The Avilés Trench, a paradise for cetaceans

Add a comment July 4th, 2010 valieriy
The deep-sea trench which crosses the area of Peña in Avilés, Spain, provides a perfect habitat for cetacean species such as porpoises, pilot whales, fin whales, sperm whales and three dolphin varieties.
The best spot for whales watching in the coastline of Asturias and one of the best of the Cantabrian Sea coastline begins seven miles from the coast of Avilés.
The results of the last research conducted in Asturias by the biologists Arturo Ruano, Paloma Silva and Sergio Solano, showed that the deep-sea trench of Avilés is one of the marine locations that provides the best environment for the growing and development of species such as porpoises, pilot whales, fin whales, sperm whales, three dolphin species and the Cuvier’s beaked whale. “This area provides plenty of natural resources and a remarkable quantity of nutrients. Therefore, a variety of protected species can be found in this area such as the bottlenose dolphin or the porpoise. In this area, there are whale species that have more than 20meters long as well”, said Paloma Silva.
The research conducted by these biologists between 2004 and 2008, in collaboration with several volunteers, is the most complete among the ones already done in the Cantabrian Sea area in front of Asturias. The principality commissioned the biologists a technical study to determine the potential protection areas for marine life. Therefore, the scientists combed the entire area onboard a sailboat called “Rillón”. “Before our research, we only had some sporadic outings made by the university and a systematic data collection about beached animals. On the other hand, we made a grid of this area and sampled each square of it at least one time 12miles deep”, said Silva. It was hard work, “we made straight trajectories at a speed of 5knots per hour registering all the animals we had the chance to see during the day”, said Paloma Silva. However, the biologist thinks that this research it’s not enough. “To have reliable data about migration, habits and reproduction, it is necessary to conduct ongoing studies. Unfortunately, our sponsorship finished with the economic crisis. It is sad to see that there isn’t enough interest in studying our coast which is the richest one in terms of marine life, especially cetaceans”.
The biologists centered their activity especially in the areas of “El Cachucho”, the Lastres Trench and the Avilés Trench, being this last one the place where they registered more cetaceans. The abundance of these marine mammals showed the richness the marine ecosystem of this area has. “The species we have found provide an idea of the biological status and conditions of the environment. To find cetaceans in a determined marine area, the same as finding otters in a river, shows that the area is rich in every sense”.
Paloma Silva assured that the Avilés trench would be perfect for whale watching expeditions, but it is difficult because the bad weather the area has most part of the year. “It’s quite easy to find dolphins or pilot whales, but the weather conditions make it really difficult to organize watching trips”. The biologist dismissed the possibility of organizing interacting activities with these animals in their natural environment, “It is not a good idea to swim with the dolphins, like it is done in Canarias or in the strait because these marine animals don’t have to be disturbed”, she said.
These cetaceans species coexist in a large deep-sea trench, one of the deepest in the world, and it has a wide species biodiversity including creatures form the depths such as giant squids, and a great variety of essential nutrients for the reproduction of the main commercial fish species such as the hake, the angler fish, that can be found in the fishing grounds located in the surrounding continental shelf.
During these commercial fishing activities, sharks and cetaceans are often fished accidentally. Nowadays, it is open a discussion about the closure of the fishing grounds to protect the marine ecosystem. With this respect, Paloma Silva has her own opinion, “The fact that the Avilés Trench needs to be under some kind of protection is clear, because the biological worth it has. But it is necessary to make more studies to determine the type of protection the area requires. A deep knowledge of this area is essential for an effective protection plan”, she said.

The deep-sea trench which crosses the area of Peña in Avilés, Spain, provides a perfect habitat for cetacean species such as porpoises, pilot whales, fin whales, sperm whales and three dolphin varieties.

The best spot for whales watching in the coastline of Asturias and one of the best of the Cantabrian Sea coastline begins seven miles from the coast of Avilés.

The results of the last research conducted in Asturias by the biologists Arturo Ruano, Paloma Silva and Sergio Solano, showed that the deep-sea trench of Avilés is one of the marine locations that provides the best environment for the growing and development of species such as porpoises, pilot whales, fin whales, sperm whales, three dolphin species and the Cuvier’s beaked whale. “This area provides plenty of natural resources and a remarkable quantity of nutrients. Therefore, a variety of protected species can be found in this area such as the bottlenose dolphin or the porpoise. In this area, there are whale species that have more than 20meters long as well”, said Paloma Silva.

The research conducted by these biologists between 2004 and 2008, in collaboration with several volunteers, is the most complete among the ones already done in the Cantabrian Sea area in front of Asturias. The principality commissioned the biologists a technical study to determine the potential protection areas for marine life. Therefore, the scientists combed the entire area onboard a sailboat called “Rillón”. “Before our research, we only had some sporadic outings made by the university and a systematic data collection about beached animals. On the other hand, we made a grid of this area and sampled each square of it at least one time 12miles deep”, said Silva. It was hard work, “we made straight trajectories at a speed of 5knots per hour registering all the animals we had the chance to see during the day”, said Paloma Silva. However, the biologist thinks that this research it’s not enough. “To have reliable data about migration, habits and reproduction, it is necessary to conduct ongoing studies. Unfortunately, our sponsorship finished with the economic crisis. It is sad to see that there isn’t enough interest in studying our coast which is the richest one in terms of marine life, especially cetaceans”.

The biologists centered their activity especially in the areas of “El Cachucho”, the Lastres Trench and the Avilés Trench, being this last one the place where they registered more cetaceans. The abundance of these marine mammals showed the richness the marine ecosystem of this area has. “The species we have found provide an idea of the biological status and conditions of the environment. To find cetaceans in a determined marine area, the same as finding otters in a river, shows that the area is rich in every sense”.

Paloma Silva assured that the Avilés trench would be perfect for whale watching expeditions, but it is difficult because the bad weather the area has most part of the year. “It’s quite easy to find dolphins or pilot whales, but the weather conditions make it really difficult to organize watching trips”. The biologist dismissed the possibility of organizing interacting activities with these animals in their natural environment, “It is not a good idea to swim with the dolphins, like it is done in Canarias or in the strait because these marine animals don’t have to be disturbed”, she said.

These cetaceans species coexist in a large deep-sea trench, one of the deepest in the world, and it has a wide species biodiversity including creatures form the depths such as giant squids, and a great variety of essential nutrients for the reproduction of the main commercial fish species such as the hake, the angler fish, that can be found in the fishing grounds located in the surrounding continental shelf.

During these commercial fishing activities, sharks and cetaceans are often fished accidentally. Nowadays, it is open a discussion about the closure of the fishing grounds to protect the marine ecosystem. With this respect, Paloma Silva has her own opinion, “The fact that the Avilés Trench needs to be under some kind of protection is clear, because the biological worth it has. But it is necessary to make more studies to determine the type of protection the area requires. A deep knowledge of this area is essential for an effective protection plan”, she said.

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