![]() These sites hold the only two substantial semi-resident populations of the species in UK waters. The only two areas in UK waters that have been identified as having the physical and biological factors essential to the life and reproduction of a population of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus are Cardigan Bay and the Moray Firth. There is insufficient evidence to comment on any change in abundance. The species was formerly more widespread, especially in the southern North Sea and English Channel (although a further semi-resident group is based around the Channel Islands), and has certainly declined in range. The total population in UK inshore waters is probably less than 300 individuals. ![]() Other dolphin groups, presumed to be of transients, are recorded further offshore in deeper water along the continental shelf edge to the west of Scotland. Transient groups are not infrequent almost anywhere around the British coast except the southern North Sea and south-east England. For example, since the mid-1990s, Moray Firth dolphins have increasingly made extended movements eastwards and southwards, and probably account for regular sightings off east Scotland including the Firth of Forth. Dolphins from all of these areas may range some distance from their apparent core range. Away from these two areas, there are smaller groups off south Dorset, around Cornwall and in the Sound of Barra, Outer Hebrides. ![]() There are two main areas of UK territorial waters where there are semi-resident groups of bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus: Cardigan Bay and the Moray Firth. ![]()
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