The sea of Rome hides a biological treasure that continues to amaze scientists and visitors. A few miles from the coast, between the waves of Ostia and the dunes of Capocotta, the natural spectacle of bottlenose dolphins, the most famous coastal dolphins in the Mediterranean, takes place daily. These are not sporadic passages: a recent census confirmed that over 400 specimens permanently populate this marine area. The data collected in the last three years shows a net increase in sightings, a tangible sign of a healthy habitat.
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A submerged biodiversity sanctuary
The heart of this phenomenon is the Marine Protected Area of the Secche di Tor Paterno, a rock island entirely submerged and surrounded by sandy seabeds. This reserve is managed by the regional body RomaNatura, chaired by Marco Visconti. Biologist Lisa Stanzani has defined the area as a true sanctuary of biodiversity. The sedentary nature of the cetaceans in this stretch of the coast indicates that the ecosystem is intact and rich in food resources. Dolphins, in fact, act as bioindicators: their massive presence and, above all, reproduction on site testify to the excellent quality and conservation of the marine environment.
Scientific monitoring and protection of puppies
During regular surveillance activities, park rangers recently documented a pod of 15-20 individuals, within which several cubs were taking their first aquatic steps, some with the fetal folds still visible. To study these animals without altering their well-being, researchers apply the non-invasive technique of photoidentification, capturing images of the dorsal fins to recognize individual individuals. Scientific protocols require navigating while remaining parallel to the route of the cetaceans and at a safe distance. Institutional activities are accompanied by citizen science projects, in which direct reports from citizens offer valuable elements for biological research.
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Threats to the species and active management
Despite the evident vitality of the area, the survival of bottlenose dolphins remains linked to the fight against strong anthropic pressures. Noise pollution, microplastics and the phenomenon of bycatch (accidental catches in fishing nets) represent the main dangers for the species. For this reason, during monitoring trips the operators also remove floating waste. According to the management of RomaNatura, the continuity of observations and the financing of surveillance are the only tools capable of guaranteeing sustainable coexistence between the development of human activities and the strict protection of Rome’s naturalistic heritage.
