Threatened Whales and Dolphins of the Mediterranean Sea

It is a rather unknown fact that the Mediterranean Sea is an important habitat for whales and dolphins. There and in the Black Sea live seven different whale and four dolphin species. At any time populations of Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) can be found offshore Crete, and Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Ligurian Sea between Italy, France and Corsica. Dolphins such as Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) are seen almost all year round in Greek waters.

It is possible to observe the friendly marine mammals on boat trips. More seldom are Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas), Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus), Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). In spring Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) and other dolphin species follow tuna shoals from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea.

Numerous Dangers

Whales and Dolphins are threatened by food shortage due to over-fishing. Blue and Red Tuna, which are hunted pitilessly, are on the verge of extinction. Whales and dolphins often drown as "by-catch" in the nets of the fishing fleets, or after getting tangled in older nets which were cut and drift freely through the oceans. Sea turtles such as the Loggerhead Turttle (Caretta caretta) are additionally endangered by hook-fishing.

Furthermore, dolphins and the rare Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) are killed by fishermen, should they come close to the traditional gill nets while hunting. The progressive pollution of the Mediterranean by e.g. sewage, mineral oil or plastic waste facilitates disease among marine wildlife. Especially in the Strait of Gibraltar, the increased shipping traffic in the Mediterranean has endangered whales and dolphins and collisions happen time and time again. Also NATO’s sonar experiments in the Mediterranean prove to be a potent menace, since dolphins and whales are damaged to such an extent that mass beachings and subsequent death of the animals occur more and more frequently.

The destruction of untouched coastal habitats and the unlimited construction of new sporting ports with an increased choice of leisure activities narrow the natural habitat of these marine mammals down even further.

Using Success

In order to protect the marine mammals in the Mediterranean Sea in a better way, a binding Agreement on the Conservation of Cataceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) has been established.

The Spanish environmental organisation GOB (Grup Balear d´Ornitologia i Defensa de la Naturalesa) is contributing strongly towards the implementation of the agreement, often by dogged political lobbying. Ten years ago GOB managed to create Spain’s fist marine national park in Cabrera, which is still an exemplary model today. Only a while ago a second marine sanctuary was created in the north of Mallorca after application of political pressure by GOB. Another major success is a speed limit within the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the most frequented waterways in the world, diminishing the risk of collisions between ships and marine mammals.

The Global Nature Fund and GOB are starting a project in the "UN Year of the Dolphin 2007" to improve the protection of whales and dolphins throughout the Mediterranean.

Pleasure Boaters as Conservationists

New sanctuaries are to be elaborated with the help of yachtsmen and yacht owners within the large sailing estuaries around the Balearic Islands. The volunteers are trained to record their chance sightings of whales and dolphins scientifically, without affecting the animals in any way. This survey is then used to determine the most important habitats for dolphins, whereby this information is then used in turn to work on proposals for new marine sanctuaries. You can report your Mediterranean dolphin sightings to GOB via E-mail at Delphin-Walbeobachtungen@planet.ms. The development of alternative, environmentally friendly fishing methods is just as much part of the project as the conservation of the underwater pastures, which acts as a nursery for many fish. The continued pollution of the Mediterranean by illegal waste disposal and sewer pipes, the destruction of further coastal habitats by new hotels and the expansion of sporting ports must be stopped.

Support our projects on-site!

Please donate to Global Nature Fund (GNF):

Account No: 80 40 41 60 00

Bank Code Number: 430 609 67

GLS Gemeinschaftsbank

Keyword: Protection of Dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea

Or donate online for our projects for the protection of marine mammals in the Mediterranean Sea.

For more information please visit the website: www.gobmallorca.com (under construction).