Key Facts
On the evening of April 20, approximately 200 dolphins were spotted in the Uwakai Sea, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The sighting occurred at around 5:05 PM when the patrol vessel Takatsuki from the Uwajima Coast Guard Office was conducting a routine patrol about 3.2 kilometers off the Osakihana Lighthouse in Seiyo City. Crew members aboard the vessel noticed the large group of dolphins, which is considered an exceptionally rare occurrence.
Typically, dolphins travel in pods of 20 to 30 individuals. However, according to the Uwajima Coast Guard Office, this particular sighting involved seven to eight pods converging, resulting in the unusually large group. Among the dolphins, a calf was observed swimming just one meter away from the patrol vessel.
As the Takatsuki slowed its speed, the dolphins approached the vessel playfully, surrounding it from all sides. The group swam alongside the vessel for approximately 15 minutes before dispersing.
A representative from the management division of the Uwajima Coast Guard Office commented, “While we have occasionally spotted a few dolphins or a single pod in the past, seeing such a large number is extremely rare.”
This remarkable event highlights the unique marine life in the Uwakai Sea and underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts by the coast guard.
Source: Uwajima Coast Guard Office
On April 20, around 5:05 PM, approximately 200 dolphins were observed in the Uwakai Sea near Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The sighting occurred during a routine patrol conducted by the Uwajima Coast Guard Office’s vessel Takatsuki, about 3.2 kilometers off the Osakihana Lighthouse in Seiyo City. This event is considered highly unusual, as dolphins typically travel in smaller pods of 20 to 30 individuals. According to the Uwajima Coast Guard Office, this gathering involved seven to eight pods converging into one large group.
During the encounter, the dolphins approached the vessel playfully, with one calf swimming just one meter away. The group surrounded the vessel, swimming alongside it for approximately 15 minutes before dispersing. A representative from the Uwajima Coast Guard Office noted that while smaller groups or individual pods have been spotted in the past, such a large gathering is extremely rare.
This extraordinary sighting underscores the unique marine biodiversity of the Uwakai Sea and highlights the importance of continued monitoring efforts by the coast guard.
Source: Uwajima Coast Guard Office
