ID scheme for UK's dolphins

How you can help

May 2010: A leading marine research charity is asking for the public's help in tracking Britain's dolphin population.
Sea Watch wants people to send in any photos of dolphins and whales that show details of nicks and markings on fins. These pictures - and the details of where and when they were taken - can then be compared to others held on national databases.

WALES'S DOLPHINS: Earlier this year, Sea Watch saw one of Cardigan Bay's Bottlenose dolphins – Spot – with her first calf, thought to have been born late last autumn.

"This is a very exciting project for us and we want to encourage as many people as possible to send us their photos. The more we receive, the more we should be able to uncover about dolphin movement patterns, habits and behaviour," explains Dr Peter Evans, Sea Watch research director.

Enabling Britain's dolphins, whales and porpoises to thrive

"We are already aware of some of the movements of certain groups. For example, known bottlenose dolphins on the west coast of Scotland have been spotted off the Irish and Cornish coasts. Scottish east coast bottlenose dolphins were photo-identified near Whitby last year, which is further south than has been recorded before. However, we have no evidence yet that the Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphins in Wales ever go to the Irish coast or out of the Irish Sea or whether the Irish dolphins ever leave their coastal waters to come to Wales.

"Photographing fins of other species will also help provide an insight into their movements. Individuals are recognised from nicks in their fin or unique markings on their back or flanks, as is the case for orca and minke whale, or particular patterns of markings on the underside of their tail flukes as in humpback whales.

"By analysing movements more through this ID project, we can learn a lot from the dolphins, whales and porpoises around

PERFECT SHOT: This photograph clearly shows the nicks and marks on this Bottlenose dolphin dorsal in, enabling researchers to match it to known individual on their ID catalogue.

the UK - about the way they live, where they range to, and the challenges they are likely to face during their journeys.
"We need to understand more about them to shape conservation policies and so enable them to thrive in UK waters."

Sea Watch is organising the ID photo campaign as part of its annual National Whale and Dolphin Watch. Sponsored by BG Group, this year's watch will run from 7 to 15 August and Sea Watch volunteers will be co-ordinating a series of events nationwide.

The charity welcomes pictures of fins of dolphins, whales or porpoises at any time during the year, but particularly during the watch period.

Sea Watch wants people to send in any photos of dolphins and whales that show details of nicks and markings on fins to photo@seawatchfoundation.org.uk.

Do not disturb

Since dolphins and whales are protected species, there are strict regulations preventing boats from intentionally disturbing them by sailing too close or from following them, and Sea Watch is emphasising that pictures should be from opportunistic encounters - either when dolphins are bow riding or when they approach a boat. Full details of the Marine Code of Conduct are available on the charity's website www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

Sea Watch is also encouraging people to adopt a dolphin through its Adoption Scheme. Details about the scheme can be found at www.adoptadolphin.org.uk.