Dolphin Sighting in the Tuzly Lagoons
The first dolphins of 2026 have been recorded in the Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park in Ukraine's Odesa region. This sighting occurred during a coastal survey of the Black Sea, where observers spotted five dolphins hunting schools of fish. The dolphins maintained a certain distance from each other, while nearby, large grebes were also feeding. This park is a vital wetland complex on the Black Sea coast, making such sightings ecologically significant.
Dr. Ivan Rusev, a Doctor of Biological Sciences and head of the park's research department, noted that an active migration of fish and dolphins has begun from their wintering grounds near Crimea, Georgia, and Turkey toward the waters of the Northwestern Black Sea.
'Migrating fish species include atherina, mullets, anchovy, flounder, and others. Besides dolphins, many piscivorous birds are now hunting fish in the coastal sea zone – specifically, great cormorants, yellow-legged and common gulls, and great crested and black-necked grebes.' Ivan Rusev
Migration of Fish and Fish-Eating Birds
The migrating fish species observed in these waters include:
- atherina
- mullets
- anchovy
- flounder
The coastal sea zone is also active with fish-eating birds, among them:
- great cormorants
- yellow-legged and common gulls
- great crested and black-necked grebes
This heightened activity points to shifts in the ecosystem and the recovery of marine species in the region.
The dolphin sightings in the Tuzly Lagoons indicate an improving ecological situation in the Black Sea, potentially resulting from reduced human impact on the marine environment. The migration of fish and dolphins, along with the activity of piscivorous birds, suggests the region may be regaining its biodiversity, which is crucial for preserving marine ecosystems. These changes could also positively affect local fisheries and ecotourism.