Welcome to our website
Welcome to the website of Oceanomare Delphis! Our association consists of experts and enthusiasts who want to work for the conservation of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea. We do this by studying them in the open sea, in their natural environment, using non-invasive methods, and aboard a sailboat. More than 30 years ago, we chose the Pontine and Campanian Islands archipelagos as our study area. Sailing between these islands, we monitor the health of the cetacean populations present.
Seven cetacean species live in our study area: three species of beaked dolphins, two species of large dolphins, and two sea giants inhabit the waters around the archipelagos. The biodiversity of this area has been documented over time and has led to protective works such as Marine Protected Areas and Important Marine Mammal Areas. Learn about our cetaceans by browsing through the animal files.
Learn about our cetaceans!
Striped dolphin
Common dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin
Risso's dolphin
Pilot whale
Sperm whale
Fin whale
Citizen involvement through Citizen Science helps scientific research by contributing to monitoring and data collection
Have you spotted a dolphin or a whale?
You can transmit your sighting to us by filling out a simple form!
Let's open wide the doors to the natural world!
Participates in sea expeditions and supports research.
Since 1991, hundreds of enthusiasts from all over the world have decided to devote their holidays to our study project.
We create opportunities for students and enthusiasts
In the challenge to the conservation of the natural world.
We welcome on board free of charge young researchers, students, and lovers who wish to learn techniques for studying cetaceans in the environment and use professional research instrumentation.
Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) & Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM)
Since 2015, in collaboration with CIBRA (Interdisciplinary Center for Bioacoustics and Environmental Research), we have been developing plans for monitoring and mitigation of marine mammals in the Mediterranean Sea and conducting related sampling and reporting.
As ACCOBAMS trainers, we organize dedicated courses to train MMO (Marine Mammal Observer) and PAM (Passive Acoustic Monitoring) operators, experts in identifying cetaceans and listening to their vocalizations.
Latest News
5th MMO PAM ACCOBAMS course
24-29 November 2025, Genoa Oceanomare Delphis Onlus and CIBRA (Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioacoustics and Environmental Research), under the agreement signed with ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans…
Whale vision
We are excited to share that our new paper, "Whale Vision: A tool for identifying sperm whales and other cetaceans by their flank or fluke", has just been published. Our research...
55 days on the high seas
During May, June, and July, our researcher Alessandra Staffelli had the opportunity to work as a National Observer for bluefin tuna fishing. A role that is fundamental for the conservation and...