SFS Croatia: Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals of the Adriatic

The Center for the Conservation of Marine Megafauna program takes place in the Croatian archipelagos of the Eastern Adriatic coast. Consisting of 1,244 islands, islets, and reefs, the Croatian coast is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The Adriatic Sea is a hotspot for biodiversity, and one of the regions of the Mediterranean most affected by climate change. Alongside marine conservation professionals, students survey bottlenose dolphins, satellite track turtles, and monitor seagrass, while analyzing how shipping, tourism, and bycatch threaten fragile populations. A dolphin breach beside the research boat becomes a moment of wonder, as students log the data into conservation records. They also help rehabilitate injured turtles and interpret stranding data for policy. Each encounter underscores Croatia’s dilemma: a coast famed for beauty but pressured by unsustainable growth. Students not only contribute data but also grapple with how science and society must recalibrate to keep the Adriatic alive.