While more than half of the dolphins and whales in the Mediterranean are at risk of extinction, the bay of the industrial city of Taranto has surprisingly become a “marine paradise” for many dolphin species.
Taranto has a long-standing industrial history; however, the dolphin population off the coast of this coastal city in southern Italy has thrived for many millennia.
The dolphin population off the coast of Taranto thrives despite the city’s historical maritime and industrial activities. (Source: Alamy/National Geographic)
The ancient city of Taranto is located along the Ionian Sea, founded by the Spartans in 706 BC. According to Greek mythology, the city’s origins involve nymphs, wars, sons of gods, and even dolphins.
“Linked to legends, dolphins symbolize the ‘guardians of the city'” – National Geographic quotes Giovanni Pietro Marinò, an archaeologist from the MarTA Museum in Taranto.
Despite being a symbol of the city, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that marine biologist Roberto Carlucci from the University of Bari began questioning the number of dolphins, where they breed and forage, and how they survive off a polluted industrial city.
In Taranto, massive industrial structures loom on the horizon. For many years, residents avoided leaving their homes on windy days to escape the polluted air blowing into the city. However, the region boasts a unique and thriving marine ecosystem.
Dolphins with “Taranto genes”
Dolphins frequently appear in Greek and Roman mythology as benevolent sea creatures, “guardians of sailors” and are associated with the god Apollo.
By the 3rd century BC, Taranto was wealthy and powerful enough to mint its own coins. They chose to mint coins featuring Taras, the son of the sea god Poseidon. The image of Taras riding a dolphin on the coin is the identity of currency from Taranto.
On beautiful days, from the old seaside promenade of Taranto, one can still see dolphins swimming very close to the city “out of curiosity or in search of food.”
Through gene sequencing, recent studies have shown that the dolphins in the Gulf possess unique genetic traits not found in other Mediterranean regions. This suggests that today’s dolphins in Taranto may be descendants of those seen by ancient Greeks.
Cristiana De Leonardis, a marine biologist from the Jonian Dolphin Conservation Organization, stated: “These dolphins have ‘Taranto genes’ in their DNA.”
A silver coin dating back to 300 BC, featuring the symbol of Taranto. (Source: Getty Images/National Geographic).
After more than a decade of surveying areas of the Gulf of Taranto, researchers from this conservation organization identified six species: Spinner Dolphins – the largest population estimated at around 20,000 individuals; Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, and the rare Cuvier’s Beaked Whales. Sperm whales come here to breed, and researchers occasionally spot fin whales.
Since monitoring began 15 years ago, the dolphin population has remained stable, and the “key” to their survival may lie thousands of meters beneath the sea.
A few miles off the coast of Taranto, between Puglia and Calabria, lies an underwater canyon known as the Taranto Valley, which reaches depths of 6,500 feet (almost 2 km) at its lowest point. The canyon is a dynamic habitat for cephalopods – the food source for sperm whales.
Its slopes also “mix” warm surface waters with colder, nutrient-rich deep waters, promoting the “production” of phytoplankton at the base of the food chain.
In a balanced ecosystem, phytoplankton nourishes various marine organisms such as shrimp, mollusks, and jellyfish, supplying food to fish species – including dolphins.
As scientists have only recently begun monitoring the Taranto dolphin population, it is unclear how humans have challenged their survival over centuries of “cohabitation.”
However, scientists believe that the unique geography of the canyon provides a stable food source that helps the dolphin population adapt to stress factors like pollution or boat collisions.
Thus, while more than half of the dolphins and whales in the Mediterranean are at risk of extinction, the bay of the industrial city of Taranto has become a surprising “marine paradise.”
Pollution Issues
The coastal city of Italy aims to ensure that its waters remain a sanctuary for the long-standing dolphin population.
Off the city’s coast, dolphins face numerous increasing threats: maritime activity, noise pollution, fishing, and rising sea temperatures.
The Italian Navy has its largest base here, occupying many kilometers of coastline. It is also the site of a NATO command center, and the city’s commercial port is being expanded.
Italy’s first offshore wind farm was inaugurated in 2022, and along the northern coastline of the city, energy company Eni operates a large oil refinery.
Studies show that underwater noise pollution from these activities poses risks to marine mammals like dolphins. Dolphins use sound to communicate, navigate, and hunt. Underwater noise from maritime traffic and industrial activities can disrupt these essential behaviors.
Moreover, air pollution from ILVA – the largest steel plant in Europe – may affect dolphins. Carlucci believes that “it is nearly impossible for pollution generated along the coast not to impact the marine environment and marine life.” However, establishing a direct link between factory pollution and specific impacts on the marine environment requires further research.
ILVA steel plant in Taranto, Southern Italy. (Photo: AFP/TTXVN).
This steel plant was built in the 1960s, peaking in production in the early 1970s and 1980s. The plant employed over 40,000 workers, accounting for about 16% of Taranto’s population at the time and produced more than 17 million tons of steel annually.
The plant currently produces around 3 million tons per year, partly due to lawsuits linking hazardous emissions to deadly diseases like cancer.
A “Green Future” for Both Humans and Dolphins
Currently, Taranto is striving for a greener future for both humans and dolphins.
“This city has made mistakes that many other places in Italy have encountered. We ‘disconnected’ from the sea to build industries” – Taranto’s mayor Rinaldo Melucci stated. He wishes to rebuild those connections and transform the city from its industrial past to a more sustainable future.
Local politicians are now working with scientists to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in part of the Gulf. The MPA aims to enhance conservation efforts, increase resources for research, and set rules to limit noise pollution and maritime traffic.
The MPA is still awaiting approval from the Italian Ministry of Environment and has no clear timeline yet. However, Mayor Melucci is advocating for it and stated that the city will begin establishing local offices that could oversee the MPA someday.
Marine biologist Carlucci is concerned that the increasing port activities may harm the ancient Taranto population before marine protection measures are implemented. “My biggest fear is that it will be too late before we establish those measures.” he said.
Restoring the city’s environment is a challenging process. The old town is being restored and reopened, many cruise ships are currently docking at Taranto’s port, and the city is attracting international marine sports events.
De Leonardis stated: “I want Taranto to once again become the city of dolphins.”
