Whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean
Content
It is estimated that there are about 15 different species of whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea. All of these species are severely threatened by human activities. To protect these large marine animals, the Pelagos Whale Sanctuary (also known as the Santuario dei Cetacei) was established in 1999 by the Mediterranean countries of France, Monaco, and Italy.
Pelagos whale sanctuary
How big is the protected area?
The reserve is located around the island of Corsica and extends from the Cote d'Azur to southern Tuscany (Monte Argentario). It covers a water surface of around 85.000 square kilometers and is therefore more than twice the size of Switzerland.
Due to the large food supply for both marine mammals and dolphins, both the fin whale (the second largest whale at around 22 m in length) and the Cuvier beaked whale and sperm whale are at home in this area, a total of around 4.000 whales in the Mediterranean.
Dolphins in the Mediterranean are threatened
The common dolphin is being pushed back further and further in the Mediterranean. It can no longer be found in the Adriatic and its habitat in the eastern Mediterranean is increasingly restricted. In the protected area "Pelagos" the remaining species are to be researched, e. B. the blue and white dolphin with a length of about 2 m, the common dolphin with about 2,50 m, the bottlenose dolphin with about 3,50 m and the round head dolphin with up to 4 m in length.
Cetacean Alliance aims to save threatened marine animals
In order to preserve this biodiversity in the Mediterranean, research institutes and conservation organizations have come together to form the "Cetacean Alliance". Joint activities are intended to improve the habitat for the threatened marine animals and thus reduce the negative impact of human interference in natural cycles.
The German branch of the globally active organization "Oceancare" is also involved in conservation efforts and has launched the "MedCet" project. This project offers week-long courses where interested individuals can observe whales and dolphins in the open sea and learn about their habits. The goal is to raise awareness among participants about the need to protect these endangered animals. " Deepwave " is also dedicated to protecting whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean. Video documentaries and films can be viewed on the website cetaceanalliance.org .
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours?
Several agencies in larger towns such as Viareggio ( click here for map view ) on the Tuscan coast now offer tours with motorboats or sailboats to show tourists the natural spectacle of whales and dolphins.
As a rule, however, the organizers do not guarantee that you will actually see whales or dolphins in the few hours at sea.
Official bodies are quite reserved on this issue. While they want to boost tourism, they also want to protect endangered animals in their habitat as much as possible. We at Toskanatour therefore recommend that you contribute to the conservation of endangered wildlife so that it can be preserved in its natural environment for many years to come. This form of mass tourism should therefore not necessarily be an option.
As a good alternative to a "whale and dolphin tour," you could, for example, take a tour with Pescaturisma SIRENA from Talamone ( click here for a map view ). Paolo Fanciulli is a passionate fisherman who is committed to sustainable fishing. He offers tours with interesting background information off the coast of Tuscany. You can find more information here . And perhaps you'll even be lucky enough to encounter whales and dolphins.
