DOLPHIN PROTECTION IN ADRIATIC SEA: AN EXAMPLE OF HOW APPLIED RESEARCH HELPS EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION OF MEDITERRANEAN BIODIVERSITY On Sunday 6th August, during the celebration of the 14th Dolphin Day, held regularly since 1993 on the island of Lošinj, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Jadran Antolovic, declared the establishment of the Lošinj Dolphin Reserve (Ministry of Culture, Republic of Croatia, UP/I-612-07/06-33/676, 532-08-02-1/5-06-1, July 26, 2006). With him to celebrate this occasion were the Executive Secretary of The Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS), Dr. Marie-Christine Van Klaveren and the Assistant Minister for Nature Protection, Mr. Zoran Sikic. The celebration was hosted at the Lošinj Marine Education Centre the base for the activities of the Blue World Marine Institute for Research and Conservation. This achievement was also marked with congratulations sent by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Stjepan Mesic for the successful fruition of research work undertaken by Blue World and concerted cooperation with representatives from the State Institute for Nature Protection, the Croatian Natural History Museum and the ACCOBAMS Secretariat. The area (http://www.blue-world.org/MPA/) is protected under the Croatian Law on nature protection as Special Zoological Reserve for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and as such is subject to the strictest type of protection regime. Initially, the area receives “preventive protection” with protection from the development of any new human activities, for a maximum of three years. This will allow the establishment of a management body and the preparation of a management plan for the permanent Reserve. After this period the designation will become permanent through a Decree of the Government. The Lošinj Dolphin Reserve represents the first MPA dedicated specifically for the protection of one dolphin population in the Mediterranean. It is the biggest marine protected area in the entire Adriatic, totalling 526 square kilometres. Together with bottlenose dolphins, this Reserve will help conserve a number of other endangered and protected species of flora and fauna and their critical habitats found within the designated area. For example, wintering sites of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), sea grass (Posidonia oceanica) beds, coral biocenoses and nesting sites of the common European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis). Moreover, recent research identified 152 species of marine flora, 303 species of marine invertebrates (7 strictly protected, 9 protected) and 112 species of fish (19 endangered species in Croatia) within the area. This area is known also for important underwater archaeological sites particularly the site where the Greek bronze statue, a priceless replica of Lizip’s Apoksymenos, was discovered. The designation of this Reserve was based on the findings of a set of focused research projects carried out by Blue World Institute on critical factors affecting distribution and abundance of bottlenose dolphins in this area over the last 12 years, and the local socio-economic impact of this designation. These studies are contained in two PhD thesis carried out in cooperation with the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews (UK), University College London (UK) and Tethys (Italy). These academic theses represent a growing trend in combining academia with policy implementation and were fundamental in stimulating the development of the reserve. This designation represents one of the few examples of how policy makers and researchers can effectively work together toward a common goal. For more details, please contact: Drasko Holcer, president Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Kastel 24, HR-51551 Veli Losinj, Croatia, Drasko.Holcer@blue-world.org or visit: www.blue-world.org -- Draško Holcer, president Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation Kaštel 24, HR-51551 Veli Lošinj, Croatia tel +385 51 604666 fax +385 51 604668 mbl +385 91 4637424 Internet: www.blue-world.org e-mail Drasko.Holcer@blue-world.org