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24-02-2025

A New Initiative for Our Sea: The “United for the Sea” Consortium

A New Initiative for Our Sea: The “United for the Sea” Consortium

On Friday, February 7, 2025, we officially launched the United for the Sea project with a kick-off meeting at the Dolphin Center in Piran. Together with our partners, we have joined forces to protect our sea and its rich ecosystem. The consortium is led by Morigenos and includes three institutes – YouSea, NOMED and IZRIIS. Our shared goal is to create a strong network that will give our sea a voice.
Why is this project important?
With this project, we want to strengthen the sustainable work of organizations dedicated to marine conservation, increase public engagement – particularly among young people – and improve collaboration between scientific institutions and the wider community.
Within the project, we will:
  • strengthen collaboration between non-governmental organizations and establish an effective consortium for the long-term protection of the marine environment.
  • implement educational programs for young people and adults, interactive workshops, and awareness campaigns on the importance of marine conservation.
  • develop digital solutions that will enable public participation in marine protection efforts and facilitate knowledge transfer through citizen science methods.
The consortium’s goal is to strengthen and optimize the functioning of our organizations, making them even more effective. Cooperation, knowledge exchange, and digitalization will contribute to greater visibility and impact of our work. Together, we can achieve more!

The activities are co-financed by the Ministry of Public Administration under the 2024 public call for the development and professionalization of NGOs and volunteering.

19-02-2025

SAMESEA: Transnational Collaboration for Marine Conservation

SAMESEA: Transnational Collaboration for Marine Conservation

We are excited to announce that Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society participates as a partner in the project SAMESEA: SustainAble Management of marinE Sentinel spEcies and human Activities interaction, part of the Interreg VI-B Interreg IPA Adriatic Ionian Programme (IPA ADRION), worth EUR 1,763,955.50. Launched on September 1st, this project will run for 30 months, bringing together 11 partners from the Adriatic-Ionian region to address urgent challenges in marine biodiversity conservation and marine ecosystem monitoring.
The SAMESEA project aims to standardize and harmonize marine ecosystem monitoring throughout the EUSAIR (EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region) basin. By promoting dialogue and collaboration between socio-economic stakeholders and authorities responsible for marine conservation, the project seeks to tackle the challenges posed by human pressures on marine biodiversity. A key project focus will be the monitoring of sentinel species such as the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). The development of a Transnational monitoring strategy will help guide sustainable practices and reduce human impact on these vulnerable species. Furthermore, a SAMESEA Network will be established to strengthen collaboration among national and regional entities, supported by a regional task force dedicated to the conservation of sentinel species. Morigenos plays a vital role in the data collection for this project and actively participates in its pilot testing, by developing monitoring protocols and management strategies to support the conservation of sentinel species. Additionally, Morigenos is engaged in capacity building, collaborates closely with stakeholders, and is responsible for communication efforts.
In addition to Morigenos, the SAMESEA project brings together a consortium of esteemed institutions and organizations from various countries, including the National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences (Italy), the Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science – University of Padova (Italy), the University of Bari (Italy), the Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation (Croatia), the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – University of Zagreb (Croatia), Aleksander Moisiu University, Durres (Albania), the Centre for Economic, Technological and Environmental Development (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Montenegro Dolphin Research (Montenegro), the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (Albania), the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (Greece), Neum Municipality (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and the Veneto Regional Park of Po Delta (Italy). The project also includes 20 associated partners, including the Municipality of Piran.
           In September, we participated in the kickoff meeting in Venice.
SAMESEA represents a significant step toward sustainable marine management across the Adriatic-Ionian region. By working together at a transnational level, we will ensure the protection of marine biodiversity while promoting socio-economic growth and co-existence.
Stay tuned for updates on SAMESEA’s progress and upcoming initiatives!
SAMESEA project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg IPA ADRION programme.
Project website: https://samesea.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/
11-02-2025

Prešeren Day and the Dolphin Prešeren: A Connection Between Culture and Nature

Prešeren Day and the Dolphin Prešeren: A Connection Between Culture and Nature

Last weekend, we celebrated Prešeren Day, the Slovenian cultural holiday dedicated to the memory of France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet. This day is devoted to culture, art, and creativity, but at Morigenos, it also reminds us of something special – the dolphin Prešeren.
The dolphin Prešeren got his name because we first spotted him exactly on Prešeren Day in 2020, off the coast of Piran. Later, we discovered that Prešeren is an extraordinary traveler. To reach our waters, he had to swim at least 1,251 km, as he was previously recorded near the Aeolian Islands close to Sicily. He then swam another 2,053 km to the Ligurian Sea, marking the longest documented journey of any bottlenose dolphin in the Mediterranean Sea.
In Slovenian culture, Prešeren symbolizes the freedom of spirit, creativity, and connection – while the dolphin Prešeren, in a way, represents exploration, perseverance, and the unity of the marine world.
You can read more about this remarkable dolphin in our article here.
11-02-2025

International Day of Women in Science and Technology

International Day of Women in Science and Technology

On the 11th of February we celebrate the contributions of women in science and technology. From the very first members of Morigenos to our dedicated students, interns, employees, and collaborators, the work in our organization has been largely shaped by the hard work, commitment, and dedication of many incredible women. 
We want to thank you all for the amazing work you do and we hope it inspires the next generation of marine conservation scientists.
05-02-2025

First dolphin encounter in Piran Bay this year!

Our first dolphin encounter in Piran Bay this year

On February 4th, just off Piran, we encountered several familiar fins that Morigenos has been monitoring for many years. Among them were Galatea, Olaf, Natali, Neptun, Unagi, Saša, and many others. We have known some of these dolphins for nearly 22 years. We were especially happy to see that our / your “rescuee” Srečko (Lucky) was in the group. If you don’t know his story yet, you can check it out here.
We were also particularly excited to capture young dolphins on camera. This is encouraging, as some calves do not survive their first year. As some of our loyal followers may recall, last summer we reported on a “baby boom,” but at the time, we were uncertain about its outcome. While we know that some calves did not make it through their first year, we are happy that many did.
Thank you for following our journey! If you’d like to support our efforts in protecting these incredible creatures, you can make a donation here or adopt a dolphin here.
16-01-2025

President of Morigenos Nominated for Delo’s Person of the Year 2024

President of Morigenos Nominated for Delo’s Person of the Year 2024

We were very proud to follow the announcement of Delo newspaper’s Person of the Year 2024, held on 9 January 2025 in Ljubljana. One of the nominees for this prestigious recognition was our president, Dr. Tilen Genov, which is an exceptional testament to his dedication and long-standing contributions to the research and conservation of marine mammals.
We first shared the news of this nomination on our social media platforms, celebrating this remarkable achievement with our community. Dr. Genov, who also serves as the Chair of the European Cetacean Society, has significantly advanced our understanding of dolphins in Slovenia and the Gulf of Trieste. Through his work with Morigenos, he has not only contributed to their protection but also raised broader awareness of the importance of marine ecosystems.
This nomination is not just a recognition of Dr. Genov’s work; it is also a reflection of the collective efforts of all who support our mission and collaborate toward a brighter future for marine mammals and the marine environment. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and proud that our work is being acknowledged by a wider audience. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees, and especially to the award recipient, Prof. Dr. Samo Zver.
Thank you to everyone who supported our candidate during this special occasion and joined us in celebrating this achievement!

Few moments from the Award Ceremony:

03-12-2024

Common dolphin spotted in Izola and Koper

Common dolphin spotted in Izola and Koper

Over the past few days, we have received several calls reporting sightings of a single dolphin in Izola and Koper, reported to be exhibiting unusual behaviours. From the photographs and video, we were able to determine that the animal is a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). We were also able to individually identify the dolphin and determine that this is the same individual that the Morigenos team observed in Koper back in 2022. The same individual was observed two weeks ago in the Miramare protected area and in Grignano, reported to us by our friends from Shoreline. The same animal has also been repeatedly observed around the islands of Rab and Krk during the past year, which we could determine based on photographs sent to us by our various followers. Thanks to additional reports we received today, our team was able to locate the dolphin to further assess its condition. Based on video footage received and our own observations in the field, The dolphin is not injured or debilitated. However, its somewhat unusual behavior is likely due to being solitary, as this is a species that normally lives in large groups.
Common dolphins in this area are a relatively rare occurrence. Previously abundant in the Adriatic, the common dolphin has almost disappeared due to targeted killing campaigns that lasted until the 1960s.
What to do?
Please, DO NOT INTERACT with the dolphin. Interacting with solitary dolphins only worsens their behavior and puts them at more risk. It can also put you at risk. Although dolphins generally do not attack humans, this is a wild animal already exhibiting atypical behaviors and could potentially hurt a person, or transmit infectious diseases. Do not feed the animal and do not enter the water.
If you see this dolphin, please CONTACT US by phone on +386 31 77 10 77. We are monitoring its movement and behavior. Photos or videos of the dolphin are especially useful – please send them to pr@morigenos.org.
To learn more about the common dolphin in the northern Adriatic, see our open-access publication:
Genov T., Kotnjek P., Centrih T. 2021. Occurrence of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Gulf of Trieste and the northern Adriatic Sea. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 31 (Special Issue: Conservation and Research Status of Mediterranean Delphinus delphis): 69–75. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aqc.3407
You can also learn more about the decline of the common dolphin in the Adriatic in our latest collaboration with our friends from Dolphin Biology and Conservation: Bearzi G, Bonizzoni S, Genov T, Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 2024. Whales and dolphins of the Adriatic Sea: present knowledge, threats and conservation. Acta Adriatica 65:75-121. https://acta.izor.hr/acta/pdf/65_1_pdf/65_1_1.pdf
11-10-2024

Marine eDNA sampling begins for the Interreg SeaInsights project!

Marine eDNA sampling begins for the Interreg SeaInsights project!

Our boat has become a small lab as we began our marine environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling for our Interreg project, SeaInsights. The goal of this project is to improve biodiversity monitoring using the latest technology in marine eDNA collection and analysis.
Our partners at DivjaLabs have creatively adapted the existing technology to fit our project goals and our boat. Together with our Italian partners at Dolphin Biology and Conservation and Shoreline, we are sampling the North Adriatic Sea, making this a coordinated international effort. We’ll keep you posted about our progress!

Projekt SeaInsights sofinancira Evropska unija v okviru Programa Interreg VI-A Italija-Slovenija / Il progetto SeaInsights è co-finanziato dall’Unione Europea nell’ambito del Programma Interreg VI-A Italia-Slovenia / The SeaInsights project is financed by the European Union as part of the Program VI-A Italy-Slovenia.

https://www.ita-slo.eu/en/seainsights

30-09-2024

Morigenos helps study the enigmatic whales of Pitcairn

MORIGENOS HELPS STUDY THE ENIGMATIC WHALES OF PITCAIRN

A science expedition involving Morigenos has just finished in the South Pacific. Morigenos is proud to be a partner in the project “Humpback Whales of the Pitcairn islands”, led by King’s College London and supported by the Darwin Plus grant. A team composed of Professor Terry Dawson from King’s College London, PhD student Katherine McCoy and Dr Tilen Genov from Morigenos travelled to Pitcairn island in 2023 and 2024 to study the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in one of the most remote places on Earth.
The Pitcairn humpback whales are quite enigmatic. According to local knowledge, whales only started showing up around Pitcairn in 1990s, and recent work by King’s College London showed that they use these waters as a breeding ground. However, it remains unclear how many whales are using this area, and which population these whales belong to. These are some of the questions that the research team is trying to find out, using a combination of photo-identification, bioacoustics and tissue sampling.
Photo-identification allows us to identify individual whales based on natural markings on their dorsal fins and tail flukes. This can help us determine how many whales are using the Pitcairn waters, how often they return and where else they may roam. By comparing photographs collected around Pitcairn with identification catalogues from other places, such as French Polynesia or Antarctica, we can determine where these whales travel to. By recording and analysing whale song in the area, we can compare these song patterns to those from other whale populations. Finally, by collecting skin samples from whales, we can study their relatedness and population structure using genetics, which can help us determine the population identity of these animals. In addition, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) can help researchers to gain deeper insights into the behaviour and body condition of these animals. This multidisciplinary approach will hopefully shed some light onto the biology, ecology and conservation status of these enigmatic whales.
Despite very challenging weather conditions during both expeditions, the team recorded several whale sightings, obtained photographs for individual identification, recorded whale vocalisations, obtained aerial footage and even obtained samples for genetic analyses. These data will help provide further insights into the lives and conservation of these mysterious giants.
26-08-2024

Dead dolphin found off Strunjan was shot

An autopsy on a dead dolphin found by Morigenos researchers in late June off Strunjan revealed that the dolphin died as a result of a gunshot wound.

In late June, the Morigenos research team found a dead dolphin off Strunjan. It was a male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), a species regularly present in the northern Adriatic Sea and in the Gulf of Trieste. Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society has been studying and monitoring the dolphin population in the Gulf of Trieste and surrounding waters for the past 22 years.

Morigenos researchers carried out the first external inspection of the animal in the field. The carcass was already quite decomposed, so it was not possible to determine whether it was one of the dolphins already photo-identified by Morigenos in the northern Adriatic.

As is already established practice, a thorough post-mortem examination was carried out the following day at the National Veterinary Institute of the Veterinary Faculty in Ljubljana, in collaboration between Morigenos and the National Veterinary Institute. At the time of the autopsy, various samples were taken for further diagnostic tests. After all the analyses were carried out, the autopsy results showed that the dolphin had been shot.

Despite the first external examination, which is always carried out in the field, it is the autopsy (typically referred to as necropsy in case of animals) that tells us the cause of death, when this is even possible. Although skin wounds were already visible on first examination of the body, it is difficult to initially assess whether the injuries are pre- or post-mortem in such decomposed animals, so we never jump to conclusions before the post-mortem examination has been completed.

The animal was shot in the left lateral chest area. After entering the body, the projectile penetrated the left chest wall, punctured both lung wings and exited the body through the right chest wall. Of the vital organs, the lungs were damaged by the projectile and it is therefore most likely that the animal died as a result of respiratory distress. It is not yet known what firearm was used to shoot the animal, but several fragments of the projectile were found at the site of the gunshot wounds and have been stored for ballistic examination.

This is the first recorded case of a shot dolphin being found in Slovenia in modern times. Our colleagues in Croatia have had several such cases, but this is the first of its kind for us. Dolphins are a strictly protected species in Slovenia and elsewhere in Europe, so this case is a criminal offence. The case has also been reported to the Police.

The decomposition of the carcass suggests that the animal had been dead for at least several days at the time of its discovery, so it remains unknown where the animal was actually shot. Given that the Gulf of Trieste is shared by Slovenia, Italy and Croatia, the crime could have been committed outside Slovenia.

Dolphins and other large marine predators are an important part of marine ecosystems, helping to maintain the balance of marine food webs. Their conservation therefore has wider implications for the long-term conservation of healthy seas, which is also important for people.

20-08-2024

Job opening – Scientist

Job Description
  • Work on the Interreg project
  • Scientific research in the fields of biology, ecology, and marine mammal conservation
  • Fieldwork and/or laboratory work, data analysis, maintenance of research equipment, record-keeping, and database management
  • Writing scientific articles and professional contributions, preparing materials, participating in work meetings, contributing to project preparation and applications
  • Participating in educational activities as needed
  • Performing other related tasks as directed by superiors
Requirements:
  • Master’s or PhD in biology, biochemistry, environmental protection, or related sciences
  • Good knowledge of English (working language is English)
  • Good knowledge of basic computer programs (MS Word, Excel, internet, etc.)
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Ability to work independently
  • Precision, responsibility, reliability
Preferred Qualifications (Not Mandatory):
  • Boat leader’s license
  • Diving certificate
  • Knowledge of advanced software tools for data processing (e.g., R, Python)
  • Knowledge of geographic information systems (e.g., QGIS)
  • Experience with unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”)
  • Previous experience in one or more of the following fields: marine biology, animal ecology, molecular biology, bioacoustics
  • Knowledge of Italian
The employment contract will be for a full-time position (40 hours per week, 100%) for a fixed term of 28 months, with a three-month probationary period, starting approximately on 1.10.2024. The workplace is in Piran, Slovenia.
Please send your CV and cover letter to morigenos@morigenos.org by August 31, 2024.