URBAN BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOP TRUNCATUS): FIELD SURVET PROGRAM IN ITALIAN NORTH EAST ADRIATIC SEA

Field monitoring during Summer 2019 highlighted regular occurrence of bottlenose dolphins inside the survied area, Photo Id proved 4 subjects of 46 identified were sighten mulitple times in June July and September 2019. Behavioural data collected suggest bottlenose dolphins exploit this area primarly for hunting activity, taking advance of fishing boats. This is supported also by the absence of dolphins in August, during the fishing ban. Tourist operators often feed bottlenose dolphins to attract them near the boats. Whale watching companies operating in this area frequently do not follow ACCOBAMS guidelines. Often they approach animals with the engine and high music volume on, cutting them off or encircling them. We will continue our project in order to obtain more data on abundance, structure and distribution of bottlenose dolphins in Cesenatico coastal waters. Moreover, we will organize scientific courses for fishermen and tourist operators to explain them how to interact with wild dolphins and how to approach them in a respectful way. A deeoer knowledge of the structure of bottlenose dolphins’popolulation in North Italian Adriatic sea is fundamental to set up concrete actions for future conservation of the specie. A respectufl and conscious approach to these animals is essential to guarantee a positive intraction between animals and human activities. A better communicatio, cooperation and concrete data sharing between research groups working on the same geographic area should be achieved. The institution of a virtual catalog avaliable for each research group should represent a common goal, as well as the organization of scientific seminaries to educate future generations and maritime operators.