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Nature and EnvironmentEurope

Marine mystery in Bosnia and Herzegovina

September 5, 2017

Researchers along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea are diving deep to try and find out what is killing local shark and ray populations.

https://p.dw.com/p/2jM48
Man holding dead ray
Image: Sharklab Bosnien-Herzegowina

Ailing rays and sharks in the Adriatic Sea

Project area: 5-kilometer-long coastline of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Project aim: Establishment of a national ocean research institute for the study of threatened species of shark, ray and skate along the coast of the eastern Adriatic Sea. 

Project implementation: Research teams from the University of Sarajevo go on dives, observe marine life and take water samples.

Successes: Initial analysis of reasons for widespread disease and death among sharks and rays.

The high death rate of certain shark and manta ray species in the eastern Adriatic Sea has local researchers worried. A team of scientists from the University of Sarajevo's Sharklab is working day and night to try and find out why the marine animals are suffering - from fatty liver, hepatitis and degenerative changes to tissue.

A film by Christian Pricelius