In June 2008 Gaia Research Institute Onlus started a systematic survey of mega-fauna in the Northern Eastern Ionian Sea, in cooperation with the researchers of the Life and System Biology Department of the University of Turin (Italy). GAIA_IONIAN_2008-2018 dataset includes ten years of effort (survey track) and sightings data of marine mammals and marine reptiles collected by experienced marine mammal observers (MMOs) on board of a 12m sailing vessel. MMOs visually inspected both sides (130° angle) of the research vessel, while navigating along random transects. Distance and angle from the track line of each sighting were always recorded.

In December 2014 Gaia Research Institute Onlus started a systematic survey of mega-fauna in the Adriatic and Ionian Sea Region, employing ferry as a platform of observation, along the Ancona - Patra (ANPA) lane. Monitoring activity is part of the Fixed Line Transect Mediterranean Monitoring Network (FLT Med Net), led by ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research).

In January 2004 the Life and System Biology Department of the University of Turin (Italy) started a systematic survey of the mega-fauna in the framework of the Life Project Del.Ta. NAT/IT/000163. Dataset LAMPEDUSA_2004-2006 includes 3 years of effort (survey track) and sightings data of cetaceans and marine reptiles, collected from dedicated trained Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) on board of an inflatable boat, in the Pelagie Archipelago (Sicily Strait, Mediterranean Sea). MMOs placed on both sides of the inflatable boat collected data following random and fixed transect, each observer covering an angle of 130° from the bow, and monitoring mega-fauna presence and distribution.