About the dolphins
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© WDCS/Charlie Phillips.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) is urging people to help save the unique and threatened Moray Firth Dolphins.
The Moray Firth, in North East Scotland is home to around 130 bottlenose dolphins. These dolphins are special because they form the only surviving population of the kind in the North sea and one of only two protected resident dolphin populations around the UK. Having such a small population they are extremely vulnerable.
Threats to the Dolphins
Oil and Gas Exploration: The greatest threat to the dolphins (along with other marine life) comes from oil and gas exploration in the area. The area has been associated with this activity for many years and the main concerns regards the amount of noise and pollution associated with it, including the use of explosives and seismic surveying.
Fishing: Of particular concern is illegal salmon netting. Dolphins along with Whales and other marine life can become entangled in the nets which ultimately lead to their deaths. The extent of the illegal salmon fishing is not known.
Recreational Boaters: Whether maliciously or unintentionally recreational boaters can cause distress to the dolphins if they are careless or get too close.
Marine Litter: Discarded litter kills thousands of animals worldwide each year. The WDCS claim that this is one of the least recognised but large scale threats to cetaceans. In recent years both whales and a bottlenose dolphin have been killed by marine litter.
Coastal Developments: Outline planning permission has been granted for the residential and leisure development at Whiteness Head, Ardersier. The proposed 500 berth marina will undoubtedly increase boat traffic in a very small area. Not only does this increase in traffic increase the potential for dolphins to be struck by the boats but it will also increase the level of underwater noise. The developers now need to apply for detailed planning permission before the development goes ahead.
There is also the threat of climate change on the dolphins, the consequences of which are not known.
How you can help
If you go to the Moray Firth to see the dolphins think about how you can do this and cause the minimum disruption to the animals. Watching them from land is the best way to do this as it causes no disruption to them. There are also numerous boat trips but if you do choose to go out on a boat be carefully to select one that complies with the Dolphin Space Program. Make sure to familiarise yourself with the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code.
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© WDCS/Charlie Phillips.
Take part in a beach clean. At the Moray Firth this will directly help the Moray Firth dolphins but regular beach cleans are held along all of our coastline and you will be helping marine animals and birds as well as making the environment better for people to enjoy too. The WDCS, the Marine Conservation Society, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and local Wildlife Trusts organise beach clean events and always welcome an extra pair of hands.
Write to your MP asking for help, the WDSC website has a list of important points to mention, to see these and to find our how to contact your MP please click here.
You can also donate money to the WDCS to help with the ongoing research into the dolphins or you can sponsor a dolphin.
In helping the Moray Firth Dolphins you will also be protecting many other mammals and fish including other dolphin and whale species, otters, basking sharks along with a rich variety of bird life.