Leisure boating noise as a trigger for the displacement of the bottlenose dolphins of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago (northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia)

► Leisure boating is the major source of anthropogenic noise in the sea. ► Leisure boating noise affects dolphin distribution in the study area. ► Dolphin displacements are reported during the season of highest boat presence. ► Highest sea ambient noise levels characterizes areas of the most intense boating. ► Reduced dolphin presence characterizes area of highest sea ambient noise.