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

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 w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2005-12, Vol.85 (6), p.1547-1554
Main Authors: Sini, M.I., Canning, S.J., Stockin, K.A., Pierce, G.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Aquatic mammals
Autoecology
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Boats
Cetacea
Coasts
Dolphins & porpoises
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Habitat utilization
Habitats
Harbors
Mammalia
Marine
Research Article
Tursiops truncatus
Vertebrata
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0025-3154
1469-7769
DOI:10.1017/S0025315405012774