Ilustrado por Jessica Sánchez

1. Marine mammals and sea turtles
of the Mediterranean and Black Seas

2. MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEA BASINS
Main seas, straits and gulfs in the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins, together with locations mentioned in the text for the distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles
Ukraine Russia
SEA OF AZOV
Kerch Strait
Crimea
Romania Georgia
Slovenia
France Croatia BLACK SEA
Bosnia
& Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Monaco Bosphorus
LIGURIAN SEA Montenegro Strait
Gulf of Pelagos Sanctuary
Lion
Italy ADRIATIC SEA
Albania
Corsica Drini Bay
Spain Dardanelles Strait
Greece
BALEARIC SEA Turkey
Sardinia
Algerian- TYRRHENIAN SEA AEGEAN SEA
Balearic Islands Provençal
IONIAN SEA Syria
Basin
Strait of Sicily Cyprus
Strait of Sicily
Gibraltar
ALBORAN SEA Hellenic Trench Lebanon
Tunisia
Algeria Malta LEVANTINE SEA Israel
West
Morocco
Tuni
s ian P
MEDITERRANEAN SEA Bank
Gaza
Strip
latea Jordan
u/Gu
lf of
Sirte
Suez Canal
Egypt
Gulf of Sirte
Libya
RED
SEA

3. Marine mammals and
sea turtles of
the Mediterranean
and Black Seas
Compiled by
María del Mar Otero and Michela Conigliaro

4. The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression
of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its
authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not
necessarily reflect those of IUCN.
Published by Compiled by María del Mar Otero IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Spain
© IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Malaga, Spain Michela Conigliaro IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Spain
Copyright
© 2012 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources With the support of Catherine Numa IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Spain
Annabelle Cuttelod IUCN Species Programme, United Kingdom
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior
written permission from the copyright holder provided the sources are fully acknowledged. Reproduction of Illustrations Jessica Sánchez
this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the
copyright holder.
Regional Red List of Mediterranean Marine Mammals
Red List logo © 2008
Assessors for Giovanni Bearzi
Citation
Cetaceans Alex Aguilar
IUCN (2012). Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles of the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Gland, Ana Cañadas
Switzerland and Malaga, Spain: IUCN. 32 pages. Alexandros Frantzis
Stefania Gaspari
ISBN 978-2-8317-1478-3 Ada Natoli
Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara
Simone Panigada
Cover illustration Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus flukes by Jessica Sánchez
Randall R. Reeves
Caterina Maria Fortuna
Layout by Factor Ñ
Produced by IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation Contributors for Ana Tejedor Arceredillo
Cetaceans Celia Agusti
Printed by Solprint, Mijas (Malaga), Spain Sabina Airoldi
Renaud de Stephanis
Dan Engelhaupt
Available from
IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation IUCN (International Union for Conservation of
C/ Marie Curie 22. 29590 Campanillas, Nature) Publications Services Assessors for Lloyd Lowry
Malaga, Spain 28 Rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Pinnipeds Alex Aguilar
Tel: +34 952 028430 - Fax: +34 952 028145 Tel: +41 22 999 0000
www.iucn.org/mediterranean Fax: +41 22 999 0020
Email: books@iucn.org
www.iucn.org/publications
Printed on chlorine-free ecological paper
.2

5. Table of contents
Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................... 4 Pinnipeds.....................................................................................................................................20
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 5 Mediterranean Sea residents.....................................................................................................20
The Mediterranean and Black Seas............................................................................................... 5 Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus .....................................................................20
Marine mammals of the Mediterranean and Black Seas........................................................... 6 Sea turtles of the Mediterranean Sea........................................................................................21
Cetaceans ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Mediterranean Sea residents and visitors................................................................................22
Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta.............................................................................................22
Mediterranean Sea residents....................................................................................................... 7 Green Turtle Chelonia mydas ....................................................................................................23
Common Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus........................................................................ 7
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris.................................................................................. 8 Mediterranean Sea visitors........................................................................................................24
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus................................................................................................ 9 Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea................................................................................24
Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas............................................................................10
Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus .............................................................................................11 Conservation status of resident marine mammals of
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis .................................................................12 the Mediterranean and Black Seas............................................................................................25
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus ....................................................................................13
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba ......................................................................................14 The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ................................................................................26
Black Sea residents....................................................................................................................15 Regional Red List of resident marine mammals of
Black Sea Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus ponticus .....................................................15 the Mediterranean and Black Seas............................................................................................27
Black Sea Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis ponticus .........................................................15
Black Sea Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena relicta .........................................................15 Main threats................................................................................................................................28
Visitors and vagrants..................................................................................................................16 Conservation measures and international treaties,
Common Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata .................................................................16 conventions and agreements.....................................................................................................29
Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae..............................................................................16
False Killer Whale Pseudorca crassidens .................................................................................16 Conservation status and international agreements concerning marine mammals
Rough-toothed Dolphin Steno bredanensis ..............................................................................17 and sea turtles of the Mediterranean and Black Seas.............................................................30
Killer Whale Orcinus orca..........................................................................................................17
Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis...............................................................................................17 Some relevant references...........................................................................................................31
North Atlantic Right Whale Eubalaena glacialis.........................................................................18
Grey Whale Eschrichtius robustus.............................................................................................18
Dwarf Sperm Whale Kogia sima................................................................................................18
Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus.................................................................19
Blainville’s Beaked Whale Mesoplodon densirostris..................................................................19
Gervais’ Beaked Whale Mesoplodon europaeus.......................................................................19
3.

6. Acknowledgements
The Mediterranean cetacean assessment received extensive expert advice and assistance
from ACCOBAMS and the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group. All the assessments submitted
for inclusion in the IUCN Red List since 2000 have been peer-reviewed by the appointed
Red List Authorities. We thank the following experts for their valuable help in reviewing
the assessments: William F. Perrin, Barbara L. Taylor, Randall Reeves, Giuseppe Notarbar-
tolo di Sciara, Robert L. Brownell and Brian D. Smith.
We would also like to thank the following experts who additionally contributed to the
regional assessments of the Mediterranean cetacean species included in this booklet:
Alexei Birkun Jr., Greg Donovan, Caterina Maria Fortuna, Philip Hammond and Renaud
de Stephanis.
William F. Perrin and Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara (IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group),
Kit Kovacs and Alexandros A. Karamanlidis (IUCN Pinniped Specialist Group) and Nico-
las Pilcher and Paolo Casale (IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group) also made valuable
comments.
We are particularly grateful to Dania Abdul Malak for her preliminary work which made it
possible to produce this booklet and to Craig Hilton-Taylor, Jean-Cristophe Vié and Lynne
Labanne for their useful comments on this publication. Additionally, our thanks go to
Chris Tribe and Violeta Barrios, who edited the document, Yichuan Shi and Olga Lucía
Hernández, who produced the maps.
This booklet has been produced by the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation in
collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and the IUCN Species
Programme.
Financial support for the Mediterranean cetacean assessment and this booklet was
provided by the MAVA Foundation and the Spanish Agency for International Develop-
ment Cooperation (AECID).
.4

7. Conservation Status and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles of the Mediterranean and Black Seas
Introduction
Introduction
IUCN—International Union for Conservation of Nature— (those recorded all year round and breeding in the region), continental slope and steep underwater geological struc-
is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental visitor species (scarcer but occurring regularly every year) tures such as submarine canyons, seamounts, mud volca-
network, with more than 1,200 governmental and non- and vagrant species (rare and unexpected ones that do not noes, cold seeps, and trenches more than 5,000 m deep.
governmental member organizations and almost 11,000 occur annually). This range of features supports high concentrations and a
volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. It provides great diversity of marine wildlife, including marine
world-leading expertise on species assessment and the The information presented in this document is compiled mammals and sea turtles that live in and migrate through
only globally accepted methodology for measuring the from the Mediterranean Red List assessment of resident the sea. It is divided into two main basins, the Western and
conservation status of the world’s species, through the cetacean species first produced by a group of cetacean the Eastern Mediterranean, connected by the Strait of
IUCN Red List Assessment of Threatened Species™ (IUCN experts in Monaco in March 2006 and later updated in Sicily. From west to east, the Alboran sea, Algerian-
Red List). Knowing the conservation status of species is a 2010. This work was carried out in collaboration with Provençal basin, Tyrrhenian sea, Adriatic sea, Tunisian
basic requirement for developing significant political ACCOBAMS—the Agreement on the Conservation of Plateau/Gulf of Sirte, Ionian sea, Aegean sea and Levan-
measures for biodiversity conservation. Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and tine sea constitute the Mediterranean (see map on inside
Contiguous Atlantic Area—and the IUCN Cetacean front cover). The Strait of Gibraltar, the gate to the Mediter-
The IUCN Red List assesses individual species according Specialist Group. As a result of this work, a Red List Cate- ranean, was not considered part of the Mediterranean for
to a set of criteria and classes them in different categories gory has been assigned to each cetacean species. this assessment.
according to their relative probability of risk of extinction
(IUCN, 2001). All species fall into one of nine categories: This booklet also summarizes the current global status of The Black Sea marine ecosystem structure is different in
Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endan- visitor and vagrant cetaceans in the Mediterranean and that it is more isolated, with connections only to the Sea of
gered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near the status of the endemic cetacean species in the Black Azov through the Kerch Strait and to the Mediterranean
Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient Sea, the conservation status of the only Mediterranean and the Sea of Marmara through the Bosphorus. The
(DD) and Not Evaluated (NE) (see page 26). seal species (from the most recent assessment in 2008; seabed is divided into the shelf, which holds the greatest
IUCN Pinniped Specialist Group), and the latest informa- abundance and diversity of species, and the continental
The Red List Assessment is conducted at both global and tion available on marine turtles, published in 2010 (Casale slope and deep sea depression, where unique hydrochem-
regional levels. Global status refers to the status of a partic- and Margaritoulis). Basic information is still lacking for ical conditions transform the seawater characteristics
ular species worldwide, and regional status describes a some species (e.g. Ziphius cavirostris) and the on-going below a depth of 150 m down to the deepest parts at
species’ likelihood of extinction in a particular region (i.e. data compilation will contribute to their future conserva- 2,200 m below the surface.
the Mediterranean Region or the Black Sea Region). Due tion assessment. Finally, a reference list is provided of the
to the different scale of analysis, the same species can be most important publications relating to this fauna and its Several factors determine the geographical distribution of
assigned to different categories, so that a species listed as conservation. marine mammals and sea turtles in both seas. Ocean
not threatened at global level could be listed as threatened currents, abundance of food, sea temperature, morpholo-
at regional level, and vice versa. gy of the coastline, seabed topography, as well as human
THE MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEAS activities, seem to interact and influence which areas are
This booklet presents information on the conservation preferred habitats for cetaceans, sea turtles and seals.
status of the marine mammals and sea turtles that inhabit The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed sea with diverse Certain habitats have a particular key value in the life
the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Each species has previ- oceanographic dynamics and water circulation patterns cycles of different species, in that they are used for breed-
ously been classified by IUCN at global level and here we (such as gyres, upwellings and fronts), which result in ing, as nursery grounds, for refuge, for overwintering or as
present the first results of the regional assessment for surges of biological productivity in different places and at good foraging grounds due to prey abundance.
those cetacean species resident in the Mediterranean Sea. different times. Its rich and unique biodiversity has led to
It also focuses on the main threats that affect their survival its recognition as one of the most important biodiversity
and growth and makes recommendations to better hotspots in the world. The seafloor drops from extensive
preserve them. It presents brief details on resident species seagrass beds, rocky shores and sandy beaches to the
5.

8. Conservation status and distribution of marine mammals
Cetaceans and Pinnipeds
Conservation status and distribution of marine mammals
Cetaceans Cetaceans are a group of marine mammals
that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.
resident populations in the Mediterranean Sea,
the three subspecies are endemic to the Black
location, enabling them to navigate, identify
prey and other cetaceans, and avoid predators.
There are approximately 87 living species Sea (i.e. not found anywhere else in the world)
divided into two major groups: the baleen and 12 are visitors and appear in these seas from Despite their popularity, little is known about
whales (Mysticeti) and the toothed whales time to time. Scientists also believe that some of many cetacean species. On the following pages
(Odontoceti). Baleen whales are among the the resident species may have evolved into we present the results of the assessment of the
largest animals on earth. They have baleen genetically distinct subpopulations. conservation status of the cetaceans resident
plates (sieve-like structures in the mouth) in the Mediterranean Sea as well as those from
instead of teeth, which they use to filter small Whales and dolphins are mammals in that they the Black Sea and their status at global level.
food items such as krill, herrings and crusta- breathe air, give birth to live young (not We also include a brief description of the main
ceans from the seawater, and two blowholes hatched from eggs), nurse their calves with distinguishing features of each species as well
(nostrils). In contrast, toothed whales have a milk, and are warm-blooded. They may segre- as the main threats to their survival to help
single blowhole and teeth that they use to gate into groups according to sex and age or explain their importance and uniqueness. To
catch larger animals such as squid and fish. live alone for most of the time. Some species accompany the Red List regional assessment,
migrate long distances to reach good feeding the geographical distribution of each of the
At present, 21 different cetacean species and grounds, to breed and nurse their calves or to resident cetacean species is mapped to show
three subspecies have been sighted in the Medi- overwinter in certain areas. They make a wide where it occurs most frequently.
terranean and Black Seas. Eight of these have array of sounds for communication and echo-
Pinnipeds Seals, sea lions and walruses form the group of
marine mammals known as Pinnipeds. All of
Arctic and Antarctic to the warm tropical
waters of the Equator. True seals are usually
accidental entanglement in fishing gear or
marine debris, as well as a reduction in suita-
them share certain physical characteristics: a found in areas where there is little human ble habitat as a result of human development.
hydrodynamic body shape that helps them to disturbance, hauling out on ice packs, beaches,
move in the water, a thick layer of fat, and fur bays and shoreline rocks where food (fish, Nineteen species and several subspecies of
covering their body. They have a pair of front squid, shellfish and crustaceans) is abundant. seals in this group are recognized worldwide.
flippers and a pair of rear flippers forming a Some seal species are very social and live in They include the monk seals, of which only two
tail-like structure, which helps them move on large groups while others, like the Mediterra- species remain: the Hawaiian Monk Seal,
land and swim in the sea. nean Monk Seal, have a more solitary lifestyle. Monachus schauinslandi and the Mediterra-
Mating takes place either on land or in the nean Monk Seal, Monachus monachus. The
Seals also have other features that make them water. Females normally give birth to a single Mediterranean Monk Seal is the only pinniped
well adapted to their particular lifestyle, such offspring, or pup, which feeds on its mother’s species inhabiting the Mediterranean region.
as whiskers on their faces and very sensitive milk for the first month of life. Pup survival is This booklet presents some facts about the
ears that help them to locate prey and recog- therefore strictly dependent on female survival species and its conservation status according
nize their offspring. True seals (also called and is generally quite low. In many cases under to the last review conducted by the IUCN
earless seals) are the most diverse and wide- 50% of the pups survive their first two months. Pinniped Specialist Group.
spread of all the pinniped species and the most Seals also face a variety of threats throughout
highly adapted to aquatic life. They can be their lives, including food shortages, shark
found worldwide from the cold waters of the predation, deliberate killing by humans and
.6

9. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus BLACK SEA
(Montagu, 1821)
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS ARE FOUND ALONG MANY PARTS OF
THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST (SEE HATCHED AREA ON MAP), WHERE
THEY ARE THREATENED BY COMPETITION WITH COMMERCIAL FISHERIES,
BY-CATCH IN DRIFTNETS AND WATER POLLUTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphins are probably the most familiar of the based on reliable estimates in areas that have been Tursiops truncatus
small cetaceans in the Mediterranean. These dolphins surveyed by experts. An overall decline in the population
usually live in small groups of 2–15 individuals, although seems likely, however, as in those regions where regular
larger groups have been reported on occasion, especially monitoring takes place there has been a steady decrease in TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length 2–3.8 m
offshore. They occur in marine and estuarine waters numbers in the areas where they are observed as well as
Class: Mammalia
including inland deltas, subtidal aquatic beds, and reductions in their range and abundance (possibly by
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
brackish and saline lagoons. The range of habitats used by more than 30% since 1940).
Cetacea (unranked)
Bottlenose Dolphins includes inshore, coastal and Bottlenose Dolphins in coastal waters are
Odontoceti (unranked)
offshore waters as far as the continental slope throughout In the Adriatic Sea, for example, the population of frequently seen following trawlers, around
Family: Delphinidae
the Mediterranean Sea. Common Bottlenose Dolphin is considered to have fish farm cages or taking fish from gillnets.
Genus: Tursiops
declined by at least 50% over the last 50 years as a conse-
Species: truncatus
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION quence of past killing by the fishing industry and reduced
AND MAIN THREATS food availability caused by overfishing and environmental
There is no overall estimate of the Mediterranean popula- degradation. Other major threats that currently put the
tion. Little information exists on the distribution and survival of the species at risk are entanglement in fishing
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
abundance of Common Bottlenose Dolphin in the eastern gear and the accumulation of toxins in their bodies from
and southern parts of the Mediterranean basin. The total chemical pollution. Risso’s Dolphin [p. 11] • Forehead distinctly separated from the
Mediterranean population may be in the low 10,000s, snout by a crease
• Dorsal fin less sickle-shaped
• Absence of scratch marks on the body
• Darker dorsal colour
IUCN RED LIST
Mediterranean status: Vulnerable
Global status: Least Concern
7.

10. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Ziphius cavirostris Genoa Canyons BLACK SEA
G. Cuvier, 1823
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
THESE RARELY SEEN WHALES OF DEEP, OPEN WATERS ARE SIGHTED
MOST OFTEN IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN (SEE
HATCHED AREA ON MAP). THIS SPECIES IS CRITICALLY AFFECTED BY
HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE SEA, SUCH AS LITTER (WHICH IT SWALLOWS),
UNDERWATER MINERAL PROSPECTING AND MILITARY SONAR
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale is a predominantly oceanic species those sites where they have been found regularly. The Ziphius cavirostris
that moves in groups of at least 2–3 individuals. It prefers Genoa canyons in the western Ligurian Sea, for example,
offshore areas containing submarine canyons, seamounts seem to attract the whales because of the high productivity
and escarpments, where it can feed on its preferred diet of of deep-sea squid in the area. TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length less than 7 m
deep-sea squid and some fish. This species is character-
Class: Mammalia
ized by its stout body and small sloping head with a short Cuvier´s Beaked Whales are very vulnerable to underwater
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
beak and curved mouth giving this whale its characteristic noise produced by military and seismic exploration sonar,
Cetacea (unranked)
S-shaped grin. Adults’ bodies are generally covered with which affects the whales’ communication and orientation. Adult male Cuvier’s Beaked Whales have a
Odontoceti (unranked)
scratches, probably due to aggression during the mating Mortalities also occur from ingestion of plastic debris and pair of teeth at the tip of the lower jaw. They
Family: Ziphiidae
season. occasional by-catch in fishing driftnets. are thought to be used during contests over
Genus: Ziphius
females during the mating season. The
Species: cavirostris
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION males’ bodies are covered with scratches.
AND MAIN THREATS
Although relatively common in some areas, little is known
about this species and much of our current information is
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
from strandings (animals found on the shore). The main
areas of particular concern—the eastern Ligurian Sea, the Blainville’s Beaked Whale [p. 19] • Stouter body
eastern Alboran Sea and the Hellenic Trench—relate to • Shorter beak
• Blunter head
Gervais’ Beaked Whale [p. 19] • Lighter body colour
• Males with pale areas on the belly and
IUCN RED LIST head
Mediterranean status: Data Deficient
Global status: Least Concern
.8

11. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Fin Whale
Balaenoptera physalus Corso-Ligurian Basin BLACK SEA
(Linnaeus, 1758)
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
FOUND MOST COMMONLY IN OFFSHORE DEEP WATERS IN THE WESTERN
AND CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN (SEE HATCHED AREA ON MAP). THE
BIGGEST THREATS TO FIN WHALES ARE BY-CATCH IN FISHING NETS,
DISTURBANCE BY RECREATIONAL VESSELS AND NOISE FROM SHIPPING
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Fin Whale
The Fin Whale is the most common large whale species Gulf of Lion. Its current population in the Mediterranean is Balaenoptera physalus
in the Mediterranean Sea and the second largest animal believed to be close to 5,000 adults. The Pelagos Sanctuary,
on earth (after the Blue Whale), with adults reaching the largest marine protected area for Mediterranean
lengths of up to 25 m and weights of up to 85 t. In spite of marine mammals, situated between Italy, France and the TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length 13–19 m
their size, they are fast-moving animals, swimming at island of Sardinia, has witnessed a dramatic decline in Fin
Class: Mammalia
speeds of up to 50 km per hour. Fin Whales usually live in Whales, from 900 individuals reported in 1992 to only 147
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
small groups, but occasionally form schools of hundreds in 2009. They are also known to congregate in late Febru-
Cetacea (unranked)
of individuals, especially in productive areas on the high ary and early March in the coastal waters off the island of The throat of Fin Whales can expand enor-
Mysticeti (unranked)
seas, where they feed mainly on small shrimp-like crea- Lampedusa (Italy), in the Strait of Sicily, to feed mostly on mously during feeding to engulf a huge
Family: Balaenopteridae
tures called krill and schooling fish. Their distribution in the krill species Nyctiphanes couchii, a small crustacean. mouthful of water and filter out food
Genus: Balaenoptera
the western and central Mediterranean Sea is believed to Fin Whales may fall victim to ship strikes, particularly from consisting of tiny crustaceans and fishes.
Species: physalus
be related to water depth and circulation patterns, high-speed ferries. Further threats include high levels of
affecting the presence of their prey. DDT (an organochlorine insecticide) in their tissues,
which can affect their reproduction and immune system,
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION possibly unregulated whale watching, and acoustic distur-
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
AND MAIN THREATS bance from seismic surveys.
The species occurs mostly in deep offshore waters from Sei Whale [p. 17] • Characteristic light grey V-shaped patch
north-east of the Balearic Islands to the Ionian Sea. It is behind the head
particularly abundant in the Corso-Ligurian Basin and • Left side of lower jaw is dark and right
side is white
IUCN RED LIST
Mediterranean status: Vulnerable
Global status: Endangered
9.

12. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Long-finned Pilot Whale
Globicephala melas BLACK SEA
(Traill, 1809)
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
COMMON IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (SEE HATCHED AREA
ON MAP), ESPECIALLY IN THE ALBORAN SEA. PILOT WHALES ARE
THREATENED BY MARITIME TRAFFIC DISTURBANCE, FISHING ACTIVITIES,
POLLUTION AND HIGH-INTENSITY UNDERWATER NOISE FROM NAVAL
SONAR AND SEISMIC EXPLORATION
Long-finned Pilot Whale
Globicephala melas
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Long-finned Pilot Whales are among the largest members hundred to a few thousand individuals. However, the
of the dolphin family, and are commonly seen in tight, only available estimate of abundance is for a potentially TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length 5–7 m
sociable groups of 9–23 individuals exhibiting similar resident group of 260–270 individuals in the Strait of
Class: Mammalia
social behaviour to Killer Whales. Their globose head, Gibraltar (1999–2005).
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
long flippers and white anchor-shaped patch on the
Cetacea (unranked)
chest make them easily identifiable. They feed offshore The main threats to Long-finned Pilot Whales include These dolphins have strong family bonds:
Odontoceti (unranked)
on deep-sea squid, other cephalopods and small pelagic mortality as a result of by-catch in commercial fisheries, when an animal dies or falls ill, the rest of the
Family: Delphinidae
fish using echolocation tactics to help them find food. collisions with ships, man-made noises such as sonar group tends to follow it. That is why mass
Genus: Globicephala
that interfere with their central nervous system causing strandings on the shore are so common for
Species: melas
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION neurological disorders, harassment by people during this species.
AND MAIN THREATS whale watching, and the toxic effects of chemical pollution.
The known areas of special concern for this species are in
the western Mediterranean Sea, including the Strait of
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
Gibraltar. The subpopulation of Mediterranean Long-
finned Pilot Whales is especially common in the waters of False Killer Whale [p. 16] • Noticeably globose head
the Alboran Sea, where there are possibly several • Long pectoral fins
• White anchor-shaped patch on the chest
• Low, wide-based, sickle-shaped dorsal
fin
IUCN RED LIST
Mediterranean status: Data Deficient
Global status: Data Deficient
.10

13. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Risso’s Dolphin
Grampus griseus Corso-Ligurian Basin BLACK SEA
(G. Cuvier, 1812)
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
LITTLE KNOWN DOLPHIN, WIDELY DISTRIBUTED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
AND MOST OFTEN SIGHTED IN RICH PELAGIC WATERS (SEE HATCHED
AREA ON MAP). POPULATIONS ARE PROBABLY BEING AFFECTED BY
ENTANGLEMENT IN FISHING GEAR, POLLUTION AND UNDERWATER NOISE
Risso’s Dolphin
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Grampus griseus
Risso’s Dolphin is a widely distributed species found in Balearic Sea. No information is available for the southern
deep waters, in particular around seamounts and escarp- Mediterranean Sea. The latest scientific studies suggest
ments, where it is thought to feed on cephalopods such that the Risso´s Dolphins in the Mediterranean form a TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length 3–4 m
as squid. It usually moves in small groups of 2–45 animals, distinct population that differs from the Atlantic Risso´s
Class: Mammalia
or up to 100 individuals on occasion. Nonetheless, it can Dolphins. They appear to favour deep offshore waters, in
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
also be encountered singly or in large groups that can particular those over steep shelf slopes and submarine
Cetacea (unranked)
number from 200 to 1,000 individuals. The species is canyons. No specific data on large-scale population distri- The scratches and scars on a Risso’s
Odontoceti (unranked)
easily identifiable by its bulbous head and peculiar, deep, bution, abundance or trends over time are available as Dolphin’s body are inflicted by other
Family: Delphinidae
V-shaped crease extending from the blowhole to the tip these animals are not usually seen in groups near coasts. dolphins or the sharp beaks of squid while
Genus: Grampus
of the rostrum. Moreover, its body is marked with This makes them hard to study and further information is feeding.
Species: griseus
scratches and scars, which increase with age. needed to assess whether the species is declining.
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION Risso´s Dolphins are frequently found entangled in
AND MAIN THREATS fishing gear such as longlines and gillnets and they are
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
Risso´s Dolphin is widely distributed in the Mediterrane- also threatened by chemical pollutants and underwater
an Sea, although most frequently sighted in the western noise pollution such as that produced by boats and sonar False Killer Whale [p. 16] • Characteristic pale-coloured and exten-
basin, Ligurian-Corso-Provençal basin, northern Alboran equipment. sively white scarred body
Sea, southern Tyrrhenian Sea and occasionally the • Squared head without a beak
• White anchor-shaped patch on the chest
IUCN RED LIST
Mediterranean status: Data Deficient
Global status: Least Concern
11.

14. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Short-beaked Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis BLACK SEA
Linnaeus, 1758
Sicily Channel
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
A VERY COMMON DOLPHIN IN THE PAST, BUT TODAY IT IS COMMON
ONLY IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (SEE HATCHED AREA ON
MAP). REDUCTIONS IN PREY POPULATIONS, POLLUTION, BY-CATCH IN
FISHING GEAR AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE THE MAIN THREATS TO ITS
ENDANGERED POPULATIONS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Short-beaked Common Dolphin
The Short-beaked Common Dolphin is characterized by an Israel; whereas it has apparently vanished from many Delphinus delphis
hourglass pattern on the flanks, which makes it easy to areas of the Mediterranean including the Adriatic Sea,
distinguish. The species can be found both offshore, where Balearic Sea, Provençal basin and Ligurian Sea. As with
there are steep slopes (such as escarpments) and nutrients, many cetacean species, little is known about their presence TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length 2–2.2 m
and in coastal waters. They are rarely sighted near the in the waters along the North African coast.
Class: Mammalia
shore. Sometimes they are seen in mixed groups with other
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
dolphin species forming aggregations of 50–70 individuals. The decline in numbers of Common Dolphins in the
Cetacea (unranked)
Using echolocation and group hunting techniques, the Mediterranean could be a consequence of prey depletion Females have been seen to assist other
Odontoceti (unranked)
Common Dolphin primarily feeds on schooling fishes. by commercial fisheries, by-catch in gillnets (drift gill- dolphins during birth, as well as with daily
Family: Delphinidae
nets), habitat degradation, noise pollution, environmental infant care.
Genus: Delphinus
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION changes and high loads of pollutants, including PCBs
Species: delphis
AND MAIN THREATS and heavy metals, which accumulate in their tissues and
Once a very common species, the Mediterranean popula- are thought to cause immune suppression, reproductive
tion of Common Dolphins has declined by more than 50% impairment and ultimately death.
in the past 30–45 years. However, there is very limited
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
information on population size and trends for this species.
The species is today relatively abundant in the Alboran Striped Dolphin [p. 14] • The pale yellow and grey hourglass pat-
Sea, off western Sardinia, in the Sicily Channel around tern on the sides readily distinguishes the
Malta, in the eastern Ionian Sea, in the Aegean Sea, and off species from any other.
IUCN RED LIST
Mediterranean status: Endangered
Global status: Least Concern
.12

15. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus BLACK SEA
Linnaeus, 1758
Strait of Messina
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
THE MEDITERRANEAN POPULATION OF SPERM WHALES HAS DECLINED
OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS. ENTANGLEMENT IN FISHING GEAR, VESSEL
STRIKES AND DISTURBANCE BY INTENSE BOAT AND SHIP TRAFFIC ARE
THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF ITS ENDANGERED CONSERVATION STATUS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Sperm Whale
Sperm Whales are the largest toothed whales on earth, and estimate of population size, it is thought that the total Physeter macrocephalus
there are large differences in body size between males and number of Sperm Whales in the Mediterranean basin
females (with females a third shorter and half as heavy as amounts to only a few hundred individuals. Nevertheless,
males). They occur mostly on continental slopes, where there is evidence thatSperm Whales were once common TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length (males) 16–18 m
they can dive very deep to feed, mostly on cephalopods. in some parts of the Mediterranean, such as in the Strait of
Class: Mammalia
They can descend to more than 1,000 m and stay Messina and the waters of the Aeolian Islands (coast of
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
submerged for over an hour, although on average their Sicily) at least until the 1950s, where they could be seen in
Cetacea (unranked)
dives are 20–50 minutes long at depths of 300–600 m. They large aggregations of as many as 30 individuals. Nowadays The Sperm Whale is truly an animal of
Odontoceti (unranked)
are highly migratory and the males, which generally have a such sightings are rare. Over the last decade increasingly extremes. It has the largest brain and the
Family: Physeteridae
solitary lifestyle, migrate to join the female groups during frequent reports of annual strandings (stranded, floating longest intestine of any animal on the
Genus: Physeter
the breeding season. The most distinctive feature of the dead or entangled Sperm Whales) from France and Italy planet.
Species: macrocephalus
species is the huge squared head. point to a considerable decline in the number of individu-
als in the region. Sperm Whales are mainly threatened by
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION entanglement in fishing gear (especially swordfish drift
AND MAIN THREATS gillnets and tuna driftnets), ship strikes and disturbance by
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
Sperm Whales are widely distributed in the Mediterrane- maritime traffic.
an Sea. The Mediterranean subpopulation, which is not Humpback Whale [p. 16] • Underside of flippers not white (as in the
well studied, seems to have some social behavioural habits Humpback Whale)
that differ in other seas. Even though there is no reliable • Broad, massive head
• Spatulate flippers
IUCN RED LIST
Mediterranean status: Endangered
Global status: Vulnerable
13.

16. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Mediterranean Sea residents
Striped Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba BLACK SEA
(Meyen, 1833)
MEDITERR
ANEAN SEA
THE MOST COMMON DOLPHIN IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA (SEE
HATCHED AREA ON MAP). HABITAT DEGRADATION CAUSED BY
AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES AND ANTIFOULING PAINTS, WATER
POLLUTION AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES POSE SIGNIFICANT THREATS
TO THIS SPECIES
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Striped Dolphin
Striped Dolphins are characterized by a pattern of blue- an Sea, was estimated at 117,880 individuals in 1991. The Stenella coeruleoalba
grey and white stripes and blazes along the lateral and high number of presumed fatalities in the following years,
dorsal sides of the body. The Striped Dolphin is an oceanic due to the factors outlined below, and the limited regional
species which often travels in large groups, preferring monitoring means there is no reliable, up-to-date infor- TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Average adult length 2–2.2 m
highly productive open waters beyond the continental mation on their actual abundance. In the past, many
shelf that are rich in food. It can also be found close to Striped Dolphins were hunted for their meat, which was
Class: Mammalia
shore where the waters are relatively deep. It feeds on a used as bait for shrimp traps and long lines. A disease
Order: Cetartiodactyla CURIOSITIES
wide variety of small fish, especially lanternfish, and squid, outbreak in 1990–1992, caused by a morbillivirus, devas-
Cetacea (unranked)
The species is highly active; it can do amazing
which it can catch by diving down to 200 m. tated a large proportion of the population, causing many
Odontoceti (unranked)
acrobatics and leap up to 7 m above the sea
deaths. The absorption of high concentrations of organo-
Family: Delphinidae
surface.
POPULATION STATUS, DISTRIBUTION chlorine pollutants derived from agricultural pesticides
Genus: Stenella
AND MAIN THREATS and the continuous use of pelagic drift nets may all be
Species: coeruleoalba
Striped Dolphins are the most abundant and one of the responsible for the decline of striped dolphin populations
best known cetaceans in the Mediterranean, in both the in the Mediterranean.
western and the eastern basins. The species is particularly
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH... BUT...
common in the Ligurian Sea, Gulf of Lion, the Alboran Sea
and the waters between the Balearic Islands and the Short-beaked Common Dolphin [p. 12] • Its unique colour pattern (dark grey back,
Iberian Peninsula. The Western Mediterranean subpopu- light grey flanks and pinkish white belly)
lation of Striped Dolphins, excluding that of the Tyrrheni- readily distinguishes the species from
any other.
IUCN RED LIST
Mediterranean status: Vulnerable
Global status: Least Concern
.14

17. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Black Sea residents
Black Sea Bottlenose Dolphin Black Sea Common Dolphin Black Sea Harbour Porpoise
Tursiops truncatus ponticus Delphinus delphis ponticus Phocoena phocoena relicta
Barabash-Nikiforov, 1940 Barabash-Nikiforov, 1935 Abel, 1905
The dolphins that live in the Black Sea are genetically and morpho- The Common Dolphin is found in all tropical and warm-temper- This subspecies of Harbour Porpoise inhabits mainly shallow
logically distinct from other Bottlenose Dolphin populations in ate waters, but scientific evidence suggests the Black Sea popula- waters over the continental shelf around the entire Black Sea coast,
the eastern and western Mediterranean and north-eastern Atlan- tion is a distinct subspecies. These dolphins do not look physically but sometimes it can also be found far offshore in deep waters.
tic; hence they are recognized as an endemic subspecies found different from the common dolphins in the Mediterranean. The Some individuals make annual migrations, leaving the Sea of Azov
nowhere else. The total population size is unknown but is likely to subspecies occurs almost throughout the Black Sea, except for the and north-western Black Sea before winter and returning in spring.
be less than 1,000. The species occurs throughout the Black Sea Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov. Bulgarian and Russian fishermen The primary wintering areas are in the south-eastern Black Sea,
area, including the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov and the Turkish used to catch large numbers of these dolphins in the Black Sea for where most of the Black Sea porpoise population congregates every
Straits. Different groups of Bottlenose Dolphin migrate and gather meat and oil. It is estimated that 440,000 Common Dolphins were year. These winter feeding grounds coincide with those of the
every autumn in the waters south of Crimea (Cape Fiolent–Cape slaughtered in 1958–66 and 365,000 in the preceding 12 years. The anchovy, an important prey species for harbour porpoises during
Sarych) and in other areas off the Russian, Georgian and Turkish fishery ended by the mid-1960s after Common Dolphins became the cold season. Until 1983, unregulated hunting was the primary
coasts. In the past, the population was subject to extensive so rare that it was no longer commercially viable to hunt them; the threat to the species and led to a dramatic reduction in numbers.
commercial slaughter. Commercial hunting of Black Sea ceta- population nearly collapsed and disappeared entirely. There has The decline continues, caused by entanglement in fishing gear
ceans was banned in 1966 and nowadays accidental mortality is been some recovery since, and although the present population (bottom-set gillnets), ship strikes, habitat degradation and deple-
mainly due to fishing gear like bottom-set gillnets, purse seines, size is unknown, it may consist of tens of thousands of individuals. tion of their food source. Moreover, four mass mortality events in
trammel nets and trap nets. Other causes, such as depleted stocks Current threats to these dolphins in the Black Sea are overfishing the past 20 years killed several thousand individuals. Survey results
of their prey species and exotic diseases due to increasing sewage of their main prey species (anchovies and sprats) and increasing suggest that the current population numbers at least several thou-
pollution, have been identified as the main threats to the survival water eutrophication, as well as disease. sand and possibly a few tens of thousands.
of this endangered subspecies.
TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION
Class: Mammalia Family: Delphinidae Class: Mammalia Family: Delphinidae Class: Mammalia Family: Phocoenidae
Order: Cetartiodactyla Genus: Tursiops Order: Cetartiodactyla Genus: Delphinus Order: Cetartiodactyla Genus: Phocoena
Cetacea (unranked) Species: truncatus ssp. ponticus Cetacea (unranked) Species: delphis ssp. ponticus Cetacea (unranked) Species: phocoena ssp. relicta
Odontoceti (unranked) Odontoceti (unranked) Odontoceti (unranked)
IUCN RED LIST IUCN RED LIST IUCN RED LIST
Global status: Endangered Global status: Vulnerable Global status: Endangered
15.

18. Marine Mammals · Cetaceans
Visitors & vagrants
Common Minke Whale Humpback Whale False Killer Whale
Balaenoptera acutorostrata Megaptera novaeangliae Pseudorca crassidens
Lacépède, 1804 (Borowski, 1781) (Owen, 1846)
The Common Minke Whale is the smallest member of the rorqual The Humpback Whale is a highly migratory species that under- The False Killer Whale is a typical inhabitant of open oceanic
family of whales. It is found in all oceans and in both coastal and takes long journeys between high-latitude summer feeding waters, although it can also be found over steep slopes and in
offshore waters, though it seems to prefer the more icy waters of grounds and tropical winter breeding grounds. The species tends continental shelf waters, especially at low latitudes. It is highly
polar regions. The species only occurs as a visitor in the Mediter- to live in small groups. Both feeding and breeding occur in shal- social and typically lives in pods (groups) of 10–20 individuals,
ranean Sea. North Atlantic individuals occasionally enter the low waters, while migration routes take these whales across deep often consisting of several females, their calves, one or more
Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar (less than one oceanic waters. It is not rare to see them breaching fully out of the males and/or juveniles. They feed primarily on cephalopods and
record per year on average) and are usually found over the conti- water. fish but are also known to attack other cetacean species for food.
nental shelf. Since only a few animals have been sighted, very little They are cooperative hunters and frequently share their prey.
is known about their behaviour compared to other whales in the Humpback Whales are rare visitors to the Mediterranean Sea (31 False Killer Whales are rare in the Mediterranean basin, where
region. They mostly feed on krill, copepods and small schools of sighting and stranding events have been recorded), when indi- individuals and small groups may stray from the Atlantic and
fish. They are still commercially hunted in other seas, but there is viduals from the North Atlantic occasionally enter the region. An perhaps from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. No viable
no indication that the population is presently endangered. increase in the number of Humpbacks in the Mediterranean has populations are known to live in the Mediterranean or Black Seas.
been observed in recent years, however, with one record approxi- The main threats are currently direct and incidental catches by
mately every year and a half. It is not known if these whales are fishing boats, noise disturbance from boats and sonar equipment,
able to find their way back to the Atlantic or if they stay in the and pollution.
Mediterranean. The species is completely absent from the Sea of
Marmara and Black Sea.
TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION
Class: Mammalia Family: Balaneopteridae Class: Mammalia Family: Balaenopteridae Class: Mammalia Family: Delphinidae
Order: Cetartiodactyla Genus: Balaenoptera Order: Cetartiodactyla Genus: Megaptera Order: Cetartiodactyla Genus: Pseudorca
Cetacea (unranked) Species: acutorostrata Cetacea (unranked) Species: novaeangliae Cetacea (unranked) Species: crassidens
Mysticeti (unranked) Mysticeti (unranked) Odontoceti (unranked)
IUCN RED LIST IUCN RED LIST IUCN RED LIST
Global status: Least Concern Global status: Least Concern Global status: Data Deficient
.16