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TWO large, separate groups of Risso's dolphins have been spotted by BDRP and its affiliated Spanish research organisation AMBAR (Sociedad para Estudio y la Conservacion de la Fauna Marina) who were crossing from Biscay through the English Channel.
Marinelife’s research director, Dr Tom Brereton commented: “In over 13 years of research in the Channel and Biscay, BDRP have never before recorded Risso’s Dolphin in the group sizes encountered this month.
The first group numbered 26 and included four young dolphins, the second group, which was observed further into the Channel, numbered 40 dolphins. BDRP chairman Clive Martin said: “Both groups seemed to be travelling from North to South and may have been part of a mass migration from colder, more northerly waters.”
This species has a unique appearance; pale grey-coloured, robust, blunt headed dolphins with a prominent dorsal fin and lacking a beak. They are often highly scarred due to fighting between individuals and tend to be more sedate than other dolphins.
BDRP researcher and PR officer, Adrian Shephard added: “Risso’s Dolphin are frequently encountered off the Welsh coastline and in the Irish sea by our affiliated research organisation and charity; SeaTrust.” Cliff Benson who heads SeaTrust records this species from both land and sea-based surveys, but again in relatively small groups.
BDRP continues to monitor the Channel and Biscay for a re-appearance of these large groups of Risso’s Dolphin together with other species with the aim of understanding their behaviour, movements and the threats they face.
BDRP is a key project for Marinelife, a charitable scientific
organisation, which has been conducting dedicated research into the
behaviour and distribution of whales and dolphins, collectively known
as cetaceans for over 10 years. It works closely with other research
organisations throughout Europe conducting similar research through
the umbrella of the Atlantic Research Coalition (ARC).
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