Extent of whale and dolphin watching

Slovenia is known for its natural beauty, including dramatic alpine peaks and cliffs that overlook the sea. Slovenia’s coastline is very short, but features a range of coastal and marine habitat types. Slovenian and adjacent waters are home to a resident population of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), which live here year-round. Other species such as striped dolphins, common dolphins or fin whales are recorded more rarely.

Target species, peak times of year and locations:

Research carried out since 2002 by Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society has shown that about 150 common bottlenose dolphins live here. They can be seen year-round and along the entire Slovenian coastline. Dolphins use this area for all important activities, including feeding, socialising and resting, as well as for breeding and nursing. Females with calves are regularly observed.

Each year between June and September, Morigenos organises several 10-day Dolphin Research Courses in Piran, where anyone can become a member of the research team and help study dolphins in their natural environment.

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Regulations and guidelines

All whale and dolphin species are legally protected in Slovenia, thus prohibiting any killing of animals or taking samples of them or deliberately disturbing them to the level that influences their lifecycle. Slovenia is a member of the European Union, and all the relevant European legislation therefore applies. In addition, Slovenia is a party to several international conventions and agreements, including CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) and ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area).

Conducting research, that includes taking of samples of animals or disturbing them to the level that that influences their lifecycle, requires a permit. Morigenos conducts research with a permit.

It is considered, that encounters with cetaceans are not disturbance, if they are in line with ACCOBAMS whalewatching guidelines:

http://www.accobams.org/new_accobams/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ACCOBAMS_MOP4_Res.4.7.pdf

Morigenos applies these guidelines, and the following code of conduct during dolphin encounters:

• Maintaining minimal boat speed in the vicinity of dolphins.
• Dolphins are approached slowly, taking a route parallel to their course.
• Dolphins are not approached head-on or directly from their rear.
• Sudden changes of speed or direction are avoided.
• A distance of at least 20 m from the animals is maintained, unless the animals approach the boat themselves.
• The time spent with the animal is kept to a minimum required to collect necessary data.
• Behaviour is constantly monitored for potential signs of disturbance.
• If animals show signs of disturbance, the encounter is terminated.
• No sonars or sounders are used during dolphin encounters.
• No feeding of the dolphins or swimming with them is allowed.
• Upon leaving the animals, minimum speed is maintained until at least 200 m from the animals. The speed is then increased gradually.

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RESEARCH ON WHALE WATCHING IN SLOVENIA

Dolphins in Slovenian and adjacent waters have been studied since 2002 by the Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society. Dolphin-watching in Slovenia is carried out as part of scientific and educational activities carried out by Morigenos. 

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