Thursday 9 July 2015

Stena Superfast Ferry Survey report July 15th.From Dr Tony Gallon.

Given the conditions Tony did really well to spot anything! well done mate!

The poor viewing and rough sea conditions resulted in only one very brief cetacean sighting. One Harbour Porpoise and one Grey Seal were seen.


3.1 Harbour Porpoise (Phocaena phocaena)

Leg
Time
#
Lat
Long
Water Depth m
Outward

1
53021.55N
005028.758W
82.5
Return
Nil
0



TOTAL

1



Table 1: Harbour Porpoise Sightings from the Stena Superfast X 06th July 2015


 3.2 Seals
One grey seal was seen at the entrance to Dublin harbour at 11h47.


 3.3 Whales
No whales were seen.


3.4 Dolphins
No dolphins were encountered.


3.5 Interpretation of differences in cetacean sightings between May and July 2015

There was marked reduction in the number of mammal sightings in July compared with over a dozen at the end of May. Whether this is a true reflection of the relative numbers is open to question since the viewing conditions were diametrically opposite, i.e. calm in May and rough, neigh, almost stormy on this July trip.