Bottlenose dolphin project

The project is a yearly monitoring of coastal bottlenose dolphins off north-eastern Sardinia and the Strait of Bonifacio. The La Maddalena Archipelago and the so-called “Emerald Coast” are between the most popular destinations for nautical tourism in the Mediterranean.

They are also home to a resident population of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting all year round these waters. These dolphins change their distribution and the habitat use according to the seasons, the distribution of prey and the intensification of the human pressure on the sea environment occurring during the summer, due to intense boat traffic. So far, few studies have investigated this population within this area. It is therefore an ideal location to study the relationship between human activities (fisheries, boat traffic, urban development) and cetaceans.
SEA ME Sardinia conducts boat-based surveys to investigate the demographic parameters, social dynamics, habitat use, movements, seasonal occurrence and interaction with human activities of bottlenose dolphins inhabiting this region.

We work in collaboration with local municipalities, marine protected areas, environmental agencies, and other non profit organisations. We also aim to disseminate our results to the general public and promote awareness on the conservation of our seas. In this way, we hope to contribute to a sustainable coexistence of human activities and this dolphin population.