[CINC] Final Score: Italy 1-Croatia 0

[Paul Jr. Petrich]

CINC Volunteers,

 I have completed my work and vacation time on the shores and seas of Sicily, southern Italy, and most of the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. My last seafaring was through the Kornat Islands National Park of Croatia. These ialands and islets number between 140-150: they are not sure, as some are merly rocks barely visable above water.The sea is clear and not poluted throughout the park, and the undersea plantlife is abundant. On two long day boat trips into the islands, this sadly amazing fact remains : I have seen only ONE marine mammal in my entire 6+ months of enjoying the local seas via recreation or at least seashore viewing almost every day! The depletion of marine mammal numbers in these seas is shocking.

 Polution is not the problem here, but fish stocks are greatly depleted from recorded historic highs. Croatia, once had  tremendously productive and healthy fisheries, is now listed as a nation with poor fishing resources. The seas around Sicily reflect the same history, with the added problem of areas with seamingly high polution. Your daily reports about marine mammal counts in and around the CINMS have been a source of amazement to a number of ocean lovers I shared them with here in Italy and Croatia. The old timers remember better sightings, but the younger generation have no clue as to what was and can be!

  Keep on @creating good vibrations!  Paul

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