| April
6, 2004
MAYBE it is their obvious intelligence or their flair for acrobatics that gives porpoises, dolphins and whales the ability to capture our imagination.
Whatever the attraction, it's clear that cetaceans, as they are collectively called, have the ability to thrill when we spot them along the Welsh coast.
The Countryside Council for Wales has published a booklet on these animals to help people spot them and enjoy their playful acrobatics.
Four species are seen quite regularly around Wales - the harbor porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, the common dolphins and Risso dolphin. The orca and minke whale are slightly rarer visitors. But they are all at home in the waters between Wales and Ireland, taking advantage of the rich food supply of sand-eel, mackerel, squid, octopus and sea bass.
HARBOR PORPOISE
Sometimes called the "puffing pig," you can hear porpoises puffing from the shore, as they steal a breath at the surface of the sea. This is the smallest and by far the most common cetacean in Welsh waters.
Hot spots: Large congregations of harbor porpoises can be seen from the shore in the spring at Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire and Point Lynas on Anglesey. But they are usually seen individually or in groups of two or three, including a mother and calf pair.
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN
The most widely-recognized dolphin species in the world, this dolphin is famous for its playful, gregarious nature and acrobatic displays. Stand on the shore and you may be lucky enough to witness the dolphin hunting, exhibiting high-speed surface chases and performing acrobatic displays, with fish being thrown up into the air as they feed and play.
Hot spots: One of the best places to see them is along the west coast between Cardigan and the Dyfi estuary, especially between April and September.
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Center is on the seafront in New Quay, one of the most popular viewpoints. From there, boat operators offer marine wildlife tours.
Cardigan Bay is a marine Special Area of Conservation due to its importance throughout Europe as a home for this dolphin.
COMMON DOLPHIN
The common dolphin has a slender and elegant body, covered with very distinct patterns. This is the fastest swimmer of all the dolphins, reaching speeds of over 25mph. Their jumping and splashing can often be seen and heard at great distances.
Hot spots: More likely to be spotted from boats, although they can be seen from offshore islands like Bardsey and the Pembrokeshire islands, especially in the summer months.
RISSO DOLPHIN
One of the largest members of the dolphin family, reaching about 4m in length. The Risso has a square head, without a "beak". Adults are covered in scratches and scars, though why is unclear.
Hot spots: The waters around Bardsey Island seem to be a particularly good habitat for Rissos. They can also be seen off the Pembrokeshire coast, between September and February.
Emily Dicks, CCW's marine biodiversity liaison officer, said, "Welsh waters are a haven for these charismatic mammals. They are an important ingredient in making the Welsh coast special, attracting thousands of visitors every year and contributing nearly £600m to the local economy (Wales Tourist Board).
"We have a responsibility to protect dolphins and porpoises from a range of threats such as pollution and disturbance to sustain one aspect of the natural beauty of the Welsh coast for the pleasure of local communities and visitors alike."
It is an offence to recklessly or intentionally disturb cetaceans. If you see anyone harassing or recklessly disturbing them, please report it to the police.
There is a simple code to minimize disturbance to dolphins and porpoises, which includes the following advice:
Fast vessels should gradually slow down to less than six knots and continue on their intended route;
Let cetaceans approach you - never chase or touch them;
Take extra care to avoid dolphins with young.
The booklet, Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales in Welsh waters is available free of charge by contacting CCW's
webpage: http://www.ccw.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?Action=List?=en
and look under the Species Leaflet section. You can then order the booklet to be sent to your home.
New
Navy Testing could send Shock Wave to Dolphins and Whales
April 8, 2004
PASCAGOULA, MS
- Should the U.S. Navy choose to test the durability of one of its most
advanced assault ships in waters off Pascagoula, Mississippi, the most
likely unintended victim would be passing whales or dolphins.
Underwater sound waves from sonar operations and explosions have been
known to deafen or even kill marine mammals who are caught in their path,
said Kathy Wang, marine mammal team leader for the Southeast regional
office of NOAA Fisheries.
And while determining a safe distance is difficult, so far no such fatalities
have been attributed to the type of "shock trials" the Navy is proposing
to perform, Wang said.
NOAA Fisheries must sign off on the project before the Navy may proceed
with plans announced in a legal notice earlier in the week. A public hearing
is scheduled for April 22 at 6 p.m. at Le Maison in Gautier.
The Navy has proposed detonating no more than four 10,000-pound bombs
in waters near Pascagoula togauge the effects the blasts have on the new
684-foot LPD 17 San Antonio-class amphibious warships.
Other sites being considered for the testing are Jacksonville, Fla., and
Norfolk, Va.
The tests are a standard tool used before new fleets are commissioned
for service.
"I think they're conducted in a professional manner," said Wang, who has
overseen previous shock trials.
Stacey Byington, spokesperson for Naval Station Pascagoula, said although
she was unfamiliar with this specific proposal, the tests likely wouldn't
be held close to shore. Rather, they could be as far as 100 miles from
the Coast.
"All kinds of things come into play with these," Byington said. "They
don't decide to do this on the spur of the moment."
And when it comes to bottlenose dolphins or the federally designated endangered
sperm whales that frequent the Gulf of Mexico, the Navy will scan the
waters for miles before detonating the bombs, Wang said.
"They're not quite the bad guys people make them out to be," she said.
Bahamas Wild Dolphin Vacations
 |
2004 Schedule
• May 1 - May 7 Sold
Out
• May 8 - May 14
• May 15 - May 21
• May 22- May 28
• May 29- June 4 Sold Out
• June 5- June 11 Sold Out
• June 12- June 18
• June 19- June 25
• June 26- July 2 Sold Out
• July 3- July 9
• July 10- July 16
• July 17- July 23 Sold Out
Reserve Now! |
•
July 24- July 30 Sold Out
• July 31-August 6
• August 7- August 13 Sold Out
• August 14- Aug 20 Sold Out
• August 21- August 27 Sold Out
• August 28-September 3
• September 4- Sept 10
• September 11- Sept 17
• October 23- Oct 29
• October 30- November 5
Reserve Now! |
Get
a FREE Dolphin Photo
Place this
link on your personal or business website to receive a Dolphin Photo FREE.
| Dolphin
World - Your complete Swim with Dolphin website, Dolphin Swim
vacations, Dolphin retail store, Dolphin give away contest and much
more. |
Get A FREE 8"X10"
Dolphin Photo
Place this Dolphin
World link on your personal or business web site and we will you send
you ONE (1) 8"X10" Glossy Print Photo of Dolphins, a $10.95
value FREE to you. You must submit via email, info@dolphinworld.org
your name, address and where you placed the link.
Link Placement Instructions
To add a link to your site, click
here for more information. Thank you for placing one of Dolphin World's
link on your website!!
// TOP \\
TropicalAdventure.com
Dolphins and
Glass Bottom Boat, what a combination! 
When you think of Key West you probably don’t think of glass bottom
boats. You may think, instead, of beautiful sunsets, a fun and lively
environment, and Jimmy Buffet. Now, it’s all changed, with Froggies
glass bottom boat. Froggies purpose when it sets sail is explore the
depths of the sea through the glass bottom hull, with great sightseeing, a
relaxing atmosphere, and to ultimately find a pod of bottlenose dolphins.
To find out more about this story, please read this article on TropicalAdventure.com.
If you are outdoor lover, this would be a great trip for you. Please
Click Here to Read More!!
Win FREE Dolphin Swims
Plus Snorkel Trip, Sunset Cruise Plus More From TropicalAdventure.com!
Click
here to enter
See if you are the WINNER of last month!
Click
Here
// TOP
\\
The Dolphin Web Cam by DuPonce
Click Here during
the day to see some incredible LIVE
Dolphin images (Go!)
|
FREE
Dolphin World Calendar
|
