San Antonio Ibiza: dolphin superhighway!
Residents and visitors to San Antonio Ibiza were wowed this weekend when a group of dolphins were seen frolicking together just off the coast of the town. The sightings were reported by several residents on Sunday morning and were reported widely both on social media channels and by the local press.
The Balearic sea around the pine islands of Ibiza and Formentera is home to a small and treasured population of common Bottlenose dolphins. The town of San Antonio Ibiza is the lucky location of many sightings, especially around springtime, but the dolphins are seen in lots of other locations too. Around Figueretas, Talamanca and especially that famous rock, Es Vedra, dolphin sightings are relatively common.
Dolphin dangers
These famously intelligent and much-loved mammals have been under various threats in recent years from a variety of factors.
- High amounts of heavy marine traffic, especially large cruise ships and fishing vessels
- Marine pollution
- Commercial threats to prospect for oil in the Balearic Sea
High amounts of marine traffic can result in collisions with the dolphins causing injury or death. High levels of marine pollution can cause dangerously high levels of toxic compounds such as organochlorine (contained in pesticides) to build up in the dolphins’ tissue, causing sickness. Finally, the acoustic surveys necessary to prospect for fossil fuels have been shown to cause pain and damage to the dolphins’ sensitive ears.
Special protective measures
Special measures are currently being fought for by local marine conservation group, Alianza Mar Blava (Blue Sea Alliance) to protect the dolphins and their migratory corridor from further harm. The alliance is a grassroots organisation which was set up specifically to protect the Balearic Sea around Ibiza and Formentera. Not to mention keeping the abundance of marine life that call these waters home, safe from further harm. The dolphin-loving Ibiza Villas 2000 team applaud their efforts and support their important work. Hooray!
Want to see a dolphin in Ibiza?
If you, like us, love dolphins and would love to see them in the wild around Ibiza then you can do a few things to maximise your chances:
- Base yourself in a location, such as San Antonio, where they’re often seen.
- Visit Ibiza in spring, when the chances of sightings are higher.
- Book yourself on a boat trip with a reputable boat rental company that cares for the marine environment.
- Invest in a pair of good old-fashioned binoculars and keep your eyes peeled!
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