Assessment of Cetacean Population Abundance at the Romanian Black Sea Coast in 2013

The aim of this study was to describe the marine mammal sighting and abundance related to the distribution in front of the Romanian Black Sea coast, for the year 2013. The assessment of cetacean populations, according to the working methodology used regionally and internationally, imposed the necessity of observations both on shore (seashore, port protection dikes etc.) and at sea, on board vessels and boats. In order to obtain data and information on the population status of marine mammals from the Romanian Black Sea coast, a monitoring plan was drawn-up, aiming at increasing the knowledge of the abundance of cetaceans in the Black Sea, towards the sustainable protection and conservation of the sensitive habitats and species.