Update of the population estimates for both species and their distribution in the study area considered.

The objective of the project of the Association of Naturalists of the Southeast is to improve theknowledge of the status of the populations of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and pilot whale (Grampus griseus) in various marine SCIs on the Mediterranean coast of the south and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula.

Among the actions of this project are the navigation campaigns in the SCIs considered and their surroundings, the deployment of 5 satellite tags in specimens of both species and the analysis of all the available information, both from these new campaigns, as well as that stored and pending analysis from previous years. The activities also include the preparation of management proposals based on the results obtained after the analysis of the available information, the dissemination campaign in parallel to the navigation campaigns in the SCIs considered and an environmental volunteering programme to collaborate in the research campaigns, including theoretical training courses for those interested in actively participating in data collection.

The Association of Naturalists of the Southeast expects the following results:

• Cartography, population status and management proposal for bottlenose dolphins in the SCIs considered.
• Cartography, population data and management proposal for pilot whale in the SCIs considered.
• Precise methodology for the use of satellite tagging as another tool in the study and management of the species considered in the study area.
• Proposal to change the status of the risso’s dolphin, according to the IUCN criteria, abandoning that of “insufficient data” for one in which the category of threat, if any, in the study area is faithfully reflected.
• Management proposals for the priority areas of conservation for the species considered if they coincide with the SCIs considered. If this is not done, a proposal to extend or modify the limits of said SCIs.
• Contributions to the management plan of the proposed SCI ESZ16003 South of Almeria-Seco de los Olivos and SCI ES90ATL02 Western Strait.
• To make the project, its objectives and its results known to society, with particular attention to groups directly related to the environment of the SCIs considered (tourists and inhabitants).
• Participation of citizens and stakeholders in the project.

The poor state of the sea, the few encounters with the target species or the involvement of few citizens in the project are the problems that the initiative may encounter.