Commerson’s dolphins, known locally as ‘Puffing Pigs’, are common in shallow and sheltered nearshore waters around the Falklands, particularly in bays and harbours, favouring water under 100m deep. They are also found in the coastal and inshore waters of the Patagonia, Tiera del Fuego and the Strait of Magellan. They are small, (males 1.44m, females 1.47m) with very distinctive black/grey and white markings. They usually occur in groups of two or three, liking to swim at high speeds, darting through breakers and bow riding or playing in the wake of vessels. They appear to be bottom feeders taking squid, fish and shrimps.

The Falkland Islands Marine Mammals Ordinance 1992 protects all marine mammals in all waters from the coast to the edge of the economic exclusion zone.

Sources include: Sea Mammals of the World-Randall R. Reeves, Brent S. Steware, Phillip J Clapham, James A Powell,Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange

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