Morigenos – 25 Years with Dolphins: A Quarter Century of Dedication to Our Sea (2001–2026)

This year marks a special milestone for the Slovenian sea and its permanent inhabitants. Morigenos – the Slovenian Marine Mammal Society – is celebrating 25 years of continuous work. What began in 2001 as the vision of a small group of young enthusiasts has grown into an internationally recognised professional organisation, proudly safeguarding the health and future of our marine ecosystem. Yet our mission has never been limited to the open sea alone; over the years, we have become an integral part of the community, sharing marine knowledge directly with people.
From First Observations to Scientific Achievements
Morigenos was founded with a clear vision: to research and protect dolphins in Slovenian waters while promoting knowledge and respect for the marine environment. Our core work is closely linked to long-term research on the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the northern Adriatic. Since 2002, we have been systematically monitoring dolphins in our waters. Through regular fieldwork, we have come to know individual animals that have become ambassadors of our sea, while the data we collect play a crucial role in improving the understanding and conservation of marine habitats.
The Dolphin Centre: Science at the Heart of the Community
Over the years, we have been proud to bring science closer to people – in schools, workshops, lectures and directly in the field. A major milestone in our work came in June 2023, when we opened the Dolphin Centre in Piran. The Centre offers visitors an interactive, educational and immersive experience of dolphins, the sea and our research activities. It is located in the Baroque House at Tartini Square 10, in the heart of Piran.
More Than Research: Shaping the Future for Our Children and Society
At Morigenos, we believe that protecting the sea is inseparably linked to education and empowering people. Over the years, we have transformed valuable insights from the field into meaningful experiences for all generations.
Through numerous workshops, school lectures, camps and hands-on fieldwork, we have enabled thousands of children to discover dolphins and develop a deep respect for natural heritage. With the Morigenos Academy, we have provided primary and secondary school students with a safe and encouraging environment for active learning, where, through mentorship and research, they develop critical thinking skills and a sense of responsibility towards the environment they will one day inherit.
We also place special emphasis on inclusion and social responsibility. Through the Heart for the Sea programme, we open the world of marine mammals to children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, older people and individuals with special needs, strengthening a sense of belonging and connection. In addition, our From the Classroom to the Sea online learning platform offers free educational content on biology, ecology and nature conservation, tailored to different age groups and levels of prior knowledge – from pupils and students to teachers, parents and nature enthusiasts.
A Sincere Thank You to Our Supporters
On the occasion of this anniversary, we are deeply aware that our journey would not have been possible without the support of many. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has followed our work over the past 25 years, helped spread awareness about dolphins, attended our events, shared our content and reported their observations at sea. Together, you have co-created the story of Morigenos.
Our sincere gratitude also goes to our donors, supporters and sponsors, whose trust enables us to carry out independent and professional field and research work, even in the face of the greatest challenges. A special thank you goes to the Municipality of Piran, which entrusted us with the premises in the Baroque House, allowing science to find its home in the heart of the town and offering visitors the opportunity to get even closer to dolphins.
A Year of Celebration and a Promise for the Future
For us, 25 years is not merely a statistic, but a promise for the future. As the future of dolphins is inseparably linked to the future of our sea, we will continue to pursue our mission with the same dedication – researching, educating and connecting people.
Throughout this jubilee year, we are preparing a series of special activities and events to celebrate this anniversary together with you. We invite you to follow us on our website and social media channels, where we will be sharing updates on everything we have planned.
Thank you for being part of our story and for caring about our sea.