Colleagues in Croatia are celebrating after the Croatian authorities
established the first dolphin protection zone in the entire Mediterranean region. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Jadran Antolovic, declared the establishment of the Lošinj Dolphin Reserve on August 6.

The Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation said that the protection zone, an area of some 52,500 hectares on and around the island of Losinj, near Rijeka, in the northern Adriatic, was a "serious commitment" by the Croatian government to ensure development would not threaten further degradation of marine life in the region. Blue World, has made scientific studies of the local dolphin population over the last 20 years. The group estimates that the number of bottlenose dolphins regularly inhabiting the waters around Losinj has declined to around 100 animals, a drop of 20%, in the past decade. The decline is largely attributable to increased human activity, most particularly shipping and fast motor-boat traffic.

Peter Mackelworth, Blue World's conservation director, said, "We have recorded and analyzed data which show that the sightings of dolphins is inversely connected to the noise levels in the water produced by boats. The dolphins simply disappear during July and August when traffic is at is highest. And they seem to remember the disturbances, and come back less often to the worst affected areas,".

He stressed that the institute was not simply "anti" development, but wanted to work with all stakeholders to ensure sustainable progress was made.

To view the protected area please click here