At the heart of the Pelagos Sanctuary live some of the most fascinating marine species of the Mediterranean. One standout is the sperm whale, capable of diving to depths of 2,000 meters to hunt giant squid.

Dolphins are among the undisputed stars of the area: the bottlenose dolphin, which stays near the coast and is accustomed to human presence; the striped dolphin, often seen offshore in large groups; and the common dolphin, once widespread throughout the basin.
Swimming alongside them is the lesser-known long-finned pilot whale, recognizable by its large rounded head.

Even in a protected area like the Pelagos Sanctuary, marine mammals face numerous pressures caused by human activities. These threats are often invisible, but they can have serious and lasting consequences.

One of the most insidious is noise pollution: maritime traffic, industrial activities, and underwater exploration produce continuous noise that interferes with the cetaceans’ echolocation, disorienting them and increasing the risk of strandings.

Equally concerning is plastic pollution, which directly affects the health of these animals. Ingested fragments can cause obstructions or malnutrition, while abandoned fishing nets—known as ghost nets—pose a serious risk of entanglement.

The Pelagos Sanctuary was created to counter these and other threats, but its effectiveness depends on the collaboration of everyone: institutions, local communities, marine operators, and informed citizens.

Since 2002, the Pelagos Agreement has united Italy, France, and the Principality of Monaco in a common mission: to ensure effective protection of marine mammals and their habitats through:

• scientific research programs to better understand the Sanctuary’s ecological dynamics;
• shared guidelines to reduce the impact of human activities like boating or fishing;
• education and awareness campaigns targeting citizens, tourists, and marine stakeholders;
• direct involvement of coastal municipalities, which play a key role in implementing protection measures locally.

To raise awareness and actively engage students, citizens, and tourists in Genoa in protecting this underwater heritage, Pelagos in the City was created: a project promoted by the Environmental Education and Sustainability Center (CEAS) of the Municipality of Genoa, in collaboration with Worldrise and the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

Over 130 students from three high schools in Genoa took part in interactive lessons, field trips, and creative workshops to learn about the wonders and vulnerabilities of the Sanctuary and become true Pelagos Ambassadors.
The result? An urban itinerary made up of 10 stops across the Old Port and the historic center of Genoa, featuring informative panels with artworks, educational texts, and multimedia content.

Each stop tells a story from the Pelagos Sanctuary: a marine wonder, a threat to tackle, or a solution to adopt—designed to inspire citizens and tourists toward greater awareness and concrete action.

You can explore the route online as well:

• https://pelagos-sanctuary.org/it/
• https://www.mase.gov.it/portale/accordo-pelagos-santuario-dei-mammiferi-marini-nel-mediterraneo
• https://tethys.org/activities-overview/public-awareness/conoscere-il-santuario-pelagos-e-i-cetacei-che-lo-abitano/
• https://www.portofinoamp.it/
• https://smart.comune.genova.it/contenuti/pelagos-città-un-percorso-di-scoperta-tra-arte-scienza-e-ambiente
• https://worldrise.org/it/progetti/proposte-educative/pelagos-in-citta/