University to survey marine mammals along coast

The university team plan to conduct surveys along the coast from the Isles of Scilly up to Sussex

A team from the University of Plymouth has set off on a six-day expedition to survey marine mammals.

Plymouth University's Marine Vertebrate Research Conservation Unit, which includes students from the university, plans to conduct surveys along the coast from the Isles of Scilly up to Sussex.

The team said it aimed to gather data in particular on the "small and vulnerable" bottlenose dolphin, often seen along the south coast.

PHD student Beth Harvey said she hoped the data would be used in the long run to help with conservation.

Beth Harvey said the data would be used to conserve future marine animals

She said: "We're hoping to find whatever cetaceans are there so that's any whales, dolphins or porpoises.

"We need to monitor their abundance, their distribution because that can change over time.

"Although they are charismatic animals, which we see regularly we actually don't know that much about their distribution."

Kate Inman, studying Marine Biology, said it would be a unique experience.

She said: "It's really special to be so close to animals like that and to have them that close and they want to be.

"Of course you don't approach them, it's completely on their terms, but it's really special when that is on their terms and they choose to come and spend that time with you on the boat."