The Delphis Operation, a nautical event for sea lovers, began in July 1996 and has continued since, bringing together many enthusiasts.
To combine a sea outing with environmental marine protection, yacht owners from the French, Monรฉgasque, and Italian coasts of the Mediterranean have been invited since 1996 to take part in an exceptional day of marine mammal observations and seawater sampling for scientific analyses. This is what Operation DELPHIS is about.
This event raises awareness among many yachtsmen and sea users about the preservation of cetaceans and their habitats. Important information is thus collected on species, their presence, plankton, and the biological condition of seawater.
This meeting of sea and cetacean lovers is held every year on the third Sunday of July, with a possible rescheduling to the fourth Sunday in case of unfavorable weather conditions. Canceled on Sunday, July 20, the operation was postponed to Sunday, July 27. All interested yachtsmen are invited at sea for a day of whale and dolphin observation in the Mediterranean.
To ensure the accuracy of the observations, the team travels to several Mediterranean ports to train DELPHIS participants in identifying the different species of cetaceans encountered in this area of the Mediterranean.
Each year, nearly 300 boats are each assigned to a 4-mile square to visually scan the horizon for whales and dolphins.
The significant presence of cetaceans in summer is explained by the high concentration of plankton, which is the base of the food chain, in this area and during this period.
The Battibaleno association joins RIMMO and organizes DELPHIS on the Italian side.
www.rimmo.org