Dofins de Tramuntana (Tramuntana Dolphins)

Last week I returned to the "Dofins de Tramuntana" project in Cap de Creus which is organised by SUBMON. The project aims to make a comprehensive photo ID catalogue of the dorsal fins of the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Cap de Creus area of Catalonia to help identify how many individual animals there are in this area and whether they are resident all year as well as whether they are seen over subsequent years. I had been lucky enough to participate in the project last July and September and was keen to get involved again this year.

I have to say that although last year was a wonderful experience, it was totally surpassed by the weather and the sightings we had this year. In 2017, the wind prevented us from going out to sea on many days, the seas were often slightly choppy and the dolphins were not always to be seen or only put in a relatively brief appearance. This year was a different story. We were able to get out to sea on 4 days and the weather was incredible. The sea was so flat and calm that it was like a mirror. This, combined with the fact that the dolphins were incredibly friendly this year, meant that we had some truly magical encounters. To be on a boat and to have the dolphins swim up alongside before turning their bodies so they can look right at you is simply breath-taking. We were even able to hear their whistles. It was something I had not imagined and the fact that it happened every day felt like such a gift.

As well as the photo ID part of the project, another key element is the contact with the local fishing boats. The SUBMON project staff are busy getting to know all of the fishermen (in particular the trawlers) from Llançà, Port de la Selva and Roses so that they can work together to help protect the bottlenose dolphins. One of the sightings we had during the week that I was there was thanks to a phone call from one of the fishing boats who told us exactly where the dolphins were. It is really wonderful that the fishermen are interested in the project as they are the ones who are out at sea throughout the year, having regular interactions with the dolphins.

I took a lot of photos and videos during this week and I share just a few of them here.