Eight years of work and data collection from Green Balkans' staff and volunteers have finally been completed. Winter is sometimes a season in which, while fieldwork is limited, we manage to concentrate on old folders, for which we never have time. The results are about to get more interesting, and here are some of them.
The data are from pictures of dorsal fins and other parts with visible and well-distinguished markings of dolphins in the Bulgarian Black Sea region for subsequent photo-identification, which is a methodology for assessment of status and distribution of their populations, determining the importance of certain habitats off the coast for their ecology and biology, as well as to study the behavior and social structure of their groups by creating a catalog with individuals. In short, each individual in this catalog has a unique dorsal fin and can be recognized by it if seen elsewhere or at other times. Two catalogs were prepared: Bottlenose dolphin - 82 individuals; Common dolphin - 28 individuals.
We remind you that in 2012, thanks to a project implemented by Green Balkans, in the Bulgarian section of the Black Sea there were carried out pilot activities on the photo-ID of dolphins and the first catalog with individuals for our country was prepared.
One of the most interesting results so far is the Bottlenose dolphin individual captured in 2012 and recaptured in 2018. The veteran in our catalog seems to have preferences for the Southern Black Sea coast, and more specifically the area around Dyuni beach. Another interesting observation that is yet to be confirmed is the specialization of certain groups in feeding on discards from fishermen. In the prepared catalog, there are a total of eight recaptures of Bottlenose dolphins and one of Common dolphin. The results are still being finalized and we hope there will be more exciting news with which to rejoice friends of dolphins, sea and nature.
Once finalized, the catalog will be available to all colleagues working in the conservation of cetaceans. By comparing individuals in catalogs from different regions of the Black Sea we will learn more about the migration of these vulnerable mammals, the threats that loom over them, as well as their ecology and social structure.
For additional information:
Galina Meshkova - Green Balkans, e-mail: gmeschkova@greenbalkans.org
Dimitar Popov - Green Balkans, Phone: 0885 108712; e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
The data are from pictures of dorsal fins and other parts with visible and well-distinguished markings of dolphins in the Bulgarian Black Sea region for subsequent photo-identification, which is a methodology for assessment of status and distribution of their populations, determining the importance of certain habitats off the coast for their ecology and biology, as well as to study the behavior and social structure of their groups by creating a catalog with individuals. In short, each individual in this catalog has a unique dorsal fin and can be recognized by it if seen elsewhere or at other times. Two catalogs were prepared: Bottlenose dolphin - 82 individuals; Common dolphin - 28 individuals.
We remind you that in 2012, thanks to a project implemented by Green Balkans, in the Bulgarian section of the Black Sea there were carried out pilot activities on the photo-ID of dolphins and the first catalog with individuals for our country was prepared.
One of the most interesting results so far is the Bottlenose dolphin individual captured in 2012 and recaptured in 2018. The veteran in our catalog seems to have preferences for the Southern Black Sea coast, and more specifically the area around Dyuni beach. Another interesting observation that is yet to be confirmed is the specialization of certain groups in feeding on discards from fishermen. In the prepared catalog, there are a total of eight recaptures of Bottlenose dolphins and one of Common dolphin. The results are still being finalized and we hope there will be more exciting news with which to rejoice friends of dolphins, sea and nature.
Once finalized, the catalog will be available to all colleagues working in the conservation of cetaceans. By comparing individuals in catalogs from different regions of the Black Sea we will learn more about the migration of these vulnerable mammals, the threats that loom over them, as well as their ecology and social structure.
For additional information:
Galina Meshkova - Green Balkans, e-mail: gmeschkova@greenbalkans.org
Dimitar Popov - Green Balkans, Phone: 0885 108712; e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
