WHALE SIGHTINGS INCREASE IN WELSH WATERS

02/11/2007 00:00:00 Marine scientists are keeping a close watch on the Welsh coast after recent sightings of two whale species in unexpected locations.

A research team from the Sea Watch Foundation, a marine conservation charity, has recorded a pair of humpback whales while surveying common dolphins near Pembrokeshire in the first week of June. Shortly afterwards another sighting of a humpback was reported from Strumble Head.

In the same week, Sea Watch recorded a minke whale just 200 metres from land near Llangrannog in Cardigan Bay, off the west coast of Wales. Both species are more commonly seen in Atlantic waters to the west of Ireland and in northern Scotland, with a few sightings mainly in the central part of the Irish Sea. The two humpback whales, which were between 12 and 15m long, were sighted in the middle of the Celtic Deep, between Pembrokeshire and Ireland. One of them repeatedly surfaced close to the boat for about 40 minutes and appeared to take an interest in it.

A group of common dolphins, bow-riding the boat at the time of the sighting, went over to one of the whales and seemed to play with it, leaping and racing around the animal, which rolled over onto its back, apparently reacting positively to the dolphins and joining in their play. Dr Peter Evans, Sea Watch’s Scientific Director, said: “Humpback sightings are always unusual in British waters. In a typical year, no more than 12 of them are recorded, although the numbers have increased steadily since the late 1980s. This could be because fishing restrictiions have led to higher stocks of herring and mackerel – two important food sources for them.”

He added: “The recent warm sunny weather has also probably been good for plankton, due to the long hours of daylight and high surface temperatures.”

The minke whale in Cardigan Bay was seen on June 8 by the Sea Watch team and scientists from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). Hanna Nuuttila, Sea Watch’s sightings officer said “Minke whales are really uncommon in Cardigan Bay. It was so close that it could have been seen by anybody who happened to be walking along the coastal path at the time. The animal was just under five metres long and was a juvenile, as adults grow to around 8.5 metres.”

Another surprise sighting by Sea Watch observers came two days after seeing the humpbacks, when they recorded the first bottlenose dolphin calf of the summer, near Aberporth in Cardigan Bay.

Bottlenose dolphins give birth to single calves every four to six years, following a 12-month gestation period. The calves are suckled for around 19 months.

Sea Watch’s annual National Whale and Dolphin Watch takes place from August 12-20 when members of the public are urged to get involved by sending in their sightings of dolphins, whales and porpoises from around the UK. People can also join in by taking part in organised watches and local events around the coast of Britain – see www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk for details.

Data gathered during the Watch is used by Sea Watch for its research into British marine mammals and how they are affected by rising sea temperatures, commercial fishing and pollution.