Report of Stranding of Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) in Mersin Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Turkey)

Abstract

On 08 April 2019, a mature female striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833), 185 cm in length (TL), was found dead across the shores of the Mersin Naval Museum, Mersin on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Striped dolphins may accidentally enter the fishing nets, which may be one of the reasons for their death. Although this species has been classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN list, considering the frequency of deaths among this species, the necessity to develop species conservation strategies for the Mediterranean was once again proven by the death of this individual. © 2019, ABADER (Adıyaman Bilimsel Arastırmalar Dernegi). All rights reserved.