DATELINE: 13 November 2002

MORAY FIRTH DOLPHINS GET FEISTY OVER FOOD

Bottlenose dolphins in the world's most northerly pod are reported to be acting aggressively towards other species as overfishing makes food scarce in their Moray Firth home.
Researchers from Aberdeen University have noted a marked change in the behaviour of the normally placid animals. The report comes in the same week that experts have warned that cod is likely to be extinct in the North Sea unless fishing for it is suspended.
Roughly 130 bottlenose dolphins lived in the Moray Firth, but up to a quarter are believed to have moved south in search of food. The remainder have resorted to attacking other species such as harbour porpoises, and have even taken nips at the human researchers as the competition for food becomes intense.
A three year project is being launched by the University to study the movements of the dolphins as they respond to the shortage of food.