mistreat aside , Miami . In a rare bite of optimistic conservation newsworthiness , Scotland is check record numbers of dolphin .
From May to October 2016,2,303 common dolphins , 42 bottlenose dolphin , and 94 Risso ’s dolphins were make out by theHebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust . Those numbers blow away the average annual sightings over the past 14 year , which were just 463 , 14 , and 12 severally .
The study was conducted off Scotland ’s west coast using teams of scientists and volunteers on card the racing yacht Silurian , which was previously used to film the BBC’sThe Blue Planetseries . In 2016 alone , this specialized research yacht rack up 9,260 kilometers ( 5,000 nautical mile ) of travel across the winding coastline of Scotland .
“ The impressive range of specie document in our at - ocean surveys last yr is a brawny monitor that Scotland ’s west coast ocean environs is dwelling to noteworthy maritime animation , ” Alison Lomax , music director of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust , say in astatement . “Long - term scientific studies of this globally - of import habitat and its inhabitants are crucial if we are to ensure a safe future for the Hebrides ’ prominent cetaceans . ”
While no doubt positivist news , experts do n’t yet know the reason behind this cetaceous boom . Scotland might not be known for dolphins , but their body of water are known to hold at least 24 of the world ’s estimated 92 cetacean species . Like many maritime surroundings around the globe , it ’s also succumbing to the pressures of human activity , such as climate change , pollution , noise , and end of habitat .
“ The reasons for the mellow number of sightings of these charismatic dolphin specie – and the broader effects on the maritime environment and other mintage – stay unclear , ” added Dr Lauren Hartny - Mills , skill officer of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust . “ But the intriguing finding highlight the importance of on - going monitoring and research – to strengthen our agreement of what is hold place in Hebridean H2O , and to see well - informed preservation activity . ”
