The South West of England is one of the UK's best locations for observing whales, dolphins and porpoises (known collectively as cetaceans). This report by Marine Connection and The Wildlife Trusts examines 14 years of cetacean records from the South West of England and summarises what needs to be done to ensure a safe and healthy future for these animals off our coast.

The report highlights the many species of whale, dolphin and porpoise which are regularly observed off the coasts of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Some of the best places to see dolphins include Torbay, Plymouth, Falmouth, Mount's Bay, Land's End, Cape Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with the best time of year to see dolphins being between June and August. The report shows that, overall, more cetaceans are reported now than in 1990; however, rather than indicating an increase in numbers, this may simply be because more people know how important it is to report their sightings.

In addition to celebrating the dolphins which frequent the waters off the South West, the report also has a much more alarming finding - a decline in sightings for some species, in particular the bottlenose dolphin and an increase in the number of dead dolphins washing up on our beaches.

Sightings of the charismatic bottlenose dolphin have decreased since 1990 and this has caused many scientists and researchers to believe that we are witnessing a decline in the local population.

Entanglement in fishing gear is the number one cause of death in stranded cetaceans, particularly common dolphins and harbour porpoises. If we want to reduce human impacts on dolphins and protect the region's dolphins then we need to take urgent action.

Sighting and stranding data are making an important contribution to cetacean conservation, but dedicated, specialist research is also critical. The report recommends an increase in research in specific areas, as well as more immediate measures to reduce dolphin deaths, such as better fisheries management and the deployment of 'pingers' on bottom-set gill and tangle-nets.

What is clear from this report is that unless immediate action is taken we could be seeing the last dolphins to grace the South West shores of England.

Click here to download an 8 page summary of the report

Click here to download a copy of the full report