Operation 3 Seas: Study B
Tim Awbery • 2 May 2019
Conservation works at its best when different parties - be they countries, NGOs or individuals - work together towards a joint goal. In 2018, DMAD and Project Manaia formed 'Operation 3 Seas', a research effort which would explore areas of the Eastern Mediterranean where little is known about resident cetaceans.

Leaving Bar last Friday, they began 'Study B' of the research effort, which passes through Montenegrin, Albania and Greek waters eventually ending in Plakias. The first few weeks focused on networking with fellow NGOs, universities, dive schools and other institutions in order to establish the need for a data sharing platform to aid research and conservation in the Adriatic. Within Montenegrin and Albanian waters the team aims to document five key cetacean (dolphins and whales) species which will aid the conservation efforts of Montenegro Dolphin Research and Albania Dolphin Research (a collaborative project between DMAD and the Agricultural University of Tirana). The team has already collected some fantastic data (including citizen science data) on invasive species, cetaceans, sea grass and other species, and has achieved some great steps in terms of networking with other universities and organisations! They hope to continue this on the journey southwards to enhance conservation in the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean.
For updates please follow their journey on Instagram at @Operation3Seas

Even while Tim was on a short recovery break after his accident, it was a real relief and a proud moment to know that Francesca Soster was presenting Plotting the Wild's early results on species distribution modelling for cetacean conservation in Malta at ECS2025. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with Francesca and the rest of the team on this work. And… exciting news — the paper has just been accepted for publication! Keep your eyes peeled for its release 👀