Dolphin rescue at Catalan Bay

MEMBERS of the public from Catalan Bay saw that there was a dolphin in distress in the local waters and it appeared to be unable to swim away from the rocks upon which it was being dashed by the waves on Boxing Day.

After alerting the Department of the Environment and Climate Change, the young people involved braved the water and the waves in an attempt move the dolphin to a safer environment. 

After carrying the animal out of the water, it was inspected by officers of the department who found that whilst it had a number of scratches and minor wounds, the dolphin – which they estimated to be between four and five years of age – was not seriously injured although it was stressed.

Worried that the sea was too rough to allow for its release at Catalan Bay, it was decided to move the dolphin to the departments marine base from where HM customs agreed to transport it in one of its RHIBs to calm water were it was released successfully.

The prompt action by the members of public involved in rescue the dolphin and alerting the department almost certainly saved its life.