Shannon estuary dolphins

hi folks,

I'll be stationed by the Shannon estuary for most of the summer doing research work on the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. the home of the only pod of resident dolphins in Ireland and one of the most important european sites for the species, it is estimated that the population is somewhere in the region of 150 individuals. check out their website here;

http://www.shannondolphins.ie/

or for those that are that way inclined, check out their facebook page and give them a 'like' to show some support;

https://www.facebook.com/ShannonDolphinAndWildlifeCentre

there should be regular updates and images from dolphin tour boats and research vessels. enjoy! if any anglers frequenting the area have any good quality photos of the Shannon dolphins we'd love to hear from you.

Do they taste nice?

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I haven't taken a photo of them but I have seen roughly 20+ of them within casting distance about 80%+ of the times that I am there fishing. They would go around up to probably near Kilkee then go back up and around to the mouth of Shannon. They do play up a lot though and jump out of the waters which is a good side entertainment while resting.

do they eat alot of fish?

they live on fish. it's their staple diet. the presence of a large group of dolphins indicate a good food source and healthy environment

That's another plumb assignment you've been sent on Gary, I'm jealous. I see the resident Shannon dolphins are described as 'genetically discrete'. Did I read or hear somewhere that it is reckoned that that particular pod have been in the Shannon estuary for millennia?

thanks Rob. apparently so. i'm not too au fait with the details but I do know that the Shannon dolphins have been isolated to be a unique pod from a genetics point of view