They still trust us, they are still here. Help them if you can

Marine research in the South Tyrrhenian Sea is still providing a remarkable data that for the evaluation and the maintenance of the biodiversity. Crucial information has been gathered identifying cetaceans' vital habitats. Understanding the relationships between the species distribution and behavior and the geomorphology association to each area is essential. That could be a milestone for monitoring these species as bio-indicators of the environmental quality.

The safeguard of the cetaceans cannot be achieved alone, but actually, involves the protection of wide range of species and other factors that share the environment. The peaks of cetacean births corresponds with the period of maximum tourists crowding along the coast of Ischia, newborns have, today, face a new threat constituted by the crews of the speed pleasure crafts.

Unfortunately the cetaceans of Ventonene, Ischia and the rest of the South Tyrrhenian Sea, are constantly endangered from the indirect but even more devastating threats of pollution or global change. Direct threat are also a sad reality. Many of our marine friends are often permanently or deadly injured by collisions with fast motorized pleasure boats and ferries or from fishing with illegal nets.

Ship collisions in the South Tyrrhenian Sea area have been documented for all the cetacean species including striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sperm and fin whales, while a dramatic actions of harassment have been documented on Risso's dolphins.

Other times there have been occasions when calves was first sighted by tourists or pleasure boats and the dolphins group quickly became the target of an ever-increasing number of people on pleasure boats, and was eventually forced by sound and marine traffic large coastal enclosures where about 400 boats were randomly anchored. The dolphins were surrounded for hours by up to 100 boats with their engines turned on, on a sea bottom that was only 3m deep.

Harassment behaviour by pleasure boaters included heading towards the animals at high speed every time they surfaced, sudden changes of route, and continuous attempts to approach the animals at close quarters to take photographs or “interact” with them. All the animals showed clear signs of distress and seemed to be unable to orientate. This caused high-speed erratic swimming, collisions with each other, spinning and swimming in circles with short intervals .

Only the lucky efforts members of the port authorities managed to create an area clear of pleasure boats, and the animals were eventually allowed to head offshore. The occurrence of this kind of dramatic human-dolphin interactions is becoming everyday routine in the busy summer months. Timely management measures are clearly necessary in this key area, where productive submarine canyons seem to play a role in the abundance of cetaceans. Take action now and help this wonderful creatures if you can. If you plan to sail in this area of the South Tyrrhenian Sea and see one of this animals injured or in difficult situation please contact immediately the following authorities who will try to organize rescues:

TAKE THIS CONTACT DETAILS WITH YOU WHEN SAILING or CRUISING IN THE SOUTH TYRRHENIAN SEA

ADDRESSES AND USEFUL NUMBERS

Researchers from DELPHIS MDC, Island of Ischia, via Zaro 22, 80075 Forio (NA)
tel & fax: 081 989578
E-mail : info@delphismdc.org

Ischia Dolphin Project Researchers Jean Gab, Marina di Casamicciola, 80074 Casamicciola Terme, Island of Ischia, Naples, Italy
tel (+39) 349-5749927
e-mail of the director : barbara@delphismdc.org

Port authorities Ischia Island (Capitaneria di Porto di Ischia)
tel. 081 991417

Gaeta’s Port Authorities (Capitaneria di Porto di Gaeta) Region: Latium -
Address: Via Docibile n. 25 - 04024 (LT)
Tel: (+39) 0771/460100 - Fax: 0771/464724
E-mail: gaeta@guardiacostiera.it

San Felice Circeo Local Marine Office – (Ufficio Locale Marittimo di San Felice Circeo)
Tel: 0773548072
E-mail: sanfelicecirceo@guardiacostiera.it

Ventotene Island Local Marine Office – (Ufficio Locale Marittimo di Ventotene)
Tel: 077185291
E-mail: ventotene@guardiacostiera.it

Ponza Island Local Marine Office – (Ufficio Locale Marittimo di Ponza)
Tel: 077180027
E-mail: ponza@guardiacostiera.it