coastal surveys and offered a glimpse into the biodiversity associated with deeper marine habitats off South-east Pelion.
The observations included fishes, crustaceans, echinoderms, molluscs, anemones, bryozoans and algae.

Fish

• Scorpaena porcus (Black Scorpionfish) - common in the area's shallow waters.
• Symphodus mediterraneus (Axillary Wrasse) - common in the area's shallow waters.
• Torpedo sp. (Electric Ray)

Crustaceans

• Dardanus calidus (Red Hermit Crab)
• Maja crispata (Lesser Spider Crab)

Anemones

• Calliactis parasitica (Parasitic Anemone)

Molluscs

• Pecten jacobaeus (Pilgrim's Scallop)

Echinoderms

• Echinaster sepositus (Mediterranean Red Sea Star) - common in the area's shallow waters.
• Sphaerechinus granularis (Violet Sea Urchin)

Bryozoans

• Schizoporella errata (Branching Bryozoan)

Algae

• Peyssonnelia sp.

Several of the species were observed alive after being removed from the nets and, where possible, were released back into the sea.

These observations highlight the biodiversity that can be encountered through cooperation with small-scale traditional fishers. While this type of opportunistic survey differs from a standard underwater biodiversity assessment and does not provide a complete representation of the deeper-water community, it can contribute valuable records of species that are otherwise difficult to observe directly.
​
Continued collaboration with local fishing communities can complement coastal biodiversity surveys and help build a broader picture of marine life across different depths and habitats in South-east Pelion.

Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres manage complex information every day. Each admitted animal may require identification, clinical assessment, medication, feeding schedules, photographs, laboratory results, progress notes, staff coordination and, eventually, release or mortality records.

When this information is spread across paper forms, spreadsheets, messages and separate files, it becomes difficult to maintain a complete and reliable history for every animal.

To help address this challenge, we created WildCare: Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Management System.

WildCare is a free, open and adaptable digital platform designed to help wildlife rescue centres organise animal care, clinical information, daily tasks and reporting in one place.

What is WildCare?

WildCare is a database-driven management system for wildlife first-aid and rehabilitation centres. It supports both the day-to-day work of staff and volunteers and the more detailed requirements of veterinarians, scientists and centre managers.

The system creates a complete case file for every admitted animal and connects that record with treatments, progress updates, imaging, documents, photographs and daily care schedules. It can also publish selected rescue statistics for supporters and members of the public.

Complete animal case records

Every animal admitted to the centre receives a unique case number.
The record can include:

• Common and scientific species names
• Genus and family
• Sex and age class
• Weight
• Admission date and reason
• Location where the animal was found
• Finder information
• Current rehabilitation status
• Photographs
• Clinical notes
• Release or mortality information
• Administrator-defined custom fields

Species can be selected through iNaturalist taxonomy autocompletion, helping centres maintain consistent scientific names and avoid spelling differences between users.

Medical and rehabilitation records

WildCare keeps clinical information connected to the individual animal record.
Users with the appropriate permissions can add:

• Medications and treatments
• Dosage, route, frequency and duration
• Dated progress notes
• Rehabilitation milestones
• Radiographs and findings
• Laboratory results
• Necropsy reports
• Certificates, permits and supporting documents

The system also maintains a history of changes, showing who updated the record and when.

A complete medical dossier can be exported as a PDF for veterinary clinics, authorities, partner organisations or receiving facilities.

Daily feeding, medication and care schedules

The daily programme converts each animal’s care plan into practical tasks for staff and volunteers.
For a selected date, the centre can organise:

• Feeding schedules
• Medication times
• Assigned staff members or volunteers
• Dosages and instructions
• Completion tracking
• Printed daily programmes
• PDF schedules
• Email distribution to the people on duty

When a task is completed, WildCare records who completed it and at what time. This creates a clearer and more accountable daily workflow.

Roles and permissions

WildCare includes four main user roles:

1. Super Admin
   Controls the full system, including user approvals, roles, permissions, backups and settings.
   
   
2. Admin
   Suitable for centre managers and lead veterinarians.
   
   
3. Member
   Suitable for veterinary staff, biologists and permanent personnel.
   
   
4. Volunteer
   Provides access to assigned tasks, daily schedules and new admission registration without exposing administrative settings or sensitive system functions.
   
   

Permissions can be adjusted in detail, allowing each centre to decide which roles can edit treatments, upload files, manage settings or access particular records.

Reporting, exports and backups

WildCare supports data portability so that centres are not locked into a single system.

The platform includes:

• CSV and Excel imports
• CSV exports
• Individual medical PDF exports
• Google Sheets links
• Google Drive backups
• Preview-before-restore functionality
• Audit records for backups, restores and important system actions

This allows organisations to move existing records into WildCare, continue using established spreadsheets during a transition period and maintain independent backups of their information.

Built for privacy and responsible access

Wildlife rescue records can include sensitive personal and clinical information.

WildCare therefore uses role-based access, approval controls, private file storage and row-level database security. Unapproved users cannot access clinical data, while public statistics provide aggregated totals without exposing animal, finder or user information.

The platform also records important changes and system events in an audit history that ordinary users cannot alter.

English and Greek interface

WildCare currently includes both English and Greek.

Each user can select their preferred interface language, and the system can be expanded with additional languages by adapting the translation files.

This makes the platform suitable for local teams, international partnerships and rescue centres with multilingual staff or volunteers.

Open for everyone to copy and use

WildCare was designed to be adapted, not restricted to one organisation.

Any wildlife rescue or rehabilitation centre can copy the project and create an independent version with its own database and published address.

Centres can change:

• Their name and logo
• Colour palette
• Languages
• Clinical fields
• User permissions
• Public statistics
• Existing admissions data
• Backup settings

The clinical structure is deliberately flexible so that each organisation can adapt the system to its own protocols, species, staff structure and operational needs.

Why we created WildCare?

Wildlife rehabilitation depends on accurate information, clear communication and coordinated care.

A missed medication, incomplete record or unclear handover can affect both animal welfare and scientific reporting. At the same time, many rescue centres operate with limited staff, volunteers and financial resources.

WildCare was created to make professional digital organisation more accessible.

It is not intended to replace veterinary expertise or the centre’s established protocols. It is a practical tool that can support those protocols by keeping information connected, structured and available to the right people.

Better organisation for better wildlife care

WildCare brings animal records, treatments, schedules, staff responsibilities, reports and backups into one system.

Its purpose is simple:
to help wildlife rescue centres spend less time searching for information and more time caring for animals.

WildCare is free, open and ready for rescue centres to copy, customise and use.
​
Open system. Shared knowledge. Better care for wildlife.

https://wildcare.mermanconservation.co.uk/​