biscay dolphin research programme

Conservation through scientific investigation

Passengers on our Portsmouth to Bilbao service will be aware of the on board presentations about whales and dolphins that can frequently be seen from the ship.

Talks are led by the ship’s wildlife officer, are informative and fun, and provide a fascinating insight into the incredible variety of marine life teeming in the deep ocean waters below the ship as it crosses the Bay of Biscay.

But there’s a much more serious side to the work of the wildlife officers on board.  They’re not employees of P&O Ferries, but our guests – some of the most respected scientists in the world when it comes to whales and dolphins.

For the past 11 years virtually every sailing of the Pride of Bilbao has included a scientist from the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme, stationed on the ship’s bridge to meticulously record sightings of cetaceans, as whales and dolphins are collectively known.

The result is a unique database of the changing populations of these animals that is put to use the world over.

BDRP publishes the results of its surveys regularly.  Visit their website for the latest news.