BRDP

9th October 2005

Press Release

Whale & Dolphin Calves In The Bay Of Biscay

The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) has recorded an increasing number of whale & dolphin calves and juveniles in the Bay of Biscay and English Channel during the spring and summer months, confirming the importance of the area as a calving ground and an area probably used by many species during the post-natal period.

Clive Martin, BDRP Director and Senior Wildlife Officer said:

“In May we started to record calves amongst the Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) pods which are often encountered bow riding the Pride of Bilbao, we have also encountered Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) calves in the English Channel. A number of Fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) calves and juveniles have also been encountered during May and June.”

The calves can easy be distinguished from adults by their smaller size (less than half that of adult) and their close association with an adult, presumably their mother.

Dr Tom Brereton, BDRP Scientific Officer said:

“From the unique BDRP Biscay sightings database which spans the last 10 years, calves from a number of cetacean species start to be seen regularly in June and July. Encounters continue during the summer months when calves of Common (Delphinus delphis), Striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus), Pilot Whales (Globicephala melas) and Cuvier’s Beaked Whales (Ziphius cavirostris) are seen.”

Clive Martin and Matt Hobbs also from BDRP, who was leading a Company of Whales tour, witnessed an incredible sighting of Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) on a July crossing of Biscay. Over 3,500 dolphins were seen during the passage south with a single pod in excess of 1,000 individuals, with more than 50 juveniles and calves – this clearly demonstrates the importance of the area for this species.

The Bay of Biscay may be a calving ground for several species of cetacean and is probably used by many of these species during the post-natal period. The northern Biscay-Celtic shelf-break in particular provides an abundant source of food for animals during the summer and autumn period due to highly elevated marine productivity. This productivity is driven by internal tidal waves mainly
caused by the interaction of surface tides with steep and complex sea-bed topography. For Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and other species, this super-abundance of food provides the ideal conditions to feed extra mouths.

With many cetaceans under threat from over fishing, by-catch and habitat destruction in many parts of the World, habitats such as Biscay which provide important feeding areas for a wide range of cetacean species and for mothers with calves are critically important and need to be protected.

Evidence from the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme’s extensive database of cetacean sightings in the European Atlantic and it’s continuing research, together with it’s close links with members of the Atlantic Research Coalition (ARC), indicate that the Bay of Biscay is of high significance in European terms for a number of threatened species, including the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Yet the slope and canyon waters of Biscay, which are favoured by cetaceans, do not currently have specific protection as a habitat.

For further information on the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) please contact Adrian Shephard, Public Relations & Publicity Officer at adrian.shephard@biscay-dolphin.org.uk or visit the website at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk

Notes for editors:

1. The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) is a charitable scientific organisation (Registered Charity Number: 1110884), which has been conducting dedicated research into the behaviour and distribution and abundance of whales and dolphins, collectively known as cetaceans, in the European Atlantic for over 10 years. This unique year round database has demonstrated the importance of this area as a feeding and breeding ground for many different species with more than a quarter of all cetacean species being recorded in the area.

The BDRP is supported by a team of volunteer researchers and provides Wildlife Officers on every crossing of the Bay of Biscay on the Pride of Bilbao. The Wildlife Officers record sightings and give presentations on marine wildlife for the thousands of passengers who travel the Bay with P&O each year.
The research and education roles of BDRP assist in the conservation of these sea mammals. The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) has

2. Further details about the research of the BDRP can be found at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk. The Directors of BDRP are Dr Tom Brereton, Chief Scientific Officer and Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer.

3. Further information on P&O mini-cruises across the Bay of Biscay aboard the Pride of Bilbao can be found at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk or by telephoning 08705 980333.

4. All images used in this article are Copyright. Further images can be obtained by contacting Adrian Shephard at adrian.shephard@biscay-dolphin.org.uk

5. The Bay of Biscay is a area of variable sea depths, ranging from shallow coastal waters (less than 100 meters) to the very deep abyssal plain (>4000 meters), with many underwater features such as deep sea canyons and a steep continental slope. The prevailing winds and sea currents make the waters along the slope very productive and attractive to marine life, including cetaceans.

6. Information on the protection afforded to cetacean in Europe can be found at the following website: CITES is the Convention International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora, further details can be found at www.cites.org. ASCOBANS is the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic and North Seas, further information can be found at www.ascobans.org. The Bonn convention (82/461/EEC) covers the conservation of migratory species, further information can be found at http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l28051.htm. The Bern Convention (82/72/EEC) covers the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats by means of cooperation between states, further information can be found at http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l28050.htm. Further information on the EC habitats directive (92/43/EEC) can be found at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/nature_conservation
/eu_nature_legislation/habitats_directive/index_en.htm. OSPAR is the commission for the protection of the marine environment of the north east Atlantic, further information can be found at http://www.ospar.org/eng/html/welcome.html

7. The Atlantic Research Coalition is comprised of The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP), Sociedad para el Estudio y la Conservacion del la Fauna Marina (AMBAR) http://www.ambar-euskadi.com/, Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDG) http://www.iwdg.ie/, Plymouth - Santander Marine Survey, Sea Trust http://www.seatrust.org.uk/. Further details can be found at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk

8. Information on the Company of Whales can be found at www.companyofwhales.co.uk

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