January Meeting – Sea Creatures

Club member Stuart Baines presented his work with sea mammels along the Yorkshire Coast. This was accompanied by some stunning photography. Stuart talked with obvious enthusiasm about this field, in which he has carved out a niche for himself as a local ‘citizen scientist’. All these animals are being seen at increasing frequencies in the last few years, which in the case of the dolphins particularly, is good news for the local economy in that they undoubtedly attract more visitors to our area. Stuart speculated on why the dolphins have gradually spread southwards from their Scottish strongholds, and also why they are now been seen more frequently in the winter months. Increasing fish stocks and hence population pressure may be the possible explanation, coupled with the undoubtedly increased numbers of observers looking for them.