BRDP

12th July 2006

Press Release

Dead Whale Seen Floating in the English Channel

Whilst undertaking an ecotourism whale and dolphin theme cruise, the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme encountered a large dead whale, close to the shipping lanes in the English Channel.

Although further investigation is needed, the animal was reported to be a Sperm Whale, the largest toothed whale species on the planet, known to grow to 20 metres in length, possessing the largest brain in the animal kingdom and diving to incredible depths in search of their prey, giant squid species. Melville’s fictional whale Moby Dick was a Sperm Whale.

The reason for the animal’s demise was unclear, but whatever the reason, the whale had most likely been carried into the Channel from the Atlantic by the action of strong tides, where it could pose a threat to shipping and may need to be sunk or brought ashore. Stranding records for Sperm Whale do occur annually, but these are normally in Scotland and along the North Sea East coast of England, if it is a dead Sperm Whale, its presence in the English Channel, would be a rare occurrence.

During the preceding 2 days of the ecotourism cruise, the BDRP team had already encountered 13 Sperm Whale, primarily in their natural deep water habitat in a water depth in excess of 3000 metres. A further 11 species of whales and dolphin were also encountered in the productive waters of the Bay of Biscay and English Channel.

Tom Brereton, chief scientific officer for BDRP commented:

“Sperm Whale are known to dive to well over 3000 metres in depth and are often encountered in Biscay at depths in excess of 4000 metres. These mammals will dive on average for 45 minutes to an hour, then, on surfacing, they will remain almost motionless for 5 – 10 minutes whilst they re-oxygenate prior to the next dive. Seeing these whales as they raise their tail flukes and dive is an amazing sight.”

Like all large whale species, Sperm Whale numbers were drastically depleted as a result of whaling and still face threats today, including ship strike, entanglement in fishing nets, pollution and damage from high frequency sonar.

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

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Notes for editors:

1. The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) is a major project under the registered charity Marinelife (Registered Charity Number: 1110884), which researches the behaviour, distribution and abundance of whales and dolphins, and of other marine life in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.
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.

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.poferries.com or by telephoning 08705 980333.

4. All images used in this article are Copyright. Further images are available from adrian.shephard@biscay-dolphin.org.uk

5. 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.
ACCOBAMS is the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous area, further information can be found at www.accobams.org.

6. Further information on UK cetacean strandings can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/resprog/findings/cetacean05/cetstrand0005-sect2.pdf

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