Black Sea Day in Georgia: Finalizing the results of the half-year cetacians’ monitoring in the Black Sea

During the International Black Sea Day, the scientific community jointly with the Georgian youth discussed the results of the citizens monitoring of the cetacians. It started on April 20, 2024, when Georgian NEA scientists introduced pupils from seven schools along the Black Sea coast, from Sarpi to Anaklia, to guidance on conducting cetacean shore watches through training. They were also provided with information on completing data logs, as well as a species identification guide.

Georgian pupils have successfully adapted the methodology with the support of their teachers, conducting regular land-based surveys for about six months. This initiative aims to monitor cetacean populations and gather valuable data for conservation efforts in the region.

The pupils followed the established guidelines. They have chosen suitable monitoring points along the coastline to ensure optimal visibility and safety.

• Frequency of Watches: The pupils conducted watches every 10 days, adhering to the recommended minimum effort of at least one hour per session.

• Weather Conditions: Each watch was initiated only when weather conditions were favorable, avoiding days with rough seas or poor visibility, in line with the guidelines.

• Safety Measures: The pupils were equipped with appropriate clothing and footwear, ensuring their safety while observing from coastal areas. They were reminded of potential risks, including slips on rocks and exposure to weather.

• Equipment: Participants were provided with necessary items such as binoculars and data recording forms as per instructions.

Data Collection: Each session involved actively searching for cetaceans for the entire duration of the watch.The pupils meticulously recorded start and end times, sea state, swell height, and visibility conditions, as well as any sightings of cetaceans.They documented details such as species identification, group sizes, and observed behaviors, noting their level of certainty in each identification.

Reporting: Even on days with no sightings, the pupils returned completed data forms, emphasizing the significance of negative data for analysis. The activities were supervised by the EU4EMBLAS and NEA experts from the department of fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic biodiversity.

On October 31, 2024, during the International Black Sea Day event at the National Environmental Agency’s Batumi office, pupils from each school presented their data. The winning school was revealed by jury and awarded a prize, while all participants received gifts for their active contributions, as did their teachers for their support.

This initiative marks the first time such an activity has been conducted in Georgia, engaging children in hands-on cetacean shore watches. Through this experience, they learned about biodiversity, developed skills in data collection, and fostered teamwork. The students expressed a strong desire to continue these activities, eager to contribute to marine conservation. Overall, this groundbreaking initiative has inspired them to take an active role in protecting their environment.

The data collected by the students will soon be analyzed and a report compiled. This analysis may offer insights into the distribution and behavior of these marine mammals, which could contribute to ongoing conservation efforts and inform future research initiatives. The findings will be shared with local communities and stakeholders to help raise awareness about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.