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Monthly Archives: March 2026
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24-03-2026

Dolphin education at sea: collaborations with local panoramic boat operators

Dolphin education at sea: collaborations with local panoramic boat operators

At Morigenos, we are excited to begin a new season of spring educational programmes. Each year, our “blue classroom” at sea welcomes numerous school groups, offering students the opportunity to explore the world of marine mammals in their natural environment.
To ensure a high-quality experience for schools and to accommodate groups of varying sizes, we regularly collaborate with local panoramic boat operators. These partnerships provide us with the logistical flexibility needed to deliver our programmes at different locations along the Slovenian coast.
A new season aboard Bracera Meja
This spring, some of our first groups will be hosted aboard the vessel Bracera Meja. We are grateful to the crew for their openness and support in enabling us to deliver our educational content on dolphin biology, marine conservation, and biodiversity in a setting that brings participants closer to the natural environment.
We are pleased that the Slovenian coast offers diverse opportunities for the implementation of such programmes. Collaborating with a range of local operators allows us to adapt to different group sizes and the specific needs of individual schools, ensuring a high-quality experience for every participant.
Our programmes are designed to complement the school curriculum while encouraging a deeper appreciation of nature through direct experience. During the programme, pupils and students will learn:
    • How individual dolphins are identified using photo-identification techniques
    • Why the Gulf of Trieste is a key habitat for the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
    • How marine research is conducted and why scientific data are essential for conservation
    • How individuals can contribute to the protection of a clean and healthy marine ecosystem
Book your “blue classroom” experience
We invite all primary and secondary schools to join us in exploring the richness of our marine environment. Spring and autumn programme dates are filling up quickly, so we recommend securing your preferred date as early as possible.
How to get in touch
    • E-mail: submit your enquiry via our e-mail morigenos@morigenos.org;
    • Phone: call us at +386 590 140 67 — we will be happy to assist you in planning your educational visit
We look forward to welcoming you at sea.
19-03-2026

Analyzing Seawater for New Insights into Marine Predators: Morigenos Society Successful in ARIS Call

Analyzing Seawater for New Insights into Marine Predators: Morigenos Society Successful in ARIS Call

Morigenos has secured a new research project under the public call of the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS), titled “eDiNA: Environmental DNA for Individual and Population Level Monitoring of a Marine Top Predator.”
About the Project
The aim of the project is to investigate the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for non-invasive genetic sampling of marine predators, particularly whales and dolphins. Traditional methods of acquiring genetic data at sea are challenging, as they are either invasive or limited to samples from deceased individuals. Instead, the project proposes the analysis of seawater samples containing animal DNA, representing a less intrusive method for studying these elusive species.
Objectives and expected outcomes
The research will focus on developing methods for isolating sufficient quantities and quality of DNA from individual organisms directly from seawater samples. Through this project we aim to:
    • improve the capacity for representative sampling of marine predators in the wild;
    • collect data essential for their management and conservation;
    • gain a better understanding of how global climate change affects these species.
The expected results will provide new insights into the genetic composition, population structure, connectivity, and demography of marine apex predators.
Research team
The project is led by the president of Morigenos, Dr Tilen Genov, and is carried out in collaboration with the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. The research team therefore brings together experts in molecular genetics, ecology, and conservation biology.
New knowledge for more effective marine conservation
The eDiNA project will enable the development of advanced methods to obtain key information about marine predators without disturbing the animals. Such knowledge is essential for their long-term conservation and for improving our understanding of the impacts of changes in the marine environment on these species.
13-03-2026

SAMESEA project partners meet at the fourth meeting in Podgorica

SAMESEA project partners meet at the fourth meeting in Podgorica

Partners of the SAMESEA project met once again on February 25th, this time in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. The project, which is now entering its final year, brings together 11 partners from the adriatic-ionian region with the aim of addressing key challenges in marine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem monitoring in a coordinated manner.
At the meeting, Morigenos presented preliminary results of the Pilot Action in Piran bay, during which we collected reports on the presence of dolphins and sea turtles in the bay, monitored the presence of the two species and investigated potential interactions of dolphins with a fish farm. We reviewed deliverables and outputs created so far in the project and planned our next activities. In the upcoming months we will focus on improving the standardised methods for collecting and reporting data on sentinel species in the adriatic-ionian region and expanding the SAMESEA Network.
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IPA ADRION programme.
Project website: https://samesea.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/
13-03-2026

An Important Recognition for Slovenian Science: President of Morigenos Among the Editors of a World-Leading Journal

An Important Recognition for Slovenian Science: President of Morigenos Among the Editors of a World-Leading Journal

Morigenos – the Slovenian Marine Mammal Society proudly announces that its president, Dr. Tilen Genov, was invited to serve as an Associate Editor of the prestigious international scientific journal Marine Mammal Science in December 2025.
The journal Marine Mammal Science, published since 1985, is widely regarded as the central and most influential scientific journal in the field of marine mammal research. It features the most significant scientific findings on the biology, ecology, behavior, conservation, and management of marine mammal populations worldwide, and serving as one of the key platforms for shaping the direction of the field.
What does the role of Associate Editor entail?
An Associate Editor helps safeguard the integrity and scientific excellence of the journal and is responsible for the comprehensive editorial management of individual scientific manuscripts. Their responsibilities include evaluating the scientific quality of submissions, selecting appropriate expert reviewers, overseeing and coordinating the peer-review process, and providing recommendations regarding publication. This is an exceptionally responsible professional role that requires in-depth expertise, extensive research experience, and a high and a high degree of trust within the international scientific community.
“I accept the role of Associate Editor with a great sense of responsibility and honor. Marine Mammal Science holds a special reputation within our field, and this invitation represents above all a sign of trust and an opportunity to actively contribute to maintaining high scientific standards,” said Dr. Tilen Genov upon his appointment.”
The significance of the appointment for the Slovenian research community
This appointment represents an important international recognition both for Dr. Genov and for the Morigenos Society, as well as for the broader research community in Slovenia. For a country with a relatively short coastline, such a role further strengthens the international integration of Slovenian science in the field of marine mammal research.
This achievement confirms that the research work of Morigenos extends beyond national boundaries and actively contributes to the advancement of marine mammal science on a global level.
 Sincere congratulations!