Greetings from the sea: During a large-scale survey along the coast of Israel, we met Shlomi, the dolphin we have known for almost a decade

Researchers from Delphis and Morris Kahn Marine Research Station at the University of Haifa identified "Shlomi," a Common bottlenose dolphin known to researchers since 2017, as well as 17 other dolphins, during a survey of mammals and seabirds along the coast of Israel. The survey was carried out as part of the implementation of the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea

Researchers from Delphis Association and the University of Haifa were excited to meet again Shlomi, the common bottlenose dolphin they first encountered in 2017, off the coast of the center. Shlomi was observed this week during a mammal and seabird survey conducted by the Nature and Parks Authority in collaboration with our researchers, ornithologists from the Society for the Protection of Nature, and researchers from the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station of the Charney School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa.

Common bottlenose dolphins observed during the survey. Photo: Mattan Benedict, Delphis

During the two-day survey, conducted within the framework of the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea, the Delphis team scanned the entire Israeli coastline, covering nearly 500 kilometers. The researchers observed 18 adult common bottlenose dolphins, grouped in two pods in the center of the country, and identified a rich variety of seabirds and migratory birds. There was also a rare sighting of a white-bellied sole - a relatively rare bird species in our country.

The survey data will be processed into a report, which will be submitted within the framework of the Barcelona Convention

From analyzing the photos taken during the survey, researcher at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, Kim Kobo, identified one of the dolphins as "Shlomi" - the fifth pup of the female dolphin Suki, which is frequently observed off the coast of Israel and has been seen to date with no less than eight different pups.

Yaly Mevorach, who coordinates the Deep Sea Project at the Super Predator Laboratory of the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, said that the survey data will be processed into a report, which will be submitted within the framework of the Barcelona Convention.

The common dolphin - a key species in the Barcelona Convention

The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most abundant and stable dolphin species along Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

Dr. Aviad Scheinin of Delphis, Head of the Apex Predators Program at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, said: “The common bottlenose dolphin is one of the key species monitored under the Barcelona Convention. Monitoring this species forms part of Israel’s commitment to achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) in the Mediterranean Sea. This survey provided an important complementary snapshot to the continuous, long-term research conducted by researchers from the University of Haifa and the Delphis Association, using a variety of research methods, as described in a scientific paper we published in 2025.”

Survey route. Over the course of two days, approximately 500 kilometers were covered.

What do you do if you see a marine mammal?

Have you encountered a marine mammal? Keep your distance, keep curious people away, take pictures and report!