Flipping Fantastic: The Sussex Dolphin Project

The Sussex Dolphin Project has uncovered the presence of dolphins and porpoises in our local waters, and now it’s working to protect their future. Hanna Prince and her family join a sunset boat cruise to find out more

The sun is sinking behind the skeletal West Pier as our little boat speeds along the Brighton coastline. Everyone aboard is scanning the water – will we be lucky enough to spot a fin breaking the surface? “Look!” cried my four- year-old, and we all turn in the direction of her pointing finger. No fins this time.

It’s a cormorant, soaring towards the pier to dry its feathers in the last rays of the setting sun. Not exactly what we were hoping to see – but still, a thrilling harbinger of the life that is slowly returning to the Marine Conservation Zone off the coast of Brighton.

SPOTTING CETACEANS

We’re here tonight on a family-friendly sunset cruise organised by the Sussex Dolphin Project, a local not-for-profit organisation that was established to get people engaging with the marine environment on their doorstep. What began as an awareness-raising initiative quickly evolved into a hands- on research project, as it became apparent that there were far more cetaceans (that’s dolphins, whales and porpoises to us non-experts) visiting and inhabiting our Sussex waters than was originally thought.

“We have two main species that we focus our research on, the bottlenose dolphin and the harbour porpoise,” explained Thea Taylor, the project’s Managing Director. “Both are seen in Sussex all year round. We have a semi- resident population of harbour porpoises along the chalk reef which extends along the base of the cliffs from Telscombe Cliffs to the end of Eastbourne. And we’re working with Plymouth University and the South Coast Bottlenose Dolphin Consortium to gain a greater understanding of an inshore population of bottlenose dolphins, because we believe that they’re extending their range into Sussex while historically they were only seen around Cornwall.”

To help fund its work, the Sussex Dolphin Project runs regular boat trips for members of the public. It’s an opportunity to support the organisation, get a unique perspective on the local coastline and be in with a chance of spotting amazing aquatic life all at once. Although the sunset cruise doesn’t leave Brighton Marina until later in the day, it’s popular with families – our two kids aren’t the only ones hanging over the rails hoping for a sneaky sighting.

Volunteers join each cruise to monitor the seas and explain what to look out for. Our on-board expert tells us that bottlenose dolphins are distinguished by their snub ‘beak’ and tall, curved dorsal fin. They are far bigger than harbour porpoises – up to 3.8 metres compared to 1.8m – with
a grey body and a white or pale pink underbelly. “They are quite often seen in large groups, averaging between 10 and 15, and they like to make a show when in the area, so you’ll quite often see them jumping out of the water or making a lot of splashes,” added Thea.

CONSERVING OUR COASTLINE

It’s not clear why bottlenose dolphins have begun to visit our area, but one theory is that it’s down to positive conservation efforts. The Offshore Brighton Marine Conservation Zone was established back in 2016, and the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project is working to restore a portion of the ancient kelp forests that once spread for hundreds of kilometres along the Sussex coast.

Thea said that the kelp hasn’t yet recovered enough to make a significant difference to dolphin populations, but the wider increase in biodiversity resulting from a localised ban on damaging fishing practices might be a factor.

Unfortunately, it’s not all good news. “There are a lot of threats to cetaceans in Sussex because it’s such a busy area,” she explained. “These bottlenose dolphins inhabit some of the busiest waters in the world, and as far as we know they aren’t breeding. There’s a risk of this population declining to a point where they don’t exist anymore before we can even understand the reasons why. We need to start getting some protection in place for them.”

Protecting local marine life is ultimately what the Sussex Dolphin Project is all about. Its research and lobbying efforts have helped shine the spotlight on the damage caused by ‘supertrawlers’, convincing DEFRA to target them as a priority for remote monitoring. That’s important, because these giant ships can be up to 144m long and catch around 6,000 tonnes of fish in a single trip. Although they claim that only 1% of that is bycatch (species caught unintentionally and subsequently discarded), the Sussex Dolphin Project has noticed a marked increase in the number of dead cetaceans washing up on local beaches when supertrawlers are fishing in the Channel. Up to 11 supertrawlers have been seen fishing off the coast of Sussex at any one time.

The cetaceans of Sussex face other challenges as well. Habitat degradation, over-fishing and water pollution threaten their food supply. Noise pollution from shipping disrupts their ability to communicate and find food. Even well-intentioned human interaction can have a detrimental impact, distracting hungry dolphins from feeding sprees.

TAKING ACTION

With all these odds piled against them, our local cetaceans are in desperate need of conservation championship. Little can be done without more data. That’s why the Sussex Dolphin Project combines general awareness raising with information gathering – the long-range aim is to acquire an in-house vessel for monitoring cetacean numbers and habits. It relies heavily on donations and on support from volunteers.

Ways to help include getting involved as a citizen scientist in ‘land watch’ surveys, helping with behind-the-scenes work such as social media and marketing, and booking an expert to give an adult education talk. Joining the charity for a cruise is also a great way to support its local conservation work. Even if you don’t manage a cetacean sighting, there are plenty of other species swimming in the Sussex waters.

“There are a few seal colonies in Sussex,” said Thea. “We have both harbour and grey seals, so you might spot one of those. Also sharks, although not the man- eating kind! We’ve seen smooth-hounds and thresher sharks, which have an amazing tail, nearly 6ft long. Larger species, such as humpbacks and minke whales, also come through now and then.”

Our family cruise doesn’t yield many aquatic sightings, but we’re still wowed by the aerial wildlife. The line-up of cormorants along the West Pier is truly spectacular – dozens of elegant birds perch on its blackened ruin, many of them holding their wings at full span as though they’re saluting the sunset. Our guide tells us that they’d normally rest on sea stacks, but manmade structures are the next best thing. Their feathers aren’t waterproof, which is why they perch with their wings outspread. It’s their way of drying out after a spot of underwater fishing.

Even the variety and abundance of seagulls surprises us. Although actually, as we learn, there’s no such things as a ‘seagull’. In Britain, the word encompasses six species of commonly occurring gull. During our hour-long voyage, we manage to spot herring gulls (the ones most likely to steal your chips), black-headed gulls, and great black-backed gulls.

The final surprise is a rainbow. It streaks across the sky minutes before sunset, competing with the sea-reflected lights of Brighton’s coastal strip. We all gaze up at it in silent awe as our guide talks about the hardships facing our small and precious population of cetaceans. I’m sure that many of us are hoping that it’s a symbol of promise for their future.

BOAT TRIPS WITH THE SUSSEX DOLPHIN PROJECT

Whether you want to see the wildlife of the SevenSisters, enjoy a close-up view of the Rampion wind farm or take a luxury yacht cruise around the local ocean, the Sussex Dolphin Project has a trip to suit.

Brighton Sunset Cruise: Suitable for the whole family, this is an hour-long evening trip from Brighton Marina that takes in the beautiful Brighton skyline.

Rampion Wind Farm: Combine wildlife spotting with a wind farm tour on this two-hour trip from Newhaven Marina.

Seven Sisters: Seabird colonies are the highlight of this hour-long, child-friendly trip, which leaves from Newhaven Marina.

Beachy Head: Set out from Newhaven Marina to see one of the most iconic views in Sussex, and spot coastal wildlife along the way.

Brighton Wildlife Sailing Experience: An exclusive three-hour yacht trip with your own on-board wildlife guide.

Find out more at www.sussexdolphinproject.org