Dolphins were recently spotted in the Baltic Sea near the Gulf of Gdańsk. Dr. Tatiana Guellard explains why this unusual sighting occurred and what it means for the marine mammals.
Rare Dolphin Sighting Near Gulf of Gdańsk
Last week, MatSail, a company that offers sailing courses and training, shared a video on social media showing two dolphins swimming near a yacht in the Gulf of Gdańsk. According to Dr. Tatiana Guellard from the Education Center at Gdynia Aquarium, these dolphins are common dolphins, a species occasionally seen near the Polish coast.
Challenges Dolphins Face in the Baltic
Dr. Guellard explained that the Baltic Sea is not a natural habitat for dolphins, as they prefer saltier waters typically found in tropical and temperate seas. The dolphins likely entered through the Danish Straits, driven by curiosity or in search of food. She also highlighted the dangers these dolphins face in the Baltic, such as low salinity levels affecting their health and the risk of entanglement in fishing nets. Observations like these should be reported to the Marine Station at the University of Gdańsk to aid scientific research on marine species in the Baltic Sea.