The consequences of the environmental disaster unfolding in the Black Sea are becoming increasingly severe. Following a fuel oil spill in the Kerch Strait, more than 600 dead dolphins have washed ashore over the course of one year.
According to the Delfa Scientific and Environmental Center for the Rescue of Marine Mammals, dolphin mortality sharply increased already in the first month after the accident. Experts do not rule out that this situation may persist for several years. Possible causes include the accumulation of toxins in the body, an increase in various diseases, and a decline in birth rates.
At the same time, it is difficult to state with certainty that all dolphins found on the shore died directly as a result of the fuel oil spill. However, the high mortality rates recorded in October–November and during the beaching season are causing serious concern among environmentalists.
It should be recalled that in December 2024, during a storm in the Kerch Strait, two tankers capsized, spilling thousands of tons of fuel oil into the sea. Following this incident, the Black Sea ecosystem suffered significant damage. According to official data, some polluted beaches may not be restored until 2026.
In short, human error is exacting a heavy toll on nature. The fate of dolphins in the Black Sea is expected to remain under close scrutiny by environmental experts for many years to come.
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