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A dolphin research project has confirmed major changes in the Channel Island ecosystem, as it continues to monitor cetacean populations in the waters around Guernsey.
The DolFin project was launched two years ago to better understand the Channel Island dolphin populations and why we’ve seen an increase in their numbers.
Following its inception in 2019, the project has now collated all its data from 2020 and it revealed some interesting sightings.
“Five years ago, there was an increase in dolphin sightings, and we didn’t know why,” said Co-ordinator for the project, Nicky Harris.
Pictured: There were 124 sightings in 2020, with some unexpected species being spotted.
“Just over 50% of sightings were bottlenose dolphins. Twenty years ago, it was 90% of all sightings.”
“We’ve now confirmed at least five species have visited the islands, it suggests that our ecosystem is doing well."
The DolFin project can identify different bottlenose dolphins from their fins, which are as unique as human fingerprints. From this information they can determine if the same dolphins remain in our waters or continue to visit.
When asked about why we’re seeing more dolphins and more variety, Ms Harris said they can’t be sure yet.
“It’ll be down to a number of factors, one idea is that there has been a saturation point in the waters around France, and we’re getting the ‘excess dolphins’ so to speak.
“We also live in a relatively quiet part of the Channel,” she said.
Pictured: Most sightings have been solid confirmations of either a bottle nose or other species of dolphin.
The project is run by volunteers and they’re always looking for more people to get involved.
“We’d like to continually monitor the dolphin populations, to develop further data and offer more insight,” said Ms Harris. “We’ve had members of the public come along to do surveys and we’d welcome more people who were interested in doing a survey.”
The project will soon be supported by a student bursary. To get involved you can email ‘dolfinproject@outlook.com’.
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