By Press Release
Researchers are calling for sailors, and other boat users, to help them monitor the UK’s smallest population of coastal bottlenose dolphins.
The south coast pod of just 40 dolphins has been spotted along the entire south coast of England to East Sussex, making it hard to track them in detail. They are asking the public to help them build a comprehensive picture of the pod’s movements and any factors, including human activities or environmental conditions, that may influence their activities and breeding behaviour.
Freya Diamond, an MSc Marine Conservation student at the University of Plymouth, will be analysing reported sightings. She said: “Despite them having been identified a number of years ago, we still know very little about this population. That means we are not in the best position to fully understand the challenges they are facing and how we can support these dolphins in the future. This project will hopefully provide us with the critical information we need to plug some of those knowledge gaps.”
Any sightings, with photographs if possible, should be emailed to SCbottlenosedolphins@outlook.com, or reported on-line via iow.life/dolphins.
Some tips:
• Know what you’re looking for – bottlenose dolphins are grey all over (not patterned), and are between 2m and 4m (6’6” to 13’) long;
• Take clear pictures of dorsal fins if you can as individuals can be identified by markings on the fin;
• Note the precise date, time, and location where the sighting took place;
• Remember, it is a criminal offence to harass dolphins, so don’t get too close as it may disturb and stress them.
