Risso’s dolphins are often spotted from the Isle of Lewis and in the Northern Isles and sightings are being more frequent along the Caithness and moray firth coast.
The bodies of Risso’s dolphins become covered in distinctive scars as they age, and old males may have a completely white head.
They have a blunt face with no beak, and a tall and identifiable dorsal fin.
Photos:
© Nicola Hodgins / Whale and Dolphin Conservation
© Charlie Phillips / Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Action Needed
- Press for the implementation of effective management measures to reduce noise pollution at its source and restricting damaging fishing practices, two of the biggest threats for the Risso’s dolphin Marine Protected Areas in the North East Lewis MPA
- Continue to support efforts to reduce entanglements in fishing gear, is
- Support long-term monitoring and research to meet the requirements of the Habitats Regulations (formerly Article 11of the Habitats Directive), and provide the evidence needed to inform conservation and management decisions.
- Integrate restrictions on noisy, high-impact activities into management plans for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with particular focus on those designated for cetacean conservation.
- Publish the Cetacean Conservation strategy
- Support research efforts to better understand Risso’s dolphin distribution and habitat use, behaviour and threats (i.e. underwater noise, entanglement, climate change).
- Support the implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy; specifically:
- Expand Scottish marine protected areas to 30% by 2030
- Increase the number of sites in Scotland’s Marine Protected Area network with specific fisheries management measures
- Invest in nature – implementation of Biodiversity Investment plan
Threats
- Noise pollution including seismic surveys for oil and gas or military operations.
- Collision with ships and tangling in fishing gear.
MSP Nature Champion
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