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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.
14-08-2024

University of Plymouth visits Morigenos in Piran

UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH VISITS MORIGENOS IN PIRAN

Between 5th and 9th August, Morigenos hosted a field course for a group of students and lecturers from the University of Plymouth, UK, to complement their university education. The students learned about various research methods, including land-based and boat-based surveys, photo-identification, behavioural sampling, and bioacoustics.
While doing that, they had multiple opportunities to observe dolphins in their natural habitat and collect data on their behaviour, movements and vocalisations. Guided by our science team, the program included lectures, fieldwork and data collection, and solving concrete problems in marine mammal science and conservation.
We are delighted to have collaborated with the University of Plymouth and provided the students with an in-depth insight into our research activities and thus helped train a new generation of marine and conservation biologists.
16-07-2024

17th Dolphin Day in Piran

17th Dolphin Day in Piran

For the 17th time, Morigenos – the Slovenian Marine Mammal Society – organizes Dolphin Day in Piran. This year, you can join us to learn about the fascinating world of dolphins, try out different research methods, and take part in fun yet educational activities.
The aim of the Dolphin Day event is to present the research and conservation efforts focused on dolphins in the Slovenian sea and to introduce the general public to dolphins and their lives.
We can’t wait to share this day with you!
The sponsor of the event is the Port of Koper. The patron of the event is the Municipality of Piran.
13-07-2024

It’s baby boom season!

It’s baby boom season!

We’re happy to announce that we have encountered several mothers with newborn calves in the last month!

Newborn calves are not only recognized by their small size but also by the vertical lines called “fetal lines,” which are marks left by the way the baby dolphin was folded inside the mother’s womb (fetal folds). These lines disappear after six months.

If you encounter a group of dolphins with a calf, remember to give these moms some peace and quiet to nurse their babies. Calves will nurse for 2 to 3 years and are very vulnerable if separated from their mothers.

Morigenos center o delfinih
27-05-2024

The dolphin centre among TOP 20 EU projects

THE DOLPHIN CENTRE AMONG TOP 20 EU PROJECTS

Nearly a year has passed since the opening of our Dolphin Centre, which has become an important hub for education, research, and public awareness about marine mammals and their environment. The centre has attracted numerous visitors, hosted lectures, workshops, and meetings, and has become the home of the Morigenos Academy. We are proud to announce that the Dolphin Centre project has been ranked among the TOP 20 EU projects in 2024 in Slovenia.

The Centre’s mission is to foster a deeper understanding of dolphins and their marine habitats among the public while underscoring the pivotal role of science in marine conservation. Our exhibition offers an immersive glimpse into the lives of dolphins and showcases the groundbreaking research conducted by Morigenos, enriched by interactive elements and a lifelike dolphin model. The Centre serves as a bridge between science and the wider public, providing access to scientific information in an understandable, informative, and enjoyable manner.

The Dolphin Centre project has significantly contributed to local and regional development by actively engaging with the community, educational institutions, scientific bodies, and individuals. Over 60 educational programs have been conducted, involving more than 5000 participants from vulnerable groups. This interaction has fostered the creation of innovative networks and partnerships for sustainable projects contributing to nature conservation.

In its first year of operation, the centre has become a key source of information about marine mammals and has increased awareness of the importance of protecting the marine environment. The project has positively impacted more than 11,000 individuals in the region. We eagerly anticipate the future challenges and opportunities for further work in the field of marine environmental protection, education, and public awareness.

For those who have not yet visited the Dolphin Centre or would like to take another peek into the world beneath the sea surface, we extend a warm invitation to join us for an open day on June 18, 2024, from 10 am to 4 pm in Piran.

Interreg partners
26-04-2024

SeaInsights: Improving the protection and management of the northern Adriatic by monitoring biodiversity through environmental DNA (eDNA) and public engagement

SEAINSIGHTS: IMPROVING THE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NORTHERN ADRIATIC BY MONITORING BIODIVERSITY THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DNA (eDNA) AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Last week, Morigenos hosted the kick-off meeting of the SeaInsights project (SeaInsights: Improving the protection and management of the northern Adriatic by monitoring biodiversity through environmental DNA (eDNA) and public engagement), which we developed in collaboration with Slovenian and Italian partners. The project, worth 798,000 € and running for two years, was selected for funding under the Interreg Italy-Slovenia call for proposals. The aim of the project is to enhance the capacity for conserving the delicate biodiversity of the Northern Adriatic, a region known for its rich and diverse ecosystem that faces threats from climate change, overexploitation, and pollution.

Sestanek v Centru o delfinih

The project involves several approaches, including the use of environmental DNA to monitor marine biodiversity; harmonisation and improvement of monitoring methods and databases for dolphins; development of new genetic markers; development and testing of innovative tools for collecting eDNA samples for individual identification of marine mammals; a study on the cultural ecosystem services provided by marine and coastal ecosystems; development of practical guidelines for transboundary protection and monitoring of marine mammals and marine biodiversity; and awareness raising and promotion of sustainable practices in line with local community values.

In addition to Morigenos, the project also involves the University of Ljubljana as lead partner, company DivjaLabs, the University of Padua, company Shoreline and the NGO Dolphin Biology and Conservation, as well as associate partners Public Institution Krajinski Park Strunjan, the Debeli Rtič Landscape Park, the Public Institution for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Development Projects of the Municipality of Izola, the Institute for Nature Conservation of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Morigenos is leading the work package “Development and testing of innovative tools for sampling and individual eDNA genotyping”, which will develop an innovative approach for the identification of marine mammals at individual level, using the dolphins of the Gulf of Trieste as a model species, to improve knowledge of the North Adriatic dolphin population and to contribute new approaches to the conservation of marine apex predators.

19-04-2024

New Chair of ECS

New Chair of ECS

Last week in Catania (Italy) took place the 35th conference of the European Cetacean Society (ECS). The society was established in 1987 and aims to promote and advance the scientific studies and conservation efforts of marine mammals and to gather and disseminate information about them to members of the Society and the public at large. The business of the ECS is coordinated by a Council of 11 members, voted by the membership.
 We are very proud to announce that our president, Dr. Tilen Genov, was elected in Catania as the new Chairperson (2024 – 2028) of the European Cetacean Society.
Sincere congratulations, Tilen!
13-02-2024

Dolphin Encounter on Carnival Day

Dolphin Encounter on Carnival Day

At Morigenos, we take research very seriously. But we also take Carnival seriously. Therefore, today we headed out to sea accordingly, because we also like to indulge in a bit of playfulness. But it wasn’t just us who were playful, we had the company of a joyful group of dolphins, including “our” Morigenos, which we haven’t seen for several months. Morigenos is one of the most frequently sighted dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste and one of the first dolphins identified in this area. We first encountered him in 2003 in Moon Bay near Strunjan, and we have been seeing him every year since then, for more than 20 years.
06-02-2024

Whales and dolphins of the Adriatic Sea: What do we know about them?

WHALES AND DOLPHINS OF THE ADRIATIC SEA: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEM?

Morigenos participated in a new review study on whales and dolphins of the Adriatic Sea, published last week. In this comprehensive study, scientists review and summarise the existing knowledge on Adriatic cetaceans and provide guidelines for their long-term conservation. The study was published in the scientific journal Acta Adriatica.
In this new review, scientists carried out a very comprehensive review of the existing literature on whales and dolphins in the Adriatic Sea, and synthesised the findings of different studies. They looked at all aspects of various species of cetaceans living in the region: their distribution, abundance, genetic structure, behaviour, threats, etc. Reviews represent a synthesis of the knowledge generated by the various individual studies.
The published review shows the multifaceted status of Adriatic cetaceans. On the one hand, the diversity of cetacean species in the Adriatic is greater than many people probably imagine: five species live here regularly, and two more occur occasionally. Whales and dolphins are predators at the top of the marine food web and therefore play an important role in marine ecosystems. Their presence in the Adriatic Sea is a good sign in this respect. On the other hand, the Adriatic Sea is one of the most human-impacted areas in the Mediterranean Sea, exposed to many stressors that have a negative impact on the state of marine ecosystems and directly threaten Adriatic cetaceans.
So, what whales and dolphins live in the Adriatic? The most abundant species is the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), which lives in the deep southern Adriatic (relatively rarely recorded in the Gulf of Trieste and Slovenia). The second most abundant species, which is also the most widespread throughout the Adriatic, is the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), which also lives in the Gulf of Trieste and Slovenian waters, and which has been studied by Morigenos researchers for more than 20 years. The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) used to be common in the Adriatic, but is now comparatively rare. In the southern Adriatic, the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) and the Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) are also present in smaller numbers. The latter is the world’s absolute diving record holder, as it can dive down to 3,000 m and stay underwater for more than three hours. The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), which occasionally visits the Gulf of Trieste, and the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) are also occasionally seen, while other species are extremely rare in the Adriatic Sea. This includes the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), which spent two months in Slovenian waters in 2009.
Despite this relative diversity, the status of cetaceans in the Adriatic is worse today than it was a few decades ago. Between the 19th and mid-20th century, thousands of dolphins were deliberately killed in the Adriatic, leading, among other things, to the near disappearance of the common dolphin. Today, Adriatic cetaceans face many threats, including the combined effects of habitat loss and degradation, prey depletion, incidental mortality in fishing gear, anthropogenic noise, marine litter, chemical pollution and climate change. The Adriatic is a particularly vulnerable ecosystem due to its semi-enclosed nature and relative shallowness, and it is also the most heavily trawled sea in the world.
The lead author Dr Giovanni Bearzi reports: “In the past, dolphins were regarded as pests and the practice of killing them was common and widespread, largely as an attempt to reduce conflict with fisheries. In the Adriatic Sea, dolphin extermination campaigns were promoted by the authorities responsible for fisheries management, and these killings were carried out for more than a century, until as recently as the 1960s.”
“Today we know that large predators such as whales, dolphins and sharks aren’t pests, but instead play a very important role in the marine ecosystems” said Dr Tilen Genov, president of Morigenos and lecturer at the University of Primorska. “The data are clear: if we want a healthy and plentiful sea, which we humans also depend on, we need healthy populations of large marine predators.”
The authors believe that this new review will serve as a useful reference for researchers in the region, students, decision-makers and all those interested in Adriatic cetaceans, and will also provide a useful baseline for future research.
The review paper is available here: https://acta.izor.hr/ojs/index.php/acta/article/view/1422.