Dead baby dolphins found off Primorsko, Bulgaria linked to illegal fishing nets
Divers discovered a large number of dead dolphin calves near the coastal town of Primorsko on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The carcasses were located at a depth of about 17 m within a radius of roughly 30 m. National deep‑diving record holder Silvia Rashova said the deaths were caused by illegal poaching fishing nets that had been laid in the area a week earlier and only partially removed later, leaving ropes and floats that trapped the young animals.
At least 11 calves were counted, and Rashova believes an entire pod may have perished. She filmed the scene and posted the footage, urging authorities to investigate possible violations of fishing regulations. Another citizen reporter, Atanas Rusev, noted that no obvious signs of entanglement were visible on the bodies. The bodies remained preserved because of the thermocline in the Black Sea, where water at that depth is around 12 °C.
The incident has sparked public outcry and calls for action to prevent further wildlife loss and to enforce existing fishing laws.
Entities: Atanas Rusev · Primorsko · Silvia Rashova
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] After the nets were removed, the dead dolphins were allegedly dumped on the shore. (a34f4a0f-2471-4056-8edd-a862b46a5286)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The dead dolphins were found at a depth of about 17 m within a radius of roughly 30 m. (bf31731a-ad99-4bb2-b9c4-85c61d50534a, 66ed2602-3c14-45da-8973-8ba8a687ed77, a34f4a0f-2471-4056-8edd-a862b46a5286)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least 11 dolphin calves were counted, with the possibility of more. (a34f4a0f-2471-4056-8edd-a862b46a5286)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The deaths were attributed to illegal poaching fishing nets placed a week earlier. (bf31731a-ad99-4bb2-b9c4-85c61d50534a, 66ed2602-3c14-45da-8973-8ba8a687ed77, a34f4a0f-2471-4056-8edd-a862b46a5286)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Silvia Rashova, a national record‑holding deep diver, filmed the dead dolphins and posted the video. (bf31731a-ad99-4bb2-b9c4-85c61d50534a, 66ed2602-3c14-45da-8973-8ba8a687ed77, a34f4a0f-2471-4056-8edd-a862b46a5286)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The bodies remained preserved due to the thermocline in the Black Sea, where water temperature at that depth is about 12 °C. (bf31731a-ad99-4bb2-b9c4-85c61d50534a, 66ed2602-3c14-45da-8973-8ba8a687ed77)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Divers discovered multiple dead baby dolphins near Primorsko, Bulgaria. (bf31731a-ad99-4bb2-b9c4-85c61d50534a, 66ed2602-3c14-45da-8973-8ba8a687ed77, a34f4a0f-2471-4056-8edd-a862b46a5286)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] No obvious signs of entanglement were observed on the dolphins, according to reporter Atanas Rusev. (a34f4a0f-2471-4056-8edd-a862b46a5286)