This year the number of dead dolphins off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast has increased on last year, figures from the Ministry of Environment and Water suggest. The three dolphin species that inhabit the Black Sea are on the verge of worldwide extinction and their destruction is punishable with up to 5 years in prison and fines up to 10,000 euro. So far this year along the coastline from Burgas to Tsarevo, 22 dead dolphins have been found. Last year there were 19 dead dolphins along the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coastline, while in 2013 their number was 37. The most common causes of dolphin deaths include various diseases and unintended entanglement in fishing nets.