Ocean mammals on the move

FISH and birds of Irish coastal waters seem to be moving house, writes Richard Collins.

The salmon from our rivers have deserted their traditional quarters off Greenland, sprat and sand-eels are relocating to more northerly waters and the seabirds which feed on them are following suit. Meanwhile, fish normally found to the south, are turning up here. Some people fear that great white sharks will visit us. Now, evidence has emerged that at least one sea mammal species is also on the move.

Common dolphins used be regarded as occasional visitors to the west coast of Scotland but, according to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, they now turn up regularly in spring and their numbers have risen steadily over the last decade. There are twice as many sightings nowadays as there were 12 years ago. Thirty-four ‘pods’ were recorded last year. The Trust has presented the results of surveys, carried out over the last decade, to the European Cetacean Society.