Featured Image Credit: R. Pickering via HWDT
By Kira Krall
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust recorded the highest numbers of dolphins along Scotland’s West coast that the Trust has ever seen. From May to October of 2016, the Trust’s long-term citizen science monitoring program counted over 2,400 dolphins: 2,303 common, 94 Risso’s, and 42 bottlenose. The common dolphin count smashes the previous record of 1,862 individuals.
Events like these are exactly why this type of monitoring is crucial. This data can be compared to other marine data in the area to find links in the local system. It can also be shared globally to answer questions about marine happenings in other parts of the world.
There are a couple of theories that attempt to explain the massive spike in cetacean numbers. The west coast of Scotland hosts cold, nutrient rich waters. These seasonal cycles draw animals from all over the Atlantic Ocean to feed there. Warmer ocean temperatures could mean that more and more cetaceans are being forced to these areas for food. Poor water quality and prey availability in other parts of the Atlantic Ocean could also be responsible.
Either way, these animals are an environmental indicator. If they are doing well, that means that there are enough resources to go around to sustain large populations. However we cannot assume it is a good sign until we consider the many variables that influence the dynamic system that is our ocean.