2011 Dear Friends Annual Magazine of the Blue World Institute of Marine Research & Conservation I am particularly happy to have received two reports of a whale, in this opportunity to greet you from the mid-July in Rijeka Bay and in early October pages of another Akvamarin. In this near the bridge of Pag. Although one of introductory section I will briefly present the observations was accompanied with a to you what we were occupied with amateur footage of the whale, it wasn't throughout the year. To start, I'd like to possible to confirm the species with any mention that we are extremely pleased certainty. However, we assume that in with the large number of school and both cases it was a fin whale - Balaenop- kindergarten groups which visited us to tera physalus. participate in our lectures and workshops. In mid-summer the residents of This was the busiest year yet for groups in Osor on the island of Cres informed us the centre. In June the Blue World Youth about the presence of the solitary bottle- Club was founded in Rijeka to help nose dolphin in the harbour. Dolphin develop programmes about biodiversity encounters in the ports are not rare - and environmental conservation for healthy animals can leave the port just as elementary and high school students. If well as how they entered, and it is best not you live or work around Rijeka and would to disturb them. Thanks to your calls we like to join please contact me. had two injured sea turtles for recovery, Concerning the field work, our and one of them was sent to the aquarium research activities continued and it was a in Pula, the other was released after some great year. This past season we didn't have recuperation time. any difficulties in finding dolphins: during This year the 19th Dolphin Day 70 trips on the sea we found them 86 was organized on the 1st of July, 2011, this times. Furthermore, this year my will be the new date for this celebration for colleagues Nikolina and Grga were instruc- the coming years. Despite the change of tors for training researchers in Albania and the date, the response of visitors and Montenegro. Blue World is a recognised participants of this year's Dolphin Day regional trainer for the Adriatic sea which exceeded our expectations. highlights the professionalism in studying In the Lošinj Marine Educational and protecting of these amazing marine Centre, beside its permanent exhibition, animals. this summer it has hosted two very In addition to the usual research interesting photo exhibitions. Visitors had and educational activities some events the opportunity to see the island through will certainly be remembered. One of the lens of Igor Čavlek, the author of the them is of course the observation of the exhibition "Around the island". And later in monk seal on the 24th of June off the the summer the members of the Lošinj western coast of the island of Cres. The Photo club, presented the exhibition titled Mediterranean monk seal is one of the "The Island". most endangered marine mammals and Finally, a warm thanks to all our probably the rarest seal species in the donators, adopters and volunteers, whose world. So, it's always a welcome guest in support every year enables us to continue the Adriatic Sea. During this sighting with research and protection of dolphins in underwater film was recorded, and this the Adriatic Sea. If you have not done it individual is most likely an adult female already we invite you to visit us, and until which was observed also last year in the then enjoy this new issue of Akvamarin. area of cape Kamenjak in Istria. During this research season, we Best regards! Mateja Zekan Dolphin Day Winning Drawing 2011: Ivan Grgić, aged 10, Zagreb www.blue-world.org [email protected] Where are they now? Santiago Ivan Jop Despite its male name, when we first Tac met this year in July, Santiago surprised us by This year we met Jop four times. We having a newborn calf by her side. We met them first met this 'teenage' dolphin in the company We met Ivan twice this year. The first This year we were alittle bit worried near the island of Oruda and the tiny fin of of his mother in July in a large group of 35 time we saw him in a group of 14 dolphins near because we did not see Tac until October. And Santiago’s newborn was hardly even noticed on dolphins near the island of Prvić. That was also the islet of Kozjak close to Lošinj Island. With then, in an interval of 7 days, we observed her in the surface close to its mothers body. Shortly the first encounter with Jop we recorded in the him in the group were Lily, Elmar, Quirin, and two very remote locations just within the after that we saw them again in Lošinj Channel, Velebit Channel. Shortly thereafter, we noticed Nataša with her baby. As usual, he delighted us border of the research area. We first met at the between the island of Orjule and Veli Lošinj, in a him immediately when sailing from the port of with his playful behaviour and stunts. island Zečevo in Velebit channel in a group of 40 large group of about two dozen dolphins. Veli Lošinj, accompanied by another 30 or so Next time we met him only in early dolphins. Beside her was her calf from 2008 that Besides Santiago, the group included other dolphins. Some of them, like Mirna's and October, near the Island Zečevo in the Velebit socialized with other 'teenagers' in the group. moms from the area of Kvarnerić that are Celina's offspring are Jop's good friends. They Channel. And this is when Ivan proved to be an He delighted us with a tireless exhibition of well-known to us, including Quiz and Quizson. are often together in the group, and very often extremely sociable dolphin. He came to our acrobatics. Next time we encountered her in the Females of bottlenose dolphins appear come close to our research boat, which gives us boat watching us curiously. His regular shaped southeastern part of the research area, accom- frequently together. Adult females then help a chance to make good photos of their dorsal fin, which still has the recognisable white stripe, panied by Allison and her calf Indy. On that each other in the group by watching their fins for their identification later. Young dolphins this year got two new small knicks in the occasion they were feeding behind a trawler offspring when the mother decides to separate typically do not have significant notches or middle. with Tac's and Alison's calves repeatedly for a little time to search for prey. markings on their fins, so it is very important to He was regularly seen in a group this approaching us and for a time surfing the bow The last time we met Santiago was document even their smallest changes with year swimming with Vivian, Tijana and her calf. wave of our research boat. near the island of Silba with dolphins Tanja and good photos. We hope soon to have another chance to enjoy Tac is one of the rare dolphins whose her calf while feeding on fish behind the trawler. Every time we meet a large group, his company and that he will take some time to dorsal fin has remained almost unchanged. Our presence did not hinder their activity. They our eyes always look for Jop's fin, and when we entertain us with his dynamic and playful There is a visible white line in the form of a appeared regularly on the surface with their finally see it, everyone is very excited. In August character. lightning bolt which makes her easy to identify calves curious glancing at us and Santiago’s we saw him near the island of Morovnik and on the sea. We hope next year we have more newborn treated us with a particularly interest- again in September in the very heart of our opportunity to socialize with our Tac. ing jump. research area, near the islet of Kozjak. To adopt a dolphin please visit our website: http://www.blue-world.org/en/get-involved/adopt-a-dolphin/ Mush Debby Meta Sonja We've known Meta for years now. He's always been very friendly and gregarious, usually seen with his gang: Mush is one of the most resident Sonja is one of those dolphins Mush, Lily, Maestral, Duje and Šime. This dolphins in our area. We still find him that surprises us. Most dolphins prefer year however, we noticed that Meta regularly in the Lošinj archipelago. After all, certain areas, but she can be seen from as To us Debby is something like a matured. He is now calmer, swimming this is where all his friends are. This year far north as Krk island to the most southern gentle giant. She is a huge dolphin with aside of the group, as if he does not need we saw him around islands of Oruda, part of our study area, around islands of very long dorsal fin and very dark body to prove himself anymore with fighting Palacol and Orjule, but also just in front of Silba, Olib and Molat. She obviously travels coloration. When observed in a group of and jumping. Veli Lošinj where he was fishing together great distances, but is always in groups dolphins she is definitely distinctive and We’ve seen him mostly in the with other males.