What to do when you encounter marine animals while sailing?

The Adriatic is home to numerous marine protected areas established to conserve karst habitats and marine biodiversity. Our sea teems with life—boasting over 7,000 native species, including many endemic, rare, and endangered ones. Remarkably, the Adriatic contains nearly half of all Mediterranean species!

It’s no surprise that sailors often encounter marine animals while navigating the Adriatic. Dolphins, in particular, are a highlight for many, providing opportunities for live sightings and photography. However, responsible sailing—as emphasized in our campaign And Where Do You Anchor?—requires that these animals remain undisturbed in their natural habitats. This is vital to protect their migration patterns, social structures, and breeding activities. Below, learn how to interact respectfully with marine life during your journey.

Which marine animals you can encounter while sailing the Adriatic?

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, ten whale species have been recorded in the Adriatic. The common bottlenose dolphin is the most prevalent species across the region. Other notable species include the striped dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, and Cuvier’s beaked whale, found mostly in the southern Adriatic, while the fin whale appears seasonally in central and southern parts. Sadly, the common dolphin, once abundant throughout the Adriatic, now numbers only around 30 to 50 individuals.

Regarding turtles, three species inhabit the Adriatic: the loggerhead turtle, green turtle, and leatherback turtle. The loggerhead is the most abundant, and the Adriatic is considered one of the most important feeding areas for this species in the Mediterranean.

Whales are apex predators in marine ecosystems, significantly influencing their structure and function. Considering that they are migratory species, they require vast habitats—which humans, through their activities, knowingly or unknowingly, continue to shrink. Sea turtles are also migratory species and one of the most endangered marine species. To improve their conservation, which is crucial for the biodiversity of Adriatic, Sunce is working within the Interreg ASPEH – Adriatic SPEcies and Habitats of coastal areas project. Looking at the bigger picture, through pilot actions aimed at testing long-term conservation measures for key species and habitats, our goal is to support a healthier marine ecosystem across Italy and Croatia.

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Autor: Goran Šafarek

The most common threats to dolphins, whales, and turtles include a lack of prey due to overfishing, accidental bycatch during fishing, collisions with vessels, noise caused by human activities, marine litter, pollution, diseases, and intentional killing.

Guidelines for encounters with dolphins, whales, and turtles

In observance of World Animal Day (October 4), we share the Ministry’s recommendations for interactions with dolphins and whales to minimize human impact. Most of the rules of conduct when encountering dolphins and whales also apply to encounters with sea turtles.

  • Do not direct the vessel directly towards the observed animals.
  • We strongly recommend that you do not attempt to approach the observed animals, but if you decide to do so, do it slowly, at a speed of less than 5 knots (9 km/h), parallel to their movement, avoiding sudden changes in direction or speed.
  • Do not produce sudden engine noise! Ensure that only one vessel is within a 100-meter radius of the animal, and no more than three vessels are within a 200-meter radius.
  • Do not stay near them for more than 30 minutes.
  • If you notice signs of distress or fear in the animals, or observe a mother with young, leave the encounter area immediately (change direction without accelerating).
  • Leave the encounter area by directing the vessel opposite to the animals’ direction, gradually accelerating only once the vessel is more than 200 meters away.
  • For the safety of both individuals and animals, do not swim or dive with the animals, do not feed them, and do not try to touch them.
  • Do not throw litter into the sea or leave it on the shore and beaches; animals may accidentally ingest plastic waste or become entangled in it.

Avoid feeding animals

Additionally, when encountering marine animals, avoid feeding them, as inappropriate food can harm their health. Feeding can alter their behaviour and migration patterns. These behavioural changes can be passed on to their young and other members of the social group.

Animals also lose their natural caution toward boats and people and may develop a habit of expecting food, reducing their need for natural search for food. Some of them may even become aggressive and potentially dangerous to humans when seeking food.

Izvor: Canva

Who to report observed animals to?

All species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles in the Adriatic are strictly protected by the Nature Protection Act, which includes a ban on intentionally disturbing, capturing, or killing these animals. Any of these actions – whether intentional or unintentional – must be reported to the State Inspectorate using the appropriate form.

If you spot an injured, sick, or dead marine mammal or turtle, do not attempt to help or rescue it on your own. Report the case to the emergency number 112 or to the State Institute for Nature Protection of the Ministry of Environment and Green Transition via the online form or by email at [email protected]. A Protocol for these kinds of situations has been established in Croatia.

Be ready to provide the following information:

  • your name, address, and phone number
  • the location and time of the incident
  • what you observed (photographs, video footage, or a detailed description are invaluable)
  • identification of the animal, if possible (including any marks or scars)
  • the condition of the animal (weak, emaciated, etc.)
  • weather conditions.

Become a citizen scientist

In addition to reporting to the relevant authorities, if you spot the mentioned animals – injured or not – or notice an unusual event that threatens the current state of the environment, we encourage you to report your observation by filling out a form for the Blue World Institute or via the Marine Ranger mobile app.

This refers to the citizen science program of the Blue World Institute, which aims to enable citizens to assist scientists in creating a complete picture of the marine environment and biodiversity in the Adriatic.

The collected data on large marine vertebrates, such as whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, helps track rare species, report injured or dead animals, and assess interactions of these species with fisheries. Anyone who spends time at sea, dives, or sails can report sightings and become part of the solution for improving the protection of nature and species.

Izvor: Canva

Underwater noise pollution: a growing concern

Disturbance of marine animals can be caused by the physical presence of ships, as well as the noise created by vessels. All marine organisms, from the smallest plankton to the largest whales, rely on their acoustic environment.

Sound plays a key role in the lives of marine animals, as they can hear it from much greater distances than they can see or smell. Unfortunately, noise can permanently or temporarily damage their hearing, reducing their ability to communicate, navigate, and recognize danger. This can lead to abandoning their natural habitats, thereby decreasing biodiversity in certain areas. Noise can also mask important natural sounds, such as those used to find a mate, prey, or avoid predators. All these consequences, combined with stress, confusion, and panic, can affect reproduction, mortality rates, and population growth, ultimately threatening its long-term sustainability. Noise pollution severely disrupts an already weakened marine ecosystem.

Maritime traffic, as noted by the European Commission, is the main source of continuous underwater noise. The Mediterranean Sea, with 27% of its area affected by shipping traffic, has the highest traffic density in the EU. Overall, only 9% of European seas are unaffected by shipping traffic.

Sailing regattas, which are held worldwide, further contribute to the creation of underwater noise, according to recent research from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Researchers concluded that such events should pay more attention to reducing the noise created by motorized vessels. Measurements showed that on the race day, the noise level around the course was five decibels higher than when there were no races, which is three times higher than the usual sound level. Although organizers took measures, such as limiting the speed of spectator boats, the research suggested additional measures, such as establishing special zones for spectator boats and using platforms to monitor marine mammals.

Changes are needed on a global scale, but as with all sustainable habits, it must start with oneself. To reduce the creation of additional underwater noise, every sailor should avoid traveling at maximum speed and sudden acceleration. Additionally, changing routes is advisable if a sailor finds themselves near whales or other marine mammals.

And remember, while it might be tempting to approach marine animals when you encounter them, it’s always best to observe them from a safe distance, not only for their safety but for yours as well.

Sources:
https://rac-spa.org/nfp12/documents/information/wg.408_inf14_eng.pdf
https://mzozt.gov.hr/vijesti/pravila-ponasanja-prilikom-susreta-s-dupinom-kitom-ili-kornjacom/9814
https://www.hw.ac.uk/news-archive/2024/spectator-boats-at-large-sailing-events.htm
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/zero-pollution-and-biodiversity-first-ever-eu-wide-limits-underwater-noise-2022-11-29_en
aspeh-interreg-eu

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