European Ocean Biodiversity Information System

The ongoing Dolphin Watching and Conservation in the Gulf of Catania project started in 2014. It integrates research, eco-tourism and dissemination activities in order to inform the local community about the presence of cetaceans and the correct code of good conduct to follow during their observation. Surveys at sea have been conducted onboard an inflatable boat with 150 Cv along random or preset fixed transects at low speed (£6 knots) and with good weather conditions (sea lower or equal to 3 Douglas scale). During sightings, the Ad libitum sampling and the Photo-Identification methods were applied. Collected data during monitoring activities include: date, time and geographical coordinates of survey tracks and sightings, direction and speed of navigation, direction and general behavior of the animals, species sighted (indicating the total number of individuals, juveniles and calf), ID of adult bottlenose dolphins sighted and their social relationship (catalogue of 57 photo-identified individuals "recaptured" in the years). Data on the presence of marine traffic, marine litter and fisheries activities (position and number of the boats, type of fishing gears); presence of other species like birds, fish, jellyfish; information on bottlenose dolphin-fishing gears interaction cases, diving times of dolphins and whales; meteorological conditions (wind, sea, sky, precipitation, visibility) were collected too. First results are helping scientists and policy makers to set up appropriate measure addressed to the protection of the most threatened species and habitats in Sicily. In this framework, many university internships are carried out. "