If you’ve been watching the news lately, you may have asked, what is an Atlantic White-sided Dolphin? On the Faroe Islands last week, nearly 1,500 of these beautiful creatures were slaughtered by hunters. If you’re like me, you probably can’t bring yourself to look at, or read more about it.
This blog has been my effort to bring attention to the importance of wildlife to our lives. It’s about the role they play in maintaining ecosystemsHow ecosystems function An ecosystem is a community of lifeforms that interact in such an optimal way that how ecosystems function best, is when all components (including humans and other animals) can persist and live alongside each other for the longest time possible. Ecosystems are fuelled by the energy created by plants (primary producers) that convert the Sun's heat energy More. But today, I’m simply going to remember one of my most memorable cetacean encounters I ever had. It’s a distraction from the atrocity that happened.
I like to think that there are far more people in the world these days prepared to defend the rights of animals to survive. Wild animals are more than just a curiosity or something to be disrespected. They are an essential part of our culture and survival in this world.
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North Atlantic Seabirds at Sea Surveys
In 1998 I was a mere 24 years old. I regularly joined the Joint Nature ConservationWhy is animal conservation important? Animal conservation is important, because animals are the only mechanism to create biodiversity, which is the mechanism that creates a habitable planet for humans. Without animals, the energy from today’s plants (algae, trees, flowers etc) will eventually reach the atmosphere and ocean, much of it as carbon. The quantity of this plant-based waste is so More Committee seabirds at sea team. The observations formed the basis for this Atlas of Cetacean Distribution.
Our home was a tug boat converted into a research vessel. Very seaworthy but could feel like riding a barrel. Observers would work on rotation in the open air. A comfortable pistoned chair had been fixed to the very highest point. There was a wooden lectern for clipboard, paper and pencils. We’d be wearing as much wet weather gear as possible, because we were out there come rain or shine. I owned fibre pile socks, thermal underwear, gortex gloves with silk liners, and a full set of breathable, waterproof wet weather gear. I even invested in a hand warmer. You’d light charcoal sticks that burnt inside a small snap-tight container. It was just enough to keep your hands from freezing when it came to writing down sightings. We recorded absolutely everything.
Also read: Why are the oceans important?
One particularly memorable trip left the Shetland Isles in mid-winter. I cannot recall the exact circumstances but overnights on the island were usually spent in Lerwick, upstairs in The Lounge Bar. Late nights and dehydration didn’t mix well with a heaving sea. We’d often get the call to depart during the night and leave as an eight metre swell was abating. To this day, I’ve never been seasick. I’m one of the lucky ones … I guess these trips set me up for life.
A rare encounter with Atlantic White-sided Dolphins
That trip we headed northwest towards the Faroe Islands. I had the last watch one night and I remember the storm clouds were dark enough for their blackness to be reflected. The sea was like ink and there was barely a breath of wind. All around there were barrel-like snow clouds perched on the sea. Each contained a blizzard. I can remember cruising into one and out the other side. All around, feathery snow would settle on the water.
Then before the sun faded, a pod of Long-finned Pilot Whales and Atlantic White-sided Dolphins appeared, changed direction and swam alongside me. What little warmth there was (for now, I was very cold and wet) was diffused by the low cloud. The pilot whales’ red lips and the dolphins’ striking grey, white and yellow markings shone brightly. As they surfaced, they made barely a ripple. The sea surface just wafted like silk in a breeze. And you could hear the animals breathe, and the faint whistles as they chattered to one another.
When I finally decided to head back to the comfort of my cabin, it was virtually dark. I could still see the dolphins and whales swimming trustingly alongside the vessel. This one encounter has been emblazoned on my mind ever since.
What is an Atlantic White-sided Dolphin?
Like all whales and dolphins, Atlantic White-sided Dolphins have complex social lives and live in families. Their communication is sophisticated and they use echolocation to find prey. The Long-finned Pilot Whales I saw them with, would feed in similar ways. No doubt cooperation between these intelligent sea mammals is key to their success. They would be descending to depths of several hundred metres to herd squid and fish.
Visit: Ocean Sounds
When you ask, what is an Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, you could also ask, why are they important though. A super-pod of dolphins is like a whole town full of people, servicing an entire ecosystem. If you think a few wolves can influence the way rivers flow, imagine what 1,500 dolphins can do! These animals are essential for fisheries, climate and ocean health.
