In August, ORCA surveys have been conducted on the following routes:
A total of 16 ferry surveys were conducted on the following routes: Dover-Calais, Newhaven-Dieppe, Newcastle-Amsterdam, Aberdeen-Lerwick, Penzance-St Mary's, Plymouth-Roscoff, Plymouth-Santander, Portsmouth-Santander, Poole-Cherbourg, Portsmouth-Caen, Oban-Castlebay, Oban-Colonsay, Mallaig-Lochboisdale, Ullapool-Stornoway, Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert.
We also had a Saga cruise survey team depart from Dover on the Spirit of Adventure for the British Isles in Summer cruise.
Amount of effort conducted:
In August, our Marine Mammal Surveyors conducted 4,392 kilometres of effort of effort across ferry surveys and Saga cruise surveys.
Number of individual animals and species recorded:
An amazing 1,091 individual animals were recorded during ORCA surveys in August, from 13 different marine species. These species were: harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, Risso's dolphin, striped dolphin, white-beaked dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, fin whale, minke whale, grey seal, basking shark, tuna and ocean sunfish.
This months survey teams:
Survey highlights:
This month, the second trial survey on a brand new ferry survey route took place from Portsmouth to Santander. The team set sail from Portsmouth on Monday 18th August and spent three nights at sea, surveying through the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. The team recorded 281 animals, from seven different species during their surveys. Highlights included a pod of over 20 striped dolphins and lots activity around the northern coast of France!
Saga cruise surveys:
In August, our team of Marine Mammal Surveyors on board the Saga Spirit of Adventure set sail for a fantastic trip around the British Isles. The team were thrilled to record over 100 common dolphins during their surveys, as well as bottlenose dolphins, 17 harbour porpoise and five minke whales.
