The Blue World Institute research team spent the past few days studying common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in North Dalmatia. The research activities are part of a multiannual collaboration with public institutions “Kornati National Park” and “Nature Park Telašćica”. During the two-day fieldwork, we observed five groups of bottlenose dolphins on the southernmost part of Kornati Island and off the west coast of Dugi Island, within Nature Park Telašćica. The collected data will contribute to defining the spatial distribution of common bottlenose dolphins in this area and will improve the current knowledge on social relationships and interactions between the individuals within investigated areas. In addition to the impressive beauty of the landscape, we also admired the rich marine biodiversity. Along with a large number of dolphins, we managed to record a variety of other interesting marine organisms. Learn something about them and enjoy our photos!

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)

The Adriatic Sea is a very important habitat for loggerhead sea turtles. Their abundance within the basin is estimated to be no less than 31,000 individuals. Genetic studies reveal most individuals belong to a population nesting along the Greek coast.

Salp (Salpa maxima)

These pelagic tunicates feed on phytoplankton. They move by contracting their body and expelling water outwards. They may be observed either as single individuals or in colonies. In 2013, a colony almost seven meters long has been recorded in the Adriatic Sea.

Siphonophora (suborder Physonectae)

Physonectae are extremely rare in coastal ecosystems and there are just few records of these organisms originating from the coastal part of the Adriatic Sea. There are almost no records of observations at the sea surface during the day. Siphonophores are gelatinous organisms that live in colonies composed of zooids with specialized functions crucial for the survival of the colony. They feed by catching prey with their stinging cells and have the ability to sting you.

Scopoli’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)

This strictly protected bird species nests along the shores of rocky islands and islets of the open sea. They feed on small fish and marine invertebrates that include cuttlefish, catching them at small depths, close to the sea surface. They are equipped with beaks specifically shaped to better grab and grip their slippery prey.