Research • Education • Conservation
Mission Statement.
The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) is a non-profit voluntary conservation body established in 1995 that aims to further the conservation of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and other marine life through scientific investigation and educational activities.
On this site find out more about the many different species of
whales, dolphins and
seabirds that are seen from P&O
Ferries' Pride of Bilbao, as well as more about the work
of the BDRP research teams and Wildlife
Liaison Officer.
Contacts and details of group
merchandise are available and don't forget to check regularly for
the latest sightings.
Supporters of BDRP can find further information about Splash newsletter and the standing order supporter's scheme here: Supporter's Toolkit
Marinelife/Biscay Dolphin Research Programme has now set up a Blog so
we can share with you our sightings and trip reports in more detail. We
do hope you enjoy reading the blog. Our researchers and wildlife officers
will be posting entries from trips on all our different routes so please
do check back regularly for updates.
Please click on the Blog icon to be forwarded to the Marinelife/BDRP
blog.
P&O Trips
Please book your
trips for any of P&O Ferries' routes through our website where possible,
click this link for details.
The
premier ferry company for travel through the English Channel and Bay of
Biscay between England, France and Spain. Their continued support in our
partnership facilitates our research and educational programmes aboard
the Pride of Bilbao.
Any internet product that P&O Ferries sells through their website,
which includes minicruises, when booked through this link will earn
funding for our research.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Announcement: BDRP Whale & Dolphin Watching Theme Cruises for 2010 now available for booking.
Whale & Dolphin Watching Theme Cruises
We are delighted to announce that in association with P&O Ferries, BDRP will be running four special Whale and Dolphin theme cruises this year, sailing over four days from Portsmouth to Bilbao and back, through one of the best localities in the world for whale watching.
Prices are from £99, inclusive of cabin (based on 2 people sharing an inside ensuite 2 berth cabin) and the trips are running on the following dates:
* 9-12 July 2010
* 12-15 July 2010
* 16-19 September 2010
* 19-22 September 2010
For further information and all booking details, please click
here:
Details >>
Whale Watching
ANNOUNCEMENT: Announcement: BDRP Cetacean & Seabird Identification Workshops for 2010 now available for booking.
 |
Common Dolphin |
Biscay Dolphin Research Programme is delighted to announce the Cetacean & Seabird Identification Workshops for 2010 on the P&O cruiseferry ‘Pride of Bilbao’are now available for booking. Come and join some of the most experienced cetacean and seabird researchers in the UK for a fully interactive workshop where you will learn all the basic skills needed to observe and identify these fantastic animals at sea.
This workshop is ideal for anyone with a general interest in marine wildlife, students studying Marine Biology or similar subjects, people who want some firsthand experience of field work as well any prospective Marine Mammal Observers (MMO’s).
The 2010 workshop dates are: 3-6 June, 12-15 June, 18-21 June, 3-6 July, 13-16 Sept, 22-25 Sept and 25-28 Sept.
For further information and all booking details, please click here:
Details >>
Latest News and Sightings
28/02/10 - Announcement: Whale Watching Pages updated.
The Whale Watching pages have been updated with details on trips to the Azores, La Gomera, Madeira, Maldives and Sri Lanka this year and next. As well as trips to the Bay of Biscay including Whale & Dolphin Watching Theme Cruises and BDRP Cetacean & Seabird Identification Workshops as well as booking any minicruise with P&O from the UK to Europe. By booking trips through the links and contacts on our website you are supporting our important work.
01/02/10 - Trip Update: BDRP Biscay trips running as planned in summer 2010
Following P&O Ferries announcement of the Portsmouth-Bilbao route withdrawal at the end of September 2010, we would like to reassure all supporters and passengers that our Whale & Dolphin Theme Cruises and Cetacean & Seabird Identification Workshops will be running as planned. Places are going fast on the Workshops and we anticipate that these will be a complete sell-out. Theme Cruises are also now available for booking via P&O Ferries. Please click here: BISCAY TRIPS for more information on both these trips. We will also have a Wildlife Officer on every sailing until the ship stops running in late September.
For more information about the Bilbao service withdrawal please visit the P&O website at: P&O Press Release
16/02/10 - WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 12 - 15 February 2010 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP
Weather: Southbound NE4, Northbound NE4-2
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Beaked Whale
Sp. 3, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 50, Striped Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba 12, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops
truncatus 14, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2
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Common Dolphin |
16/02/10 - WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 8 - 11 February 2010 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP
Weather: Southbound NE6-4, Northbound NE3-1, NE8-9
Whale Sp. 1 (probable Beaked Sp.), Common Dolphin Delphinus
delphis 16, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 7,
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 4
16/02/10 - WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 5 - 8 February 2010 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP
Weather: Southbound W5, heavy swell, Northbound SE1-6
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4, Large Whale
Sp. 1 (dead), Small Whale Sp. breach 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus
delphis 52
16/02/10 - WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 1 - 4 February 2010 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP
Weather: Southbound W6-4, Northbound SE1-3
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 42, Striped Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba 3, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops
truncatus 23
Contact Information:
Telephone +44 (0)1202 827957
Email Clive Martin
Email Darren Fanner with questions or comments about this web site.
Registered Charity No. 1110884
Copyright of BDRP 2010