Meet the researchers studying Sussex's dolphins

Over the past few weeks social media has been littered with excited spotters catching a glimpse of the majestic creatures off the coast of Sussex.

Lucky Nick Coleman even got to catch some up close when a pod splashed about next to his jet ski off the coast of Brighton.

The Brighton Dolphin Project has been researching and monitoring dolphins in our waters for two years now.

To project leads Thea Taylor and Andrew Scoon, the sight of a dolphin of Sussex is not out of the ordinary.

So why are so many people surprised to learn they inhabit our shores?

“Everyone here goes down to the coast very often but you don’t think about there being a lot of life in the water,” Andrew said.

“So seeing a dolphin is a reminder that we have a lot of marine life here.

Brighton Dolphin Project co-lead Andrew Scoon

“If we have these big dolphins, then we also have lots of smaller species supporting them.”

“Everyone gets excited when you see one. It’s a great way of reeling people in,” Thea said.

“They’re great and so important to our oceans, but to protect them you have to protect the smaller species too.

“So we want to use our research to inspire the people of Sussex and teach them about what’s on their doorstep.

“When you show someone a cuckoo wrasse for example, people think it must be from the tropics.

“But it’s on your doorstep. A lot of people don’t realise that.

“We have spiny seahorses in Chichester Harbour. People don’t know that either.”

But as important as it is to recognise the abundant marine life off the Sussex coast, Thea and Andrew emphasise it is under threat.

“People see dolphins and they think that means it’s a healthy ecosystem,” Thea said.

“Some people don’t want to listen to the negative stuff.

Brighton Dolphin Project co-lead Thea Taylor

“For the moment just getting the message out and letting people know we’re here is the first hurdle.

“The more you know about something, the more you care about it and the more you want to protect it.”

“You always have to look from a human perspective,” Andrew said.

“In Sussex we have a big fishing industry, so we make sure to emphasise that if we protect our ecosystems, there’ll be more fish.

“That’s why we’re trying to protect our kelp forests. It also helps with storm protection.

“But you can’t do anything about something until you can measure it.

“We have to research and understand the dolphins first.”

One of those threats the project is researching is trawlers.

Last year the Margiris supertrawler, the second-largest in the world, fished off the coast of Sussex.

And in February a common dolphin found dead on Lancing beach was found to have net marks on its beak.

This common dolphin was found dead with net marks on its nose. Photo: CSIP

“From what we’ve gathered one of the big issues is by-catch from the big international trawlers,” Thea said.

“We have had quite a few strandings of common dolphins recently

“They trawlers use massive nets which dolphins get tangled in.

“They need to breathe air, so they essentially drown.”

But due to the Rampion windfarm the dolphins may have gained a sanctuary, suggests Andrew.

“It’s created a generally protected area, a no-fishing zone,” he said.

“The impact of it is something we’d really like to understand.

“It is still changing the ecosystem. It might allow invasive species to thrive, for example.

“And we don’t know much about how the vibrations it emits affects dolphin communication either, though our early findings suggest it hasn’t affected them much.”

Even finding out exactly how many dolphins inhabit Sussex’s waters is a work in progress.

“We’ve seen pods with as many as 20 bottlenose dolphins in them, but there are a few smaller pods too,” Thea said.

These dolphins splashed about near Claire Purvis's boat

“Sometimes they combine to form larger pods and break off.

“We know at least one of the bottlenose dolphins we saw last year has returned.

“Bottlenose dolphins are here all year round. However, they follow their prey offshore in the winter so are harder to spot.”

So while the experts learn more about these complex creatures, what can the ordinary person do to help?

“There are lots of things people can do,” Thea said.

“When you’re buying fish, make sure it’s sustainably caught and always try to go to smaller, local fishermen.

“Reducing your plastic waste is important too, and picking up your litter. A lot was left on the beach last weekend.”

And if you are lucky enough to get up close to a pod of dolphins, treat them with respect.

“Don’t go around chasing them if you’re on a jet ski or a boat,” Andrew said.

“If they want to come to you, they will.

“We’ve also had some calls about seals coming up onto Brighton’s beaches.

“Don’t worry about them, they’re absolutely fine. It’s common for seals to come onto the shore for a few hours after they’ve eaten.

“Sit and enjoy them, but don’t go near them because they’re faster than you think.”

But if you spot a dolphin, alive or dead, always make sure to report it.

If you spy a dolphin in the sea, send any information, pictures, or video you have to info@brightondolphinproject.org.

Those who see a live dolphin stranded on land should call British Divers Marine Life Rescue 01825 765546.

If you see a dead dolphin onshore, contact the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme on 0800 652 0333.