It’s World Dolphin Day: And Malta’s Waters Are Home To More Dolphins Than You Might Think

Living on an island, the sea is part of everyday Maltese life, but beneath the surface, we share our waters with some pretty incredible neighbours.

Today, 12th September, marks World Dolphin Day, a day dedicated to celebrating dolphins while raising awareness about the threats they continue to face around the world.

And Malta has its own reason to celebrate.

According to the Environment and Resources Authority, eight species of cetaceans have been reported in Maltese waters, with three dolphin species regularly encountered around the islands: the bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin and striped dolphin.

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to spot dolphins while out on a boat around Malta or Gozo, there’s a good chance it was one of these.

Dolphins are not simply one of the sea’s most loved animals either. They are important predators within the marine ecosystem and play a role in maintaining its natural balance. Malta has also designated marine protected areas which help protect species including the bottlenose dolphin.

But sharing the Mediterranean with them comes with responsibility.

Marine litter, underwater noise, fishing activity and human disturbance are among the pressures cetaceans can face.

The ERA specifically advises people not to chase or disturb dolphins when encountering them at sea.

So next time you're somewhere off Comino, Gozo or Malta and a fin suddenly appears beside the boat, enjoy the moment, but give them their space.

We might spend most of summer looking at Malta's sea.

World Dolphin Day is a good reminder to think about everything living inside it too.

Have you ever spotted dolphins in Maltese waters?

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