Abstract

This study was carried out to determine stranding levels, dead reasons and some reproduction features and diet of the Black Sea’ cetacean species (harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena and common dolphin, Delphinus delphis) Rize coast in the Black Sea. By caught cetaceans (71 harbour porpoise and 4 common dolphins) were drowned entangled in the nets and they did not damage the turbot nets. Stranding levels of the Black Sea’ cetaceans (6 harbour porpoise and 4 common dolphins) were 60% P. phocoena and 40% D. delphis. Probable causes of death of stranding cetaceans were determined as asphyxia and marine pollutions. Mating of P. phocoena begins between June and July and calving takes after May. A total of 52 harbour porpoise and 6 common dolphin stomach examined for diet analyzes. Harbour porpoises feed mainly anchovy (N = 86%; FO = 63%), whiting (N = 12%; FO = 25%) and horse mackerel (N = 2%; FO = 11%), and also common dolphin feed mainly anchovy (N = 8%, FO = 43%) and horse mackerel (N = 5%; FO = 43%).

(Paper in Turkish)