SVIBOR - Project code: 3-03-289

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

SVIBOR

SVIBOR - Collecting Data on Projects in Croatia

Project code: 3-03-289


Study and protection of the marine mammals from the Adriatic Sea.


Main researcher: GOMERČIĆ, HRVOJE (13875)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/95.
Papers on project (total): 26
Institution name: Veterinarski fakultet, Zagreb (53)
Department/Institute: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology
Address: 10000 ZAGREB, Heinzelova 55, CROATIA
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (1) 23 90 250
Fax: 385 (1) 214 697
E-mail: gomercic@olimp.irb.hr
Summary: We have been observing and documenting the encounters with marinemammals (Maditerranean monk seal, dolphins and whales) interritorial sea of the Republic of Croatia. We have registered afew observings of Mediterrenean monk seal around the islands ofPalagruža, Lastovo and Pag. The dolphins have been seen relativlyoften, although it was almost always the same species -bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). There are indicationsthat two Risso's dolphins have been seen twice, each time onlyone specimen. Also, a whale from the Balaenoptera family was seenonce and a carcass of a fin whale cub (Balaenoptera physalus), 11meters long was found. We've also examined bodies of 6 deaddolphins and determined the age, the species and their healthcondition. Five specimens were bottlenosed dolphins. In this seait was found for the first time a specimen of the striped dolphin(Stenella caeruleoalba). On the base of these studies, we canconclude that nowdays, in the Adriatic sea, there lives mainlythe species of bottlenosed dolphin which population is estimatedto 150 - 300 specimens. We have also done a written andelaborated proposal for permanent and complete conservation ofdolphins and other cetaceans in Croatia, which we've addressed tothe Ministry of enviromental protection of Republic of Croatiaand to the other relevant institutions in Croatia.

Keywords: dolphins, bottlenosed dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, striped dolphin, Stenella caeruleoalba, whales, Cetacea, study, conservation, Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Mediterranean monk seal

Research goals: The goals of the study are getting acquainted with biological characteristics of the populations of the marine mammals in the Croatina part of the Adriatic Sea and to prepare conditions fortheir protection. Extinction of certain species of marine mammals due to human neglect, could result in dangerous disbalance of biocenosis. As well, we want to study the species of the dolphins living or just periodically inhabiting the Adriatic Sea, and to establish their health condition. The results of these studies could provide the right management of those species and Adriatic biocenosis as a whole, and at the same time they would contributeto the whole worldwide knowledge of marine mammals, that is nowdays very actual.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS



COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Deptartment of Veterinary Pathology
    Type of institution: Other
    Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of information
    City: 20306-6000 - Washington DC, USA

  2. Name of institution: Tethys Research Institute
    Type of institution: Non-profit
    Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information
    City: Milano, Italia
Other information about the project.
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