A Whale of a Time in the Channel on September 15

On a return crossing from Biscay through the Channel September 15, 2008, passengers and researchers were beside themselves with excitement when a Humpback Whale was spotted near the Channel Islands. Humpback Whales are amongst the most familiar to people and yet this sighting in such a busy shipping area is unprecedented, considering how rarely they are observed in the eastern Atlantic.

Humpback Whales are known to be highly migratory, traveling between breeding and feeding grounds annually. They are found throughout the world's oceans, but numbers were decimated by whaling. Whilst the whales seem to be making a recovery in certain areas, sightings remain few and far between around the UK and mainland Europe. Sporadic sightings are reported annually in the Irish Sea, the North Sea and the waters off western Scotland, but there has not been a report of a Humpback Whale in the Channel in recent history.

The whale was initially detected as it created splashes on the surface by members of the Spanish research organization AMBAR. This species is known to be quite acrobatic often engaging in breaching - where the animal leaps clear of the water or crashing its massive tail and large pectoral fins on the waters surface. This particular whale was engaging in such behaviour and was photographed. Biscay Dolphin Research Program (BDRP) on board Wildlife Officer John Arnott, was able to confirm the sighting as a Humpback Whale.

John Arnott commented: "The photographs clearly showed the distinctive dorsal hump characteristic of this species. Many passengers were delighted, having witnessed the blows and splashes from their vantage point on deck 11 of the ship."

BDRP Chairman Clive Martin said: "Our first thought was for the whale's safety and we have alerted the coastguard to its presence and exact location. Being such a busy shipping area, the whale is at risk of ship strike and it is important that vessels are aware and therefore able to take extra care in this area".

It is likely that the whale is undertaking its annual migration from Northerly feeding grounds to warmer equatorial waters and has entered the Channel en-route. It may have been following its fish prey or could have become confused and entered the Channel through the Western Approaches by accident.

BDRP will continue to monitor the Channel for further sightings of the whale, keeping the coast guard informed of its movements.

_____
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Beaked Whale Research off the Coast of Spain

24/7 - A group of Europe's leading marine conservation and research organizations joined forces to carry out crucial research into some of the rarest and most elusive marine animals on the planet - beaked whales. The research program, called "Diver 2008", after these animals' deep diving ability, ran during July 2008 off the northern coast of Spain, within the Bay of Biscay - an area with a number of deep water canyons which is renowned for sightings of these mysterious marine mammals.

The research was important and timely because beaked whales are known to be very sensitive to certain sub-sea noise and there have been numerous cases of mass strandings of these animals which have been linked to concurrent use of military sonar.

Dr Kelly Macleod, Project Coordinator of the Diver surveys and Chairperson of the charity ORCA (Organisation Cetacea), commented: "The team worked extremely well together during the research and had a number of opportunities to investigate these rare whales at close quarters. This has provided the opportunity to really correlate sightings of the whales with underwater features and will help map their preferred habitat".

This was a highly successful trip. During the study program, the research team recorded 120 sightings of whale and dolphins, including nine definite Cuvier's Beaked Whales, seven of which were photographed for future identification purposes. Other species seen included a pod of 13 Sperm Whales, globally endangered Fin Whales, many dolphins and another rarely seen beaked whale species - the Sowerby's Beaked Whale.

Jos Antonio Vázquez Bonales, Sightings Coordinator for AMBAR, said "We were able to take a number of high quality photo-identification images of the whales we encountered which will form part of a catalogue. The distinctive patterns of scratches and marks on the fins and bodies of these whales make each photograph like a fingerprint for that particular animal and will aid identification of the same animals should they be sighted again".

Analysis of the data is still proceeding and a full report will be generated later in the year. However, the top line results demonstrate the success of the project, providing a robust foundation to help underpin future conservation measures for these vulnerable animals.

Dr Tom Brereton, Marinelife Research Director, commented "Through the Diver 2008 project, we have made an important step forward in identifying the range and movements of Cuvier's Beaked Whales. This data is vital if we are to devise effective conservation strategies for these fascinating deep water animals."

The data collected through Diver 2008 will add to the knowledge base on beaked whales developed by Ambar, Marinelife and ORCA which is obtained through surveys on commercial ferries in the region. All three groups share this data and collaborate with other ferry researchers, through the Atlantic Research Coalition (ARC).

______
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia
Arts Across Georgia