Large numbers of Common & Bottlenose dolphins seen off Wales

01/07/2009 12:04:53 Dolphins surprise watchers in Wales

July 2009. Dolphin watchers along the Welsh coast have been recording a number of interesting sightings in recent weeks, and as the countdown begins to National Whale and Dolphin Watch in July, experts are hoping for many more.

Some of the sightings have included unusually large numbers of bottlenose dolphins outside Cardigan Bay where they normally reside in summer, even spotted as far east as Rhyl on the edge of Liverpool Bay. These sightings support calls from the marine research and education charity Sea Watch for extensions to the Special Areas of Conservation for the species within Cardigan Bay.

Common dolphins & porpoises
Other unusual sightings have included common dolphins off the Gower coast. Excellent survey conditions have also enabled surveyors to record encouraging numbers of both bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in Cardigan Bay.

Sea Watch research director Peter Evans said: "Our surveys and photo ID research are revealing just how far the bottlenose dolphins from Cardigan Bay can range not just in winter but in summer too.

Large groups of Bottlenose dolphins
"There here been several sightings of groups of more than 20 bottlenose dolphins off the north and east coasts of Anglesey, and now off Rhyl, one of the more easterly locations for the species in the Irish Sea. We have recorded several of the individuals in these groups in previous years in Cardigan Bay.

Wind farm
"These sightings have important implications for the wind farm developments at nearby North Hoyle and Gwynt y Mor since there has been cause for concern over possible disturbance during both the construction and production phases. Under the EU Habitats Directive, bottlenose dolphins require specific protective measures and that's why two of three SACs in UK were created in Cardigan Bay for the species. However, we now know that the Cardigan Bay animals are regularly coming here as well, so that conservation management must extend to this region."

Dr Evans also reported the Sea Watch team seeing around 40 individuals on 22 June in a flat calm sea about three miles offshore between Moelfre and Puffin Island off Anglesey.

Gower Peninsula
Elsewhere off the Welsh coast, a school of 20-40 short-beaked common dolphins was spotted off the Gower coastline by Mick Parker who saw them about one mile off Worm's Head near Rhossili. They were bow-riding for about 20 minutes. Mick recorded video footage which can be viewed on You Tube.

Three days later, a report came in from Dave Harry who had also seen the common dolphins bow-riding his boat at East Helwick Bank on the south Gower coast - probably the same group.

Sea Watch Sightings officer Gemma Veneruso said: "Common dolphins occur regularly in the summer months off Pembrokeshire. However, this species is rarely seen off the Gower coast. We believe they were probably attracted by offshore fish shoals coming into the area."

Cardigan Bay
In Cardigan Bay, Sea Watch surveys have recorded encouraging numbers of both bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises, whilst also identifying some friction between the two species.

Gemma said: "Some of the bottlenose dolphins have been matched to those already recorded on the Sea Watch Photo ID database, whilst others are new to Sea Watch researchers. We are always pleased when we come across dolphins that we have already recorded, especially since several this year have been seen with new calves.

Bottlenose attacking harbour porpoises
"This year in particular, we are interested in hearing about bottlenose dolphin attacks on harbour porpoises, after an attack was witnessed off Ynys Lochtyn in Cardigan Bay in front of a wildlife watching boat. Such attacks are the most common cause of death of porpoises in Wales but the event is rarely viewed and the reasons are not clear - food or competition for space might be the issue. We are hoping to throw more light on this behaviour through further research."

National Whale and Dolphin Watch
The charity is hoping that more people than ever before will take part in the National Whale and Dolphin Watch which runs from July 18-26. Members of the public can freely join co-ordinators at land watches to look for species, or they can send in any sightings they have from anywhere on the coast. There are also opportunities to join boat surveys, at a small cost. To find out more, visit www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

The National Whale and Dolphin Watch, sponsored by BG, is now in its eighth year. The data it gathers help build a year-by-year picture of the distribution of species, and numbers around our coast, providing scientific advice on trends.

Gemma said: "The information that we and others gather during the watch helps to provide a snapshot of what is happening to these marine mammals, and this helps scientists and policy makers to develop conservation policies which will help protect them."