RISULTATI PRELIMINARI SULLA DISTRIBUZIONE E ABBONDANZA DEL TURSIOPE, TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS (MONTAGU 1821), NELL’ARCIPELAGO TOSCANO SFRUTTANDO PIATTAFORME DI OPPORTUNITA’

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN, TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS (MONTAGU 1821), IN THE TUSCAN ARCHIPELAGO USING PLATFORMS OF OPPORTUNITY

Abstract

The Pelagos Sanctuary (Agreement 391/2001) is the largest marine protected area in the Mediterranean, established for the conservation of marine mammals. However, monitoring within the Sanctuary remains uneven, and some sectors, particularly the southern area, are still poorly studied. This knowledge gap limits the assessment of key ecological indicators required by the EU Habitats Directive, such as species distribution and abundance, thus weakening conservation effectiveness. To fill this gap, a systematic monitoring program focusing on the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), has started in July 2024 in the southern portion of the Sanctuary, within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. The project applies the Fixed Line Transect method, using Moby Lines and Toremar ferries as observation platforms. Preliminary results reveal a regular presence of bottlenose dolphins, with higher sightings along the Piombino–Portoferraio route, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring to support effective management and conservation strategies.