BRDP

From June 2006, Marinelife has extended its whale and dolphin monitoring in the English Channel with the support of Brittany Ferries on their Plymouth (UK) to Roscoff (France) route.

Marinelife, has been monitoring whales and dolphins in the English Channel from Portsmouth since 1995. These surveys have confirmed that the Western English Channel, although an incredibly busy area for shipping and fishing remains an important area for whales and dolphins. Minke Whales have returned to the waters in recent years, and other species present include the endangered Bottlenose Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise, both protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Check the latest sightings...

Other species have also been seen in these waters, but little is known about whether these sightings are unusual or within their natural range. Sightings include Common Dolphin, Pilot Whale and Risso’s Dolphin, together with Basking Sharks which are often seen off Plymouth during the spring and summer months.

Marinelife runs its whale and dolphin research trips from Brittany Ferries on a monthly basis and records the distribution, abundance and types of whales, dolphins, other marine life and birds present in these UK waters. This data can then be used to identify whale and dolphin hotspots, seasonal and annual movements and threats to the marine life including fishing by-catch, which accounts for a large proportion of the dead Common Dolphin washed up annually on the West Country coast, especially during the winter months.

Contact Information:

Telephone +44 (0)1202 827957
Email Clive Martin
Email Darren Fanner with questions or comments about this web site.