On May 25, the team of Green Balkans once again set sail on a marine expedition in the Black Sea aimed at studying the three species of Black Sea cetaceans found in Bulgarian waters. On board the yacht “Kaliakria,” alongside the organization’s ecologists, are also experts from Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”.
During the expedition, the specialists conduct observations from the vessel and apply the so-called transect method, through which they collect valuable data on the distribution and behavior of marine mammals. The initiative is part of the organization’s long-term efforts dedicated to the research and conservation of Black Sea wildlife.
Over the years, Green Balkans’ marine expeditions have become an established annual tradition, carried out with the support of the Swiss foundation OceanCare.
The very first day of this year’s mission brought impressive results. The team recorded a record number of harbor porpoise sightings in this part of the Bulgarian Black Sea waters. According to the experts, this indicates a temporary aggregation of the species along the Bulgarian coast. The reasons may vary, but the most likely explanation is the availability of food resources.
The exciting observations continued on the second day of the expedition. Today, our team surveyed the transects located south of Pomorie, where, quite expectedly, numerous harbor porpoises were once again recorded.
During the voyage, the team also encountered several challenges. GPS signal interference temporarily disrupted the operation of the navigation systems on board. As we have previously reported, such disturbances are among the indirect consequences of the war in Ukraine, leading to GPS signal jamming or spoofing in the Black Sea region. This is just one example of the negative impact military conflicts can have on human society and scientific work — one of the key drivers of development and progress. That is why our team’s message is clear: “Make science, not war!”
More days of intensive marine observations lie ahead, during which scientists and conservationists will continue gathering information on the condition of marine mammals and the Black Sea ecosystem. The collected data will later be systematized and analyzed to support the conservation of the sea and its inhabitants.
During the expedition, the specialists conduct observations from the vessel and apply the so-called transect method, through which they collect valuable data on the distribution and behavior of marine mammals. The initiative is part of the organization’s long-term efforts dedicated to the research and conservation of Black Sea wildlife.
Over the years, Green Balkans’ marine expeditions have become an established annual tradition, carried out with the support of the Swiss foundation OceanCare.
The very first day of this year’s mission brought impressive results. The team recorded a record number of harbor porpoise sightings in this part of the Bulgarian Black Sea waters. According to the experts, this indicates a temporary aggregation of the species along the Bulgarian coast. The reasons may vary, but the most likely explanation is the availability of food resources.
The exciting observations continued on the second day of the expedition. Today, our team surveyed the transects located south of Pomorie, where, quite expectedly, numerous harbor porpoises were once again recorded.
During the voyage, the team also encountered several challenges. GPS signal interference temporarily disrupted the operation of the navigation systems on board. As we have previously reported, such disturbances are among the indirect consequences of the war in Ukraine, leading to GPS signal jamming or spoofing in the Black Sea region. This is just one example of the negative impact military conflicts can have on human society and scientific work — one of the key drivers of development and progress. That is why our team’s message is clear: “Make science, not war!”
More days of intensive marine observations lie ahead, during which scientists and conservationists will continue gathering information on the condition of marine mammals and the Black Sea ecosystem. The collected data will later be systematized and analyzed to support the conservation of the sea and its inhabitants.
