Latest news with #WhaleandDolphinConservation
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Call for paddleboarders to act ‘responsibly' around marine mammals
The study, which covered the Clyde, Forth and Tay, Moray Firth, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands areas, documented hundreds of interactions between vessels and marine mammals, many of which occurred in sensitive or protected areas. Dr Emily Hague, from Heriot-Watt University, explained that a third of all observed disturbances were caused by 'non-motorised craft like kayaks, paddleboards and rowboats'. She explained: 'In one case, seals resting on a beach became visibly agitated as kayaks passed by, beginning to move around and then many left the haul-out site and slid into the water, a clear disruption of their resting behaviour. 'Signs of stress aren't always dramatic or obvious; it can be more subtle, such as a change in breathing rate, swimming direction or their diving behaviour.' A paddleboarder heads for the sea during the morning sunshine (Image: Gareth Fuller) Another third of the disturbances were caused by small motorboats, with the researchers saying that in one case they saw a speedboat 'repeatedly pursue' bottlenose dolphins, which changed direction and lengthened their dives, regrouping only after the boat left. The scientists added that many small motorboats do not carry automatic identification system tracking, meaning their presence and behaviour are 'effectively invisible' to regulators and conservation authorities. Disturbances caused by kayaks and paddleboards were recorded in the Clyde, Forth and Tay and Moray Firth areas, while powered vessel disturbances, including those from speedboats and RIBs (rigid inflatable boats), occurred in all five areas. Dr Hague explained that the land-based sightings were 'opportunistic', reflecting 'what happened to be observed, not necessarily how often disturbances occur'. She added: 'Just because no incidents involving kayaks were recorded in Orkney or Shetland doesn't mean they don't happen.' READ MORE: The scientist appealed to all water users to follow the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code in order to minimise their impact on marine mammals. 'The truth is that all of Scotland's coastline is important habitat for marine mammals,' she said. 'Whether you're paddling off the coast of Fife or sailing around Skye, you're likely sharing the water with sensitive species. 'We want people to enjoy Scotland's waters, but to do so responsibly by keeping up to date on how best to respond should you spot marine wildlife. 'Kayakers, paddleboarders, surfers, recreational boaters and everyone else in the water should follow the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code, which offers clear advice on how to minimise your impact on marine mammals. 'With a little more awareness and a few small changes, we can all help ensure that sharing the sea doesn't come at a cost to the animals that call it home.' A third of marine mammal disturbances observed in a study were found to be caused by unmotorised craft (Image: PA) The research, which was conducted with the support of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, forms part of the Scottish Vessel Project, led by Heriot-Watt University. The project aims to capture marine vessel data around Scotland's coastline to better understand the amount of exposure to boats that whales, dolphins and seals experience at different locations.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Glassy seas' reveal largest animal on Earth off the CA coast. See ‘real prize'
Boaters off the coast of California got the chance to see the biggest animal on Earth and the group is calling it a 'once in a lifetime' moment. On June 16, the group set out on the 'misty (P)acific with limited visibility' but with 'all the hope in the world' before eventually coming across a baby humpback whale along with some dolphin friends, according to a Facebook post by San Diego Whale Watch. Later, the skies cleared up, creating 'glassy seas' that revealed a pod of 'curious' bottlenose dolphins that would 'zoom up to the bow swimming with their bellies pointed at the boat,' the group said. Then the showstoppers decided to make an appearance – a mama blue whale, the biggest animal on Earth, and her calf, bystanders said. The group even got the chance to see the 'breathtaking' 25-foot span of the tail in the 'rare' sighting, onlookers said. A baby blue whale is the 'world's biggest' baby, being born at 23 feet and weighing in at 6,000 pounds, the group said. They'll gain 10 pounds per hour by drinking their mama's milk. Blue whales can weigh up to 330,000 pounds and grow to 110 feet long, making their length about the same as the height of a 10-story building, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They can live up to 90 years, though there was one that famously lived to be 110 years old, according to the nonprofit Whale and Dolphin Conservation. The group said 'blue whales are super rare and never a sure thing' even to the point where 'not too long ago' researchers thought they could be extinct, which made for this sighting to be a 'real prize,' the post said.
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Massive sea creature spotted off the coast of California. See the ‘gentle giant'
A massive sea creature was spotted off the coast of California, leaving onlookers 'excited.' On June 8, a group of boaters got the chance to encounter a blue whale — on World Oceans Day of all days, according to a Facebook post by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch. The encounter started when crew members spotted a 'larger spout and saw a glimpse of its back,' the company said. They weren't sure if it was a humpback whale, but after seeing its body was more gray and blue, it was determined to be a blue whale, the group said. Blue whales can weigh up to 330,000 pounds and grow to 110 feet long, making their length about the same as the height of a 10-story building, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They can live up to 90 years, though there was one that famously lived to be 110 years old, according to the nonprofit Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Although the group anticipates more sightings of these 'gentle giants' /going forward this season, their activity depends on how much krill is in the water, the group said. Blue whales are typically seen feeding in Monterey Bay between June and October, according to the whale watchers. Monterey is about a 120-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.
STV News
10-06-2025
- General
- STV News
Warning after boats filmed getting 'too close' to orcas at beauty spot
A warning has been issued after footage was shared of boats getting 'too close' to orcas after they were spotted in the Moray Firth. Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) say they were delighted to see orcas along the Moray coast on Friday, with images and videos shared widely on social media. The charity believes the animals may have been hunting for seals as they travelled east. However, conservationists were 'disappointed' that footage emerged showing boats getting too close, staying too long, and not allowing the orcas to travel freely back out to open water. They say it is a criminal offence to disturb whales and dolphins. Alison Rose, manager of the Scottish Dolphin Centre, which WDC runs, said: 'Staff and volunteers based at the Scottish Dolphin Centre were delighted to see the orca along the Moray coast on Friday evening. 'Many people were thrilled to watch this amazing group of individuals who may well have been hunting for seals as they travelled east. 'However, we were disappointed to see footage circulating online of boats getting too close to the orca, staying too long, and not allowing them to travel freely back out to open water. 'This footage has been shared with Police Scotland, as it is a criminal offence to disturb whales and dolphins. 'We urge all water users to give all marine animals space, and to follow the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code by staying 100 meters away, not over staying your welcome – 15 minutes is enough and don't chase.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Sea creature seen wrapped in ‘kelp patty'. What is kelping and why do they do it?
A massive sea creature was seen wrapped in a 'kelp patty' off the coast of California and experts believe it was intentional. Bystanders got the 'brilliant' treat of the sun peeking through the clouds, allowing for onlookers to see a humpback whale wrapped in kelp, beginning the process of 'kelping,' according to a May 27 Facebook post by the Dana Wharf Whale Watch. After coming up for air a few times, the whale worked its way toward the kelp, in what researchers believe is a way to remove 'parasites and bacteria' from their skin, the group said. Kelp possess 'antibacterial and antifungal qualities' making it a whale's perfect 'skin care routine' allowing for it to help in the process of removing 'barnacles and lice that build up on their skin and cause irritation,' according to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation's website. Some researchers believe it could also be as simple as 'just good fun' for the whale with humpbacks even playing with it alone, the WDC said. The sun illuminated the humpback whale's pectoral fins, creating a 'white glow. The group learned it's a whale known as HW-MN0503732 that was first spotted in March, the post said. 'Humpback whales reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 10 years,' according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Calves stay close to their mom for up to a year before weaning, with the mother being 'protective' and 'swimming closely and often touching them with their flippers,' according to NOAA. Along with the 'kelping humpback' the group spotted a pod of dolphins swimming in a 'tightly grouped' formation, two gray whales, and even got the opportunity to see a minke whale come up for air, the group said. Dana Point is about a 60-mile drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles.
