A study carried out in January of this year off the Northumberland coast which focused on the habits of dolphins and whales has thrown up some unexpected findings and the researchers are now planning to extend the survey.

The area, Farne Deeps, off the Northumberland coast are an important wintering ground for white beaked dolphins but apart from sighting harbour porpoises, common dolphins were also seen, a species normally found in warmer waters. Dr Tom Brereton who analysed the survey results said that the results were disappointing but not unexpected and indicates that whales and dolphins are possibly changing their North Sea distributions, presumably due to warming sea temperatures. From the findings, there is now however, an urgent need for more offshore data to fully understand these changes, especially in light of new Government initiatives to improve conservation measures in our seas.

In the meantime, new major survey off the Loop Head peninsula in West Clare, Ireland is planned to commence this summer with regards to establishing how many bottlenose dolphins there are in the resident pod based in the Lower Shannon Estuary. The project will involve an extensive study of the mammals' habitat as well as their numbers and general behaviour. The dolphins have been cited as one of the reasons behind the success of the Loop Head area being nominated for a major European tourism award because of the growing number of visitors visiting the area each year to watch the dolphins.