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July 11, 2011

Several common bottlenose dolphins to the W, again

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© OCEANA / Carlos Minguell

 

Logo LIFE-INDEMARESLast year, when we were working in the same area –the western half of the area designated to be studied within the framework of the LIFE+INDEMARES Project–, we also found groups of common bottlenose dolphins, swimming, resting or feeding. This time, we saw two groups of at least 15 individuals, something similar to what we were able to observe in 2010 while we were working in the same area.

The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is considered by the Habitats Directive as a species of Community interest, for whose preservation it is necessary to designate protected marine areas, designated under these regulations as Special Protection Areas (SPA). Along with the bottlenose, there are other species considered, such as the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) among others. The above-mentioned directive is the main regulation for the conservation of species and habitats in Europe through the creation of the Natura 2000 Network, a network of natural protected spaces for the conservation of biodiversity in European territory and waters. 

Therefore, not only the presence of bottlenoses in the Chella Bank or Seco de los Olivos, but also the use of the area as feeding grounds, has made and is still making this mount an indisputable candidate to be included in the Natura 2000 Network.