ARCHIVED - Dolphin first identified in Murcia 16 years ago dies off the coast of Alicante
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
A necropsy carried out by the Oceanogràfic Foundation on the Costa Blanca confirmed the adult female died of natural causes
A bottlenose dolphin first photographed and cataloged by Murcia's Southeast Naturalists Association (ANSE) near Cabo de Palos in September 2005 has died off the coast of Alicante.
The creature's lifeless body was discovered on the Moraira coastline in Alicante province on November 2, and was identified thanks to the photo-identification catalogue that ANSE has developed over more than two decades of work in the marine environment with this species.
The dolphin's carcass was taken to Valencia's Oceanogràfic Foundation where a necropsy revealed the animal had died of natural causes aged approximately 26, and photographs of its dorsal fin were shared with ANSE.
The association confirmed the dolphin was in fact number TT_D0054, an adult female which had been photographed 16 years ago in a group of 35.
She was sighted again by ANSE off the coast of Torrevieja in Alicante province in 2015, together with 20 other dolphins, a common sight along this stretch of coast.
The association is currently working with this species as part of project called 'Evaluation of bottlenose dolphin interactions and fisheries in the south and southeast in marine protected areas for integrated management (INDELPESUR)' in collaboration with the Azul Marino Foundation (blue marine foundation).
The main objective is to gather real information on the bottlenose dolphins "to contribute to an adequate management that guarantees the sustainability of fishing and aquaculture activity, while ensuring the conservation of biodiversity", explained ANSE.
"This is why navigation campaigns are being carried out with the aim of determining the use that groups of bottlenose dolphins in the southeast make of protected marine areas, especially those that interact with the artisanal fishing gear present in these areas. This is expected to provide more information to the managing bodies," added the association.
After several weeks of conservation work and information gathering in the waters at Cabo de Palos Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve, ANSE has now moved to the Tabarca Island Marine Reserve, where the first days of research were marked by adverse weather due to the Blas storm which hit the Balearic Islands and affected parts of Valencia region.
"Nevertheless, it has been possible to take advantage of some moments of calm in which it has been possible to find a first group of bottlenose dolphins located in the Guardamar del Segura marine aquaculture area. The waters around the Marine Reserves are a great example of successful management for the conservation of fish species, helping to maintain professional artisanal fishing while favouring other sustainable activities such as responsible recreational diving." said ANSE.
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