Background Three dolphin species can be found in Romanian Black Sea waters: the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena, 400-600 individuals), the bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, 500-1000 individuals) and the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis, 600-800 individuals). Following a period of extensive killing by all the riparian countries beginning in the early 1930s, five of them stopped hunting in 1966. Turkey also stopped in 1983 as a consequence of the moratorium of Black Sea cetaceans fishing declared by the former Soviet Republic in 1966. Out of almost one million dolphins estimated in the 1950s in the whole Black Sea basin, the populations dropped to 300 000 individuals in the 1960s. In spite of the interdiction of the catching, the stock continued to decline. Among the main threats to these populations are incidental catches in large nets set for fishing and habitat degradation and disturbance. Urban development and industrialisation along the coast, and the subsequent rise in pollution levels are causing the destruction of fish nurseries and the accumulation of toxic compounds in the cetaceans. Moreover, recent studies have shown a high incidence of fatal disease (mainly nematode pneumonia) among Black Sea dolphins. Objectives The project aim was to develop a technical and legal basis for the conservation of the three endangered dolphin species in the Romanian Black Sea area. The project would improve knowledge of accidental catching of dolphins and impose restrictions for fishing methods known to have adverse impacts on dolphins. Surveys on pollutants sources from the Romanian coast that have harmful effects on dolphins, and studies on the incidence of diseases would also be carried out in order to define and implement mitigation measures. The project would also draw up and adopt a national action plan based on the monitoring of the populations and on the evaluation of impacts and main threats. Suitable measures for the conservation of the habitat, including the designation of new marine reserves were also foreseen. The project would also carry out an awareness-raising campaign and construct an information centre. Results The project has fulfilled all its proposed objectives. The planned actions were satisfactorily undertaken and the expected results were successfully attained. However, the setting up of an information centre on the sea shore that incurred several difficulties. It made significant steps towards the development of a technical and legal basis for strengthening the national regulatory and management framework for the effective conservation of the three endangered dolphin species. Knowledge of the dolphin’s populations has greatly improved. Thanks to the studies undertaken in the project, their current status, distribution and main threats are well known. Dolphins sightings, stranding and incidental takes were systematically recorded during the project with the collaboration of a network of surveyors and volunteers operating along the Romanian Black Sea Coast. Furthermore, a survey of adverse impacts of marine and land-based economic activities on dolphins was undertaken. A Marine Mammal Database for the Romanian Black Sea coast was expanded and now contains all collected survey data. The information included in this database is shared with other regional databases such as MEDACES, the Mediterranean database used by the International Agreement for the Conservation of Cetaceans (ACCOBAMS). The project drew up a national action plan for dolphin conservation with the collaboration of the main stakeholders and authorities involved in dolphin conservation, as well as international experts and the support of ACCOBAMS. As a result of the surveys conducted by the project, the best areas for dolphin protection in the Romanian littoral have been identified, which correspond to the marine reserve of Vama Veche-Doi Mai and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. A management plan has been drawn up for the former and the beneficiary received the custody for the management of this area from the Ministry of Environment, in accordance with Romanian legislation regarding the management of protected areas. The project helped raise local awareness of the conservation of cetaceans through the implementation of numerous activities with the participation of local institutions (dolphinarium, schools, children’s clubs, etc.). A dolphins’ week was organised every year featuring exhibitions, theatre performances, drawing contests among other activities. Moreover, dissemination of the project activities through the media has been constant during the project, including a TV spot that was broadcasted on different TV channels. Finally, the project established good collaboration network, not only among the project partners but also with the main stakeholders working on the marine environment (fishermen, coast guards, frontier police, national water company, environmental protection inspectorate, etc.). In total, around 50 people have worked on the project on a voluntary basis. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).