Minke Whale

• Irish name: An Droimeiteach beag
• Latin name: Balaenoptera acutorostrata
• Size: 8.5 – 10m
• Diet: Sprat, sand eel and herring

DESCRIPTION:

This species’ diagnostic feature is its white “arm band” which wraps around each flipper and are visible underwater at close range. They have a pointed head and a “sickle shaped” dorsal fin situated two thirds along the body. Their colouration is black overall with a white underside and cream coloured baleen plates.

BEHAVIOUR:

Minke whales tend to be wary of boats where they surface intermittently and disappear. They occasionally become inquisitive and approach vessels while spy hopping. Blows are rarely visible, but are frequently audible and they occasionally breach and may well breach more frequently in choppier seas.

IN IRELAND:

Minke whales are Irelands smallest and most abudant baleen whale. They are spotted from the spring to mid winter months feeding in the coastal waters, most frequently seen in the south, southwest of Ireland.

Strandings occure annually, predominantly on the west coast of Ireland. While most years 1-6 minke whales are found stranded, 14 and 12 were found in 2021 and 2023 respectively.