Scientists to tune in to the sounds of our dolphins

Sunday 26 June 2016

We could soon learn more about all the dolphins and porpoises living in our waters.

The Marine Biology Section of the Société Jersiaise have bought some underwater microphones thanks to a donation from the Co-op's Eco Fund and plan to put them in the sea off Gorey and St Catherine's breakwater at the end of the month.

Dr Paul Chambers will be monitoring them and said the information recorded will be used to produce a yearly report on our local species.

Dr Chambers said: “We have one of the largest pods of bottlenose dolphins in Europe, maybe the world, with more than 300 individuals in Jersey waters, and yet we know next to nothing about them. We know even less about what other dolphin, porpoise and whale species may be in our waters.

“The C-Pods can detect speech, clicks and sounds of different dolphin, porpoise and whale species. Each battery will last for six months before they need pulling up, at which point you collect the data. The batteries are changed and the C-Pods go back in the water.

“The equipment allows us to identify the numbers of dolphins and porpoises passing each device, their timing and direction. The best thing we can do is identify where they are going and ultimately, that could help protect dolphins and porpoises in local waters.

“Having looked at various options for several years, the Eco-Fund donation effectively seed funded the project and set the ball rolling. The Society generously gave us half of the money for one C-Pod, which is brilliant. Another local company, Moore Stephens, gave us the rest of the money and so we ordered one C-Pod.

“We had no idea that the company who supply the equipment, Chelonia Limited, would also be so generous. When they heard about the project they offered us a second C-Pod for free and have asked us to trial two more C-Pods later in the year."

French government agency GECC, who also study dolphins, have agreed to analyse the data recorded by the underwater hydrophones to find out more about the lives of the creatures.

The Society’s Chief Marketing Officer Greg Yeoman said: “This is an exciting scheme that will monitor dolphins and porpoises living in Jersey waters, and could reveal important scientific information about their lives. We are excited to support projects like this through the Eco-Fund and are looking forward to hearing about what we may learn about these wonderful creatures.

“We’re also looking forward to receiving more applications to the Eco-Fund this year, supporting more organisations and groups that protect and enhance the local environment.”

The Eco-Fund has donated more than £280,000 to environmental projects in Guernsey and Jersey since it was set up in 2008 when the Co-op started charging for plastic bags.

This year's applications have to be in by 8 July and you can apply for a donation from the Eco-Fund here.