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Blue World Institute

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Blue World Institute

The Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation (BWI) works to protect the marine environment in the Adriatic Sea.
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To that purpose, the Blue World Institute operates three programmes – research, education, and conservation.

16/09/2026

𝗕𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝗲 𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗼!

Neki se možda sjećaju priče o ženki dobrog dupina po imenu "Boa", koju pratimo od 2009. godine u srednjem Jadranu. Bou smo viđali kako diše isključivo na usta, što je kod dobrih dupina gotovo nemoguće.

Bez obzira na uzrok ovog potencijalno rizičnog ponašanja, Boa je uvijek djelovala zdravo i na svijet je donijela najmanje tri mladunčeta. Barem jedno od njih doseglo je odraslu dob te je ove godine često viđano u blizini otoka Visa.

15. srpnja dupin Boas12 viđen je u živahnim društvenim interakcijama sa starijim mužjacima, Knezom i Terjunom. Na temelju fotografija ge***alnog područja snimljenih tijekom brojnih iskakanja iz vode, potvrdili smo da je riječ o mužjaku. Činilo se da se ovaj mladi mužjak silno želi dokazati pred iskusnijim jedinkama!

Usvojite dupina i podržite naše istraživanje na poveznici:
www.adopt-a-dolphin.org

Pročitajte naš znanstveni rad o Boinom slučaju na poveznici:
www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/article/defying-evolution-observations-of-a-mouth-breathing-bottlenose-dolphin-tursiops-truncatus/

Fotografije © Institut Plavi svijet. Prenošenje je dopušteno isključivo uz jasno navođenje izvora i bez uklanjanja ili izmjene logotipa.
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𝗕𝗼𝗮’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘂𝗽!

Some of you might remember the story of the female bottlenose dolphin named ‘Boa’, which we observed since 2009 in the Central Adriatic Sea. Boa has only been observed breathing through her mouth, usually impossible for bottlenose dolphins.

Whatever has caused this potentially risky behavior, Boa always appeared in good physical health and mothered at least three calves. At least one of these calves has reached adulthood, being a common sight near the island of Vis this year.

On July 15th, Boas12 was observed in energetic social interactions with the older males Knez and Terjun. We confirmed Boas12 is male from pictures of the ge***al area captured during the numerous jumps. It appeared this young male was eager to prove itself amongst the established names!

Adopt a dolphin to support our research at: www.adopt-a-dolphin.org

Read our paper, explaining Boa’s case at: www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/article/defying-evolution-observations-of-a-mouth-breathing-bottlenose-dolphin-tursiops-truncatus/

Photos © Blue World Institute. Republishing is permitted only with full credit and without altering or removing the logo.
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11/09/2026

Budućnost morskog okoliša uvelike ovisi o 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗸𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗷𝗶 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗵 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗷𝗮. Zato je Institut Plavi svijet predan radu s djecom i mladima kroz predavanja i radionice koje provodimo u našem Lošinjskom edukacijskom centru o moru. Početak nove školske godine razveselio nas je dolaskom novih školskih grupa koje su nas posjetile u sklopu programa Škola u prirodi. Radujemo se novoj školskoj godini, novim edukacijskim projektima, suradnjama i svim budućim susretima s mladim istraživačima mora.
Posjetite nas i vi!
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The future of the marine environment largely depends on 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. That is why the Blue World Institute is dedicated to working with children and young people through lectures and workshops held at our Lošinj Marine Education Centre. The start of the new school year has brought us the pleasure of welcoming new school groups visiting as part of the School in Nature programme. We look forward to a new school year filled with educational projects, collaborations, and inspiring encounters with young explorers of the sea.
Come and visit us too!
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04/09/2026

Čista voda, zdravo more. 💦🌊
Ono što završava u našem tlu, rijekama i podzemnim vodama ne nestaje. Putuje kroz povezane ekosustave i prije ili kasnije stiže do mora, utječući na životinjski svijet, lokalne zajednice i buduće generacije.
Zato podržavamo građane koji traže odgovore, transparentnost i odgovorno rješavanje okolišnih problema u Lici. Zaštita vode nije samo lokalno pitanje – ona je pitanje budućnosti svih nas.
Čista voda temelj je zdravih ekosustava, od krških izvora do mora koje istražujemo i štitimo već više od 25 godina. Informirajte se, uključite se i podržite inicijative koje doprinose očuvanju prirode i zdravlja ljudi. 💙🌍
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Clean water, healthy seas. 💦🌊
What ends up in our soil, rivers, and groundwater does not disappear. It travels through interconnected ecosystems and eventually reaches the sea, affecting wildlife, communities, and future generations.
That is why we support citizens who are seeking answers, transparency, and responsible solutions to environmental issues in the Lika region. Protecting water is not just a local concern – it is a matter of our shared future.
Clean water is the foundation of healthy ecosystems, from karst springs to the sea that we have been studying and protecting for more than 25 years. Stay informed, get involved, and support initiatives that help safeguard nature and human health. 💙🌍..

03/09/2026

Pridružite nam se na prikazivanju filma OCEAN S DAVIDOM ATTENBOROUGHOM

🌊Nakon velike posjećenosti u srpnju, pozivamo vas još jednom na besplatnu projekciju filma "Ocean s Davidom Attenboroughom” – zadivljujućeg i višestruko nagrađivanog dokumentarnog filma koji otkriva ljepotu i bogatstvo oceana, njegovu krhkost te, što je najvažnije, našu sposobnost da ga zaštitimo.

📍 Ljetno kino Hrid, Vis
⏱️ 6.9.2026. 20:30 h

📽️ Film će biti prikazan na engleskom jeziku s hrvatskim titlovima.

🆓 Ulaz je besplatan, a mjesta će biti dostupna prema redoslijedu dolaska.

Otkrijte više o budućnosti našeg oceana i saznajte kako svatko od nas može pridonijeti njegovoj obnovi.

Posebno zahvaljujemo koproducentu filma na omogućavanju pristupa filmu.

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Join us for a screening of OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

🌊After huge interest in July, Blue World Vis is hosting another free screening of "Ocean with David Attenborough" - a stunning and award-winning documentary showing us the wonder and vitality of the ocean, its fragility, and most importantly, our ability to protect it.

📍 Summer theater Hrid, Vis
⏱️ 6.9.2026. 20:30 h

📽️ The film will be screened in English with Croatian subtitles.

🆓 Admission is free and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Discover more about the future of our ocean and explore the role each of us can play in bringing our ocean back to life.

Special thanks to , film co-producer, for facilitating access.

# reviveourocean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5J7aP2FYH4

02/09/2026

𝗗𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗷𝘂 𝘂𝘀̌𝗶?
Poput ostalih kitova i dupina, dobri dupini suočavaju se s brojnim kožnim bolestima i parazitima. Zahvaljujući sve kvalitetnijim kamerama i fotografijama, sve češće uspijevamo zabilježiti male vanjske parazite, poznate kao kitove uši.
Unatoč nazivu, kitove uši zapravo nisu uši, već račići iz skupine amfipoda. Pomoću svojih nogu pričvršćuju se za domaćina na mjestima koja su manje izložena strujanju vode, poput dišnog otvora, očiju i usta. S jednog domaćina na drugog prenose se izravnim kontaktom.
Hrane se algama i odumrlim dijelovima kože.
Same po sebi ne uzrokuju značajniju štetu, no veći broj kitovih uši može upućivati na općenito narušeno zdravstveno stanje životinje.

Možete li uočiti kitove uši na ovim fotografijama?

🐬Podržite naše istraživanje posvajanjem dupina na
👉 www.adopt-a-dolphin.org

Fotografije © Institut Plavi svijet. Prenošenje je dopušteno isključivo uz jasno navođenje izvora i bez uklanjanja ili izmjene logotipa.
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𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲?
Like other cetaceans, bottlenose dolphins have to deal with numerous skin diseases and parasites. As cameras and photography improve, we are more regularly capturing evidence of small external parasites, specifically whale lice.
Despite its name, whale lice are amphipods (crustaceans). They use their legs to attach to their hosts in places less exposed to water currents, like blowhole, eye, and mouth. Whale lice travel between hosts through skin to skin contact. They feed on algae and loose skin.
Whale lice do not cause any significant harm themselves, but large numbers can indicate an overall lowered health status of their host.

Can you spot the whale lice on these pictures?

🐬Adopt a dolphin to support our research at
👉 www.adopt-a-dolphin.org

Photos © Blue World Institute. Republishing is permitted only with full credit and without altering or removing the logo.
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28/08/2026

Nakon istraživanja Istre, njemačka putopisna emisija 𝙒𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤̈𝙣! nastavila je svoje putovanje prema jugu i posjetila Institut Plavi svijet na otoku Lošinju.
Njihova ekipa pridružila se Marku na moru i pratila ga u svakodnevnom radu, dobivši uvid u to što znači istraživati i štititi morski svijet Jadrana.
Od dupina i otvorenog mora do jedinstvenih krajolika Lošinja, bilo nam je zadovoljstvo podijeliti dio našeg rada – i našeg otoka – s gledateljima u Njemačkoj i šire.
Hvala ekipi emisije 𝘞𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰̈𝘯! što je bila s nama i pomogla prenijeti priču o nevjerojatnom morskom svijetu koji okružuje Lošinj! 🌊
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After exploring Istria, the German travel show 𝙒𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤̈𝙣! continued its journey south and visited the Blue World Institute on the island of Lošinj.
Their crew joined Marko at sea, following him during his everyday work and getting a glimpse of what it means to study and protect the marine life of the Adriatic.
From dolphins and the open sea to the unique landscapes of Lošinj, it was a pleasure to share a little bit of our work — and our island — with viewers in Germany and beyond.
Thank you to the 𝘞𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰̈𝘯! team for joining us and helping us spread the word about the incredible marine world that surrounds Lošinj! 🌊
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24/08/2026

Priča o običnom dupinu se nastavlja! 🐬
2023. godine izvijestili smo o dva odvojena slučaja usamljenih običnih dupina koji su redovito prilazili brodovima i plivačima u blizini Rijeke i otoka Raba:
www.plavi-svijet.org/samotni-kratkokljuni-obicni-dupini-u-rijeckom-zaljevu-i-kod-raba/
Dupinu u blizini Rijeke lokalno stanovništvo dalo je nadimak Zlatko. Njegova je priča potom dobila neočekivan obrat…
Zlatka smo ponovno opazili 2024. godine, u skupini dobrih dupina u blizini otoka Orude, gdje se hranio iza koće. Od prošle godine, Zlatka smo više p**a vidjeli među različitim skupinama dobrih dupina na području uzgajališta riba u sjevernoj Dalmaciji.
Iako interakcije između ove dvije vrste mogu biti potencijalno opasne za manjeg običnog dupina, nije neuobičajeno da se pripadnici različitih vrsta druže i međusobno prijateljski ponašaju.
U svakom slučaju, draže nam je vidjeti usamljene dupine u društvu dupina druge vrste nego u interakciji s ljudima. Pomozite nam pratiti Zlatkovu priču prijavom opažanja dupina putem besplatne mobilne aplikacije Marine Ranger: https://marine-ranger.org

Fotografije © Institut Plavi svijet. Prenošenje je dopušteno isključivo uz jasno navođenje izvora i bez uklanjanja ili izmjene logotipa.
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The common dolphin story continues!
In 2023 we reported on two separate cases of solitary common dolphins that were observed regularly approaching boats and swimmers near Rijeka and around Rab: www.blue-world.org/solitary-short-beaked-common-dolphins-in-the-bay-of-rijeka-and-near-rab/
The dolphin near Rijeka was nicknamed ‘Zlatko’ by locals. His story took an unexpected turn…
We observed Zlatko in 2024 amongst a group of bottlenose dolphins near the island of Oruda, feeding behind a bottom trawler. Since last year, Zlatko has been observed amongst other groups of bottlenose dolphins, close to fish farms in North Dalmatia.
Although interactions between the two species are potentially dangerous to the smaller common dolphin, it is not unheard of for the species to mix and be friendly towards one another.
In any case, we prefer to see solitary dolphins interacting with dolphins of another species, rather than with humans. Please help us follow Zlatko’s story by reporting sightings of dolphins to free Marine Ranger mobile application (https://marine-ranger.org).

Photos © Blue World Institute. Republishing is permitted only with full credit and without altering or removing the logo...

19/08/2026

Dug dan terenskog rada završio je opažanjem skupine od 14 dobrih dupina ispred uvale Pritišćina. Među njima su bile 𝗭𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗮 i majka, kao i 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻 i 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮 sa svojim novorođenim mladuncima. Budući da smo Spigulu vidjeli samu prije samo tri dana, novorođeni mladunac je rođen između ova dva opažanja. I Fratun i Spigula već su nekoliko p**a bile majke, a njihovi prethodni mladunci su sada osamostaljeni dupini koje i dalje redovno viđamo u viškom akvatoriju. Promatrali smo ovu skupinu sve dok sunce nije zašlo iza otoka Svetog Andrije, što nam je pružilo predivne prizore.

Usvojite dupina kako biste podržali naše istraživanje i omogućili nam da pratimo ove mladunce dok odrastaju: www.adopt-a-dolphin.org .

Fotografije © Institut Plavi svijet. Prenošenje je dopušteno isključivo uz jasno navođenje izvora i bez uklanjanja ili izmjene logotipa...
A long day of fieldwork was completed in special fashion when we spotted a group of 14 bottlenose dolphins in front of Pritišćina Bay. Among them were 𝗭𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗮 and her mother, as well as 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻 and 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮 with their newest offspring. As Spigula was seen alone only three days earlier, her calf must have been born within these two observations. Both Fratun and Spigula have successfully raised several offspring to adulthood before. We observed this group until the sun set behind the island of St. Andrija, providing some beautiful views.

Adopt a dolphin to support our research, allowing us to follow these calves as they grow up: www.adopt-a-dolphin.org.

Photos © Blue World Institute. Republishing is permitted only with full credit and without altering or removing the logo...

Address

Kaštel 24
Veli Losinj
51551

Opening Hours

Monday	10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	10:00 - 16:00
Thursday	10:00 - 16:00
Friday	10:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+38551604666

Website

http://www.blue-world.org/

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