Dolphin spectacle baffles experts

[Mr T.]

Any one else read this or actually see it?


Dolphin spectacle baffles experts



Some of the dolphins swimming off the west Wales coast.



A group of up to 2,000 common dolphins has been spotted off the coast of west Wales.

Marine experts said it was "massively unusual" to see so many off the Pembrokeshire coast, and the reason remained a mystery.

Cliff Benson, who runs Sea Trust, the marine branch of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, said it had been an incredible sight.

"It's fairly normal to see a hundred or so, but not thousands."

Mr Benson, who carries out regular survey work on cetaceans - dolphins, whales, and porpoises - was on his boat when he saw the dolphins approaching.

"It was like a volcanic eruption," he said. "There were dolphins of all ages - adults and mothers with their babies - and they were leaping out of the water.


Many of the dolphins had calves with them



"It's a mystery as to why there were so many. It could be because the waters are so rich in food, and that there aren't many predators.

"They could be coming here specifically to breed because the conditions are so right."

Mr Benson, who lives in Llanwnda, near Fishguard, is keen to get the Pembrokeshire coast marketed to tourists who enjoy seeing marine life.

"People think they have to go to Florida to see dolphins leaping out of the water, but it's all right here," he said.

"We should be marketing this area as 'The Dolphin Coast', and encouraging tourists to come here and spend their money to boost the local economy.

"There's a small coastal village in Ireland that has a particularly friendly dolphin, and people travel hundreds of miles to see him. He's worth £5m a year to that village."

[daveyb]

Thanks Bren it brought a smile to my face and let me tell you why!
A couple of years ago I went on a trip to Cuba with my dad. After one of the dives I got talking to an Austrian family. With them was their young son and daughter. The daughter was quite chirpy but the young lad had a somewhat bemused expression on his face. His dad explained that his son was autistic and that they had come to Cuba to get dolphin therapy for his son.

Anyway a day or so later after diving I bumped into the family again (on the way to the bar) and the difference in that lad was amazing - just imagine all the dives you went on and came back beaming and then add a little interest to it - that was how that lad looked after his first encounter with a dolphin.

To this day I associate dolphins with the look on that lad's face

[AdmiralHanson]

They're trying to get tickets for the RL Challenge Cup Final a week on Saturday ....

[daveyb]

Admiral,
No hope ! - It's probably an RFU conspiracy

[Mr T.]

New law bans swimming with dolphins

Costa Rica has introduced a law banning swimming with dolphins or whales in order to safeguard the animals' health. Keeping either animal in captivity has also been made illegal.
(Filed: 13/08/2005)

Costa Rica has introduced a law banning swimming with dolphins or whales in order to safeguard the animals' health. Keeping either animal in captivity has also been made illegal.

The move follows extensive criticism of the tourism industry that has sprung up around close encounters with the creatures. Swimming with dolphins is particularly popular in Central America and the Caribbean - in Costa Rica alone there are an estimated 45 companies that advertise trips to view the animals in the open sea. In Mexico, tourists frequently spend hundreds of pounds to swim with captive dolphins.

Among the dangers cited by environmentalists in relation to swimming with the animals is the risk of infections passing to humans.

Cathy Williamson of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society said environmentalists would campaign to extend the new legislation across the globe.

[intothebigblue]

Saw that last night on TV and it fair bought a tear to my eye.

I've swum with dolphins on holidays and even got accompanied for a short while by one when out on Big Blue the other week, but I'd have given my eye teeth to be there!

[hogen-deifar]

I saw the news last night with this on it! What a shame they didn't spend more time on it instead of what's happening in Israel?!?!? Alos, did anyone see Coast on BBC2 a few weeks ago when they were covering the Llyn Peninsula. They showed leatherback turtles who come over from the Caribbean (excuse the spelling - no doubt intothebigblue will pass comment about that!!!) It was awesome to see these creatures swimming in local waters. I used to live there and had NO idea they came over. It's beautiful up there as it is but knowing they are frequent visitors, and the dolphins a little lower it makes it all the more beautiful! And along with Puffin Island (yes, only puffins live there) opposite Llandudno on the far south east corner of Anglesey, it makes it a nice area to visit!

[String]

Originally Posted by AdmiralHanson

They're trying to get tickets for the RL Challenge Cup Final a week on Saturday ....

About the only thing in wales that wants them then

[String]

We spend most weekends diving around that area and its fairly common to see small pods of dolphins in that area but im talking maybe 10-15 not 2000 !

Didnt see it as had a weekend off diving having done plymouth and lundy in the previous 5 days. Typical....