This lovely photo of a minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata
West of Aranmore Isl., Co. Donegal on 8/06/07 taken by IWDG member John Rafferty www.johnraffertyphotography.com shows that whales, especially the minke can be seen in all Irish waters.
Also the fact that a Basking shark was observed during an IWDG Ferry Survey from Larne to Cairnryan on Sat 9th June, suggests that their distribution in Irish waters isn’t currently limited to the South coast.
If you’d like to learn more about cetaceans, whale watching and the conservation issues impacting on them in N. Irish waters you might be interested in attending the following one-day course
22nd July, 2007
One-day Cetacean identification & recording course
Loc: HM Coastguard, 24 Clare Road, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim
Contact: ian.enlander@hotmail.co.uk, Ph. 07860408345
Fee: IWDG members £15, Non-members £25
Pádraig Whooley
IWDG Sightings Co-ordinator