The first database on dolphins in the Bay of Kotor has been established

The civil ecological initiative "Montenegro Dolphin Research" (MDR) successfully implemented a project dedicated to Montenegrin dolphins in the waters of the Bay of Kotor, with the support of the Secretariat for Activities of the Municipality of Tivat, through a public competition for the allocation of funds for projects of non-governmental organizations for 2025.

From that initiative emerged “Wave Watch Montenegro”, an innovative platform designed to connect the community and scientists to preserve the ecological value of local waters, promote long-term cooperation and sustainable development.

“The project established the first centralized database of dolphin sightings and marine mammal strandings in the region, laying the foundation for a coordinated network for monitoring indicator species (dolphins, sea turtles and Mediterranean monk seals). This database will play a key role in shaping future management strategies and identifying key habitats in and around the Bay of Kotor. In addition, the project encourages citizen science through improved access to the Wave Watch Montenegro platform,” MDR states.

According to them, by involving the tourism sector, local residents and visitors to Tivat, the initiative encourages joint participation in marine protection and promotes a model in which the sense of responsibility and belonging comes from the community itself.

Among other things, the MDR campaign, in a way accessible to the general public, pointed out the need for responsible behavior towards marine mammals and turtles in the waters of the Boka Bay and on the approaches to the bay, appealing for a reduction in the speed of small and fast speedboats, which are the main risk to the safety of these animals. It pointed out the need to reduce sea pollution by solid waste, but also by surface and underwater noise from vessels that interfere with marine mammals in using their natural system of ultrasonic echolocation and mutual communication, and promoted rules for responsible behavior of people near dolphins, sea turtles and possibly Mediterranean monk seals, which are an extremely rare and strictly protected species of marine mammals.