There are 83 species of whales and dolphins (and porpoises) we know almost nothing about.

There are 28 species of dolphins and whales in the Santa Barbara Channel. We see, typically, common and bottle-nosed dolphins. That was a pod of seven or eight juveniles and females we saw.

Sadly, as is the case with many stranded whales and dolphins, a combination of factors was likely to be the cause of death. Those factors include severe dehydration, some muscle damage, and reduction in kidney function. The animal, once entering the North Sea, would not have been able to feed, and this is the likely cause of the dehydration.

The real threat to whales is whaling, which has endangered many whale species.

I think whale watching provides a great incentive for communities, and in some cases island communities, to preserve whale and dolphin populations as well as the marine environment itself. Conservation at a community level is absolutely vital for whale conservation, or any other maritime conservation, especially when it fuels the economy.

We've seen phenomenal growth over the world since whale watching began in California in 1955 to the late 1980s when it exploded. Growth averages 12 percent a year, compared to overall world tourism of 3 to 4 percent.