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Bottlenose dolphins around Aberdeen harbour, north-east Scotland: a short study of habitat utilization and the potential effects of boat traffic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2005

M.I. Sini ,
S.J. Canning ,
K.A. Stockin  and
G.J. Pierce
M.I. Sini
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK Themistokli Sofouli 62A, 54 655, Thessaloniki, Greece
S.J. Canning
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
K.A. Stockin
Affiliation:
Coastal-Marine Research Group, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore MSC, Auckland, New Zealand
G.J. Pierce
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that affect the patterns of occurrence and habitat utilization of bottlenose dolphins around Aberdeen harbour, on the north-east coast of Scotland (UK), and their responses to boat traffic. Land-based surveys were conducted over a period of nine weeks, between early May and late July, 2002. During this time 83 sightings of bottlenose dolphins were recorded. Dolphins occurred more frequently around midday and early afternoon, while their abundance was greater around high tide and late afternoon. Foraging was the most commonly observed activity.

Dolphins were usually concentrated around the entrance of Aberdeen harbour. Their responses to boats varied considerably according to boat size, activity and speed, but there is evidence of habituation to boat traffic.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 85 , Issue 6 , December 2005 , pp. 1547 - 1554
Copyright
© 2005 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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