A clear, but cold, summer evening in northern Scotland. Night is just about to fall, and the
sun is hovering above the horizon in an endless northern summer sunset. Walking along the beach, there is a sudden disturbance in the water. Ripples spread and a fin, two fins, slice through the glassy sea, mere meters from the shore. All that can be heard in the stillness of the evening is the blows of breath as the animals surface, mothers, and calves in perfect synchrony. Every so often there are sudden skirmishes, chases after fish, salmon tossed into the air, and cartwheeling leaps and breaches, for seemingly no other reason that pure exhilaration.
If I were to ask you where bottlenose dolphins lived in the world, chances are you’d say Florida, the Caribbean, Australia or other such warm and sunny places. But scenes such as these can be experienced year round in the Moray Firth, the north-eastern coast of Scotland, UK, which is home to the most northerly resident group of bottlenose dolphins in the world.
Living in waters as cold as 7oC (45o F), approximately 200 individuals live in the area all year round. As an adaptation to the cold waters they can grow to a massive 4 meters (13 feet), and weigh up to 650 kilograms (1,400 pounds), nearly double as large and fat as their warm- water cousins. Seeing these enormous top predators feeding and playing is a breath-taking sight, and a thrill that has brought myself, and many thousands of others back year after year. Increased marketing and awareness of this stunning area of coastline, with its untouched nature and wildlife, has increased tourism. This has not only brought awareness and appreciation to this special area but has brought jobs to local people and significantly improved the economies of many small villages.
In recognition of this area’s outstanding natural beauty and importance for this unique population of dolphins, it has been awarded the highest designation under European Law: a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
You would think, in recognition of this area’s unique and untouched nature, that its rich ecosystems would be respected. You would think that such a designation as a Special Area of Conservation, would exclude the area from harmful human activities. Otherwise, what would be the point of havinga conservation area?
You would have to think again.
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/protect-dolphins-in-scotland-from-oil/?utm_source=Green+Monster+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=bdf6882430-NEWSLETTER_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bbf62ddf34-bdf6882430-106919241
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