Due to its long coastline, the Manche is a département favoured by the presence of marine mammals (cetaceans or pinnatopeds)
The Cetaceans :
(including dolphins and whales)
Our region attracts the largest population of large dolphins known in Europe at present. Their size is imposing (more than 3 metres long) and they weigh about 300 kg. They regularly swim close to the coast. However they can often be seen, the marine mammals are not the only ones to be present near our coasts.
In fact, Normandy counts not less than 18 species of marine mammals (ref : Atlas des Mammifères Sauvages de Normandie; GMN; 1988; republished in 2002). Some less known species, are only known because they run ashore - such as the bottle nosed whale. Others, on the other hand, are observed on the sea, such as the common dolphin, the pilot whale, the rieso dolphin or the porpoise.
The Pinnatopeds (seals):
The sea-calf seal and the grey seal are the two settled species of our département. Their chosen habitats are respectively estuaries and rocky coasts. Two other species such as the greenland seal and the annulate (ringed) seal can be occasionally seen on our coasts.
Advice and behaviour when observing these mammals
Nautic development means in the natural environment, more and more reduces the space necessary for the peace of marine mammals, vital for diverse species: letting them evolve freely is essential to their safeguard.
The Cetaceans
They can be observed from Granville lighthouse, the cliffs of Champeaux, the semaphore of Carteret or from La Hague. On the sea, they can be found all along the coasts of our département.
Do not try to approach them: deliberately going towards them can be fatal to the survival of these species and can trigger changes in their behaviour.
You would better let them come to you : curious by nature, they may come and play at the stern of your boat.
The Pinnatopeds
At sea do not approach them, but let them come on their own volition. They can come within a few metres if you remain still.Above all, do not try to observe them on high or low tide bars. During summer, do not come close to young seals, otherwise they die. Disturbing the young seal's mother can lead to the the young seal's drowning- because of the strong streams in our estuaries - or to die of starvation - because of his mother's abandonment.
Further information?
You can send your observations to the G.M.N (Groupe Mammalogique Normand / Normand Mammal Group) thanks to forms available from Granville's Port Office. The information will enrich the "Groupe Mammalogique Normand" 's Normandy data bases and the Centre de Recherche sur les Mammifères Marins's (Marine Mammals research Centre) national data bases , and will allow them to get a better understanding of these sensitive and rare species' biology.
In case you would find a dead animal :
Call the National Beaching Network (Réseau National d’Echouages), co-ordinated by the C.R.M.M of La Rochelle :
Tel. 05 46 44 99 10 (Ministerial bill 01/01 - 18th October 2001).
A local correspondent of the G.M.N. will be informed and will be operational as soon as possible.
Over the past 20 years, the Groupe Mammalogique Normand has dedicated itself to the study of our region's mammals, including marine mammals, and has offered measures of protection to the species and their habitats.
Contact :
The Groupe Mammalogique Normand
Tel. 02 32 42 59 61
place Albert Godal - 50400 Granville
Tél : 02 33 91 33 91
