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On behalf of my co-author and myself, I am delighted to bring to your attention the publication of our last research published by the scientific journal Oceans 2024, 5(3), 429-441; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans5030025

The paper summarizes 13 years of cetaceans' strandings along the Bulgarian coast in the western Black Sea.

Abstract: Cetacean strandings are valuable sources of data about their life history, health status, population trends, and impact of threats. We examined the strandings along the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea for a period of 13 years from 2010 to 2022. A total of 1528 cetacean strandings of all three species inhabiting the basin were recorded: 1031 harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena, 199 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 97 common dolphins Delphinus delphis, 19 delphinids and 182 unidentified. The highest numbers were observed in 2016 and 2022. Monthly peaks for harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin were in July and August and for common dolphin in May. An unusually high mortality of porpoise neonates was recorded in 2015 and 2016. The overall sex ratio showed a slightly higher share of males at 120:100. This bias was the most pronounced for males of common dolphins. Spatial distribution varied interspecifically but was predominantly along the southern coast. Bycatch signs were detected in 80 animals including during the turbot fishing ban period, suggesting the existence of illegal fishing operations. All of this highlights the need for better reinforcement and control to ensure both the conservation of endangered cetaceans and the sustainability of fisheries. Improvement in data collection is needed to improve the quality of information.

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Mr. Dimitar Popov, PhD
Project Manager
GREEN BALKANS NGO

LIFE19 NAT/BG/000804 LIFE FOR POMORIE LAGOON

1, Skopie str., office 10
Plovdiv 4004, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 (0) 32 626 977
Fax: +359 (0) 32 635 921
Mobile +359 (0)885 108712
E-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
http://www.greenbalkans.org
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