Dolphin sightings around the natural park of Serra Gelada de la Marina Baixa have increased
The Ministry of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Territory has recorded an increase in the sighting of dolphins around the natural park of Serra Gelada. During the year 2023, a total of 31 contacts with these marine species have been counted.
An increase after a decline in 2022
According to the general director of Natural and Animal Environment, Raúl Mérida, after a decrease in dolphin sightings in 2022, there has been an increase in 2023. This increase may be related to a lower contribution of private observations, rather than a real decrease in the presence of this species in the area.
Details of contacts with dolphins
During the year 2023, a total of 31 contacts with dolphins were recorded in the surroundings of the natural park of Serra Gelada. Of these, 28 observations correspond to the marine area of the natural park, 2 to the marine area of Vila Joiosa and 1 in front of the Penyal d’Ifac Natural Park in Calpe. All contacts correspond to the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
Observations made by the staff of the Ministry of Environment
Since the year 2000, the staff of the Ministry of the Environment has carried out and compiled the observations of cetaceans in the natural park of Serra Gelada and its coastal environment. The bottlenose dolphin is one of the most observed species, with a relatively stable population group in this coastal strip.
Variation in contacts according to the time of year
Contacts with dolphins in the waters of the Serra Gelada Natural Park vary according to the time of year. During summer and spring, there is an increase in sightings, while in late summer and early spring they decrease. The month of June is the time with the most sightings.
Observations of baby dolphins
Sightings of baby dolphins are concentrated during the first six months of the year, with similar numbers in all these months. In 2021, the proportion of cubs in the observations was 59.37%, while in 2023 it was 38.71%.
Average size of dolphin groups
The average size of the groups of dolphins observed is 5 specimens. This figure is less than in previous years, where groups of up to 13 dolphins were observed in a single group during the year 2023.
