Spectacular show off Haifa: Dozens of dolphins jumped in front of researchers

As part of a deep-sea survey on the slopes of Mount Carmel, researchers at the Maurice Kahn Marine Research Station of the School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa and the Delphis Association were thrilled to encounter a large pod of dolphins, consisting of mothers and calves, who amazed with impressive leaps for a long hour. The dolphins were also recorded using acoustic means, and the researchers are now investigating whether two different types of whales were also heard in the survey.

הדולפיננים הפליאו בקפיצות מרשימות, על רקע אוניברסיטת חיפה. צילום: ד"ר אביעד שיינין

Exciting sightings of marine mammals on the slopes of Mount Carmel:

The deep-sea survey was carried out yesterday in the Carmel Slope underwater area aboard the University of Haifa's "Salait" research vessel in collaboration with the AquaOcean Association, as part of ongoing research by the Morris Kahn Deep Sea Station since 2022, led by Dr. Aviad Sheinin, head of the station's superpredators department and co-founder of the Delphis Association, and Viali Meborach, a doctoral student at the Morris Kahn Station who is engaged in research on cetacean communication. "The study indicates that in this area, visual and acoustic observations of marine mammals are recorded with particularly high frequency, compared to the other deep spaces of Israeli waters," notes Dr. Sheinin. According to him, this is a unique area in terms of bottom structure, where the deep sea is closer to the coast compared to the southern coast of Israel.

הדולפינים במהלך הסקר. צילום: עדן ברזילי, תחנת מוריס קאהן לחקר הים

In order to better map the unique ecosystem of the area, the station's researchers recently began conducting dedicated surveys. In yesterday's survey, the researchers used acoustic means (hydrophone) to hear and identify the sounds of marine mammals in the area. Yali Meborach examined the recordings collected in the survey, and according to them, it appears that the sounds of whales - of the species

According to Meborach, "Already at the beginning of the voyage, very clear clicks were heard in the devices, which were apparently made by a whale, Rasshan! In addition to these clicks, additional clicks were recorded at higher frequencies - ones that are beyond the human hearing range and whose origin is still unclear. To be sure, we sent the recordings to experts around the world for consultation, and are now awaiting answers."

However, the highlight of the survey was undoubtedly the observation that occurred towards the end - about 18 km west of Haifa, and at a depth of about 1,000 meters. The researchers, including Dr. Sheinin, Kim Kubo, Haim Lest, and Eden Barzilai, encountered a large pod of about 15 common dolphins, including mothers and calves.

Welcome: "Observing dolphins at the distance and depth in question, without any proximity to fishing boats, gives a glimpse into behavior that has not been observed much in the past and raises fascinating questions, such as 'Are there completely separate schools that remain at depth all the time? What causes dolphins to move away from the shore?'"

Researchers at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station estimate that a right whale was also in the area, based on a recording made during the survey, and the possibility that a right whale was also present is being examined.

Two of the dolphins were identified by the researchers

From reviewing the photographs upon returning to shore, researcher Kim Cobo identified among the individuals the dolphin Mother (MOM) - a familiar individual that was last seen in a deep-sea survey conducted in June 2023 off Haifa, this time with a young calf by her side; as well as dolphin 1504 (which has not yet been named).

הלהקה כללה אימהות וגורים צעירים. צילום: קים קובו, תחנת מוריס קאהן לחקר הים

Dr. Sheinin: "The flock exhibited rich social behavior, including group resting and a nonstop jumping display. These findings reinforce the understanding that the Carmel Slope area constitutes an important habitat for marine mammals in Israel's deep waters, and emphasize the importance of continuing research, documentation, and protection of this unique area."

Have you encountered a marine mammal? Keep your distance, keep curious people away, take pictures,