Conservation group Marinelife has announced details of an agreement to extend its monitoring of whales and dolphins in the English Channel. Working with Brittany Ferries on the company’s Plymouth to Roscoff route, Marinelife will develop its cetacean research in the area on a monthly basis. It is hoped that the work will help to identify whale and dolphin hotspots and migration patterns.
“We are excited about the new survey, as it will enable us to better monitor the changing status of whales and dolphins in the region,” said Dr Tom Brereton, Marinelife Research Director. “We hope that the new data will play an increasingly important role in helping to conserve these beautiful and charismatic animals, so beloved by the general public.”
Marinelife has monitored whales and dolphins in the region for the last 12 years, revealing the importance of the area for the species. Bottlenose dolphins, Harbour porpoise and Minke whales are among the species present in the Channel, while Common dolphins, Pilot whales and Basking sharks have been sighted.
ABP/TP