Two Common Dolphins, Delphinus delphis, in the Strait of Gibraltar in front of the Rock of Gibraltar.
During my trip in Andalucía, I went on three whale/dolphin watching trips in the Straits out of Tarifa with the Foundation of Research of Marine Mammals (Firmm).
“The purpose of our foundation is information and research for the protection of marine mammals. In Tarifa, our location in Spain, we research the whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar and offer whale watching trips and observation weeks for interested people. We present the results of our work in Spain and Switzerland, for example at conferences, for associations, in schools, etc.”
Firmm
Info from Firmm about Common Dolphin identification:
- dark cape
- hourglass pattern on sides (yellowish at the front, grey at the back)
- white belly
- crescent shaped to triangular fin (often with a lighter triangular spot in the middle)
- slightly notched tail fluke with curved trailing edge and pointed tips
Firmm’s research has found that Common Dolphins in the Mediterranean are now severely endangered due to both extensive human exploitation of the coastline. Drift nets and purse seines are a particular danger – on the one hand they deprive the animals of their food, on the other hand countless dolphins drown as a result of these fishing methods. Although drift nets have been banned by the European riparian states, they are still used illegally by fishermen.
Both photos on this page are copyright © Liz Leyden, all rights reserved.
The top photo is available to license as a stock photo via my portfolio on iStock.
