Know your marine mammals

COASTAL WHALES AND DOLPHINS OF THE EASTERN CAPE:  A GUIDE FOR EVERYONE WITH AN INTEREST IN WHALES AND DOLPHINS

How often do you walk on the beach hoping to see dolphins or whales leap out of the water and into your gaze? It is a fascinating sight and worth capturing on camera. Aquatic Biologist, Dr Stephanie Plön, has put together a 10 page, easy-to-read, waterproof guide for turning your walk on the beach into a whale- or dolphin-watching experience. The guide enables you to identify the different whale and dolphin species commonly encountered along our coastline.

Dr Plön, who is in a joint appointment with the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), the South African Environmental Observatory Network (SAEON), and Bayworld, is the author of Coastal whales and dolphins of the Eastern Cape, a guide for everyone with an interest in whales and dolphins. Coastal whales and dolphins of the Eastern Cape provides a guide to identifying seven of the most common species of whale and dolphin found in the Eastern Cape waters. The guide includes pictures with comprehensive descriptions of each species, including information on the animals’ distribution, group sizes, and weight and length. For a quick reference to identifying whales and dolphins, the guide also includes whale and dolphin comparison charts.

Dr Plön is currently running a three-year project to determine the seasonal and geographical distribution of cetaceans in Algoa Bay. The Cetacea are one of the most distinctive and specialised orders of mammals and include the largest animal that has ever lived, the blue whale, the highly intelligent and communicative dolphins, and the singing humpback whales - nearly eighty living species in all. This project is funded by Oceans and Coast (formerly Marine and Coastal Management) and SANParks and the guide is a direct product of this project. “SANParks is involved in the project and want to contribute data, but these animals are often difficult to identify at sea if you don’t know what you are looking for,” said Plön on the idea about putting together the guide. The proposed Greater Addo Elephant National Park marine protected area includes the coastal area of Addo Elephant National Park, that stretches between Sundays River Mouth and Bushman’s River Mouth. According to Plön, SANParks have specialised rangers in the marine section.

People very easily identify between the different species of big cats and, Plön adds, “I didn’t realise that people don’t know how to identify whales, so this guide is for everyone with an interest in whales and dolphins, interested divers, sailors and people who walk on the beach hoping to spot a whale.” Dolphin and whale lovers in Algoa Bay can expect to see whales anytime between June and December. However, the Brydes whale on pages 5 and 6 of the guide, which is resident, and dolphins can be seen all year round with a higher seasonality in Summer and Autumn. Coastal whales and dolphins of the Eastern Cape is available at R50 from SAIAB and Bayworld.

Please contact Stephanie Plön at stephani(at)bayworld.co.za or call 041 584 0650