BRDP

17th August 2005

Press Release

11 Species Of Whale & Dolphin Seen On A 3 Day Theme Cruise In Bay Of Biscay

The 3 day July whale and dolphin theme cruise in the Bay of Biscay produced sightings of 11 different species of whales, dolphins and porpoises – an impressive record for anywhere in the World.

The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) is at the forefront of scientific research into cetaceans (the collective term for whales and dolphins) in the Eastern European Atlantic and as part of its education role, the charitable organisation also operates a selected number of eco-tourism trips each year.

Members of the highly experienced BDRP research team lead a small number of whale and dolphin theme cruises in the Bay of Biscay from the P&O Cruise Ferry, The Pride of Bilbao. This year, the first of these trips was from the 7 – 10th July.

Dr Tom Brereton, BDRP Director and Principle Scientific Officer said:

“Our research has repeatedly demonstrated the richness and diversity of marine life within the Bay of Biscay. The theme cruises we operate with P&O Ferries give us the chance to share some of the experiences we have on a regular basis as a research organisation and provide an education role about whales and dolphins and the importance of Biscay for the passengers.”

Clive Martin, BDRP Director and Senior Wildlife Officer said of 2004:

“The theme cruises in 2004 were very successful with the highlight being the delight on peoples faces as we encountered the largest animal on the planet – the Blue Whale, a creature that can grow to over 30 meters in length!”

The July 2005 theme cruise did not disappoint with some of the highlights for the passengers being pods of very acrobatic Common and Striped Dolphin coming into the ship to bow ride and 2 very close encounters with 20+ meter Fin Whale, the second largest animal on the planet! For the research team, the highlight had to be the very close encounters with 4 Sowerby’s Beaked Whales, a species rarely seen and little studied due to its deep diving behaviour. Biscay offers one of the few places in the World to get close encounters with elusive Beaked Whales.

A total of 11 different cetacean species were observed over the 3 day cruise and included Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae), Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas), Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris), Sowerby’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bidens), Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), a Turtle and Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) were also encountered during the theme cruise.
It would be rare anywhere in the World to encounter so many different species within such a short period of time and passengers commented that they could not believe that so many whales and dolphins could be seen so close to our shores - many had great memories and photos to take away.

A further BDRP whale and dolphin theme cruise in Biscay is scheduled for the 17th – 21st September 2005.

BDRP has also been working for a number of years with experts in the field of whale and dolphin research from other parts of the World and has recently expanded its eco-tourism offers to include:

Maldives – working with Dr Charles Anderson
Seychelles – working with Dr Charles Anderson
South Africa – working with Mark Carwardine
Baja California – working with Mark Carwardine

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, which has been conducting dedicated research into the behaviour and distribution of whales and dolphins, collectively known as cetaceans, in the Bay of Biscay for over 10 years. From the P&O Cruise Ferry, the Pride of Bilbao, The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) has gathered a great deal of data on the distribution and abundance of whales & dolphins (collectively known as cetaceans) in the European Atlantic.

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 gives 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.biscay-dolphin.org.uk or by telephoning 08705 980333. Information on eco-tourism with BDRP can be found at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk

4. All images used in this article are Copyright. Further photographs can be obtained from 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.

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