From Sanctuary to Society: IWDG at CommOCEAN 2026 The 7th CommOCEAN conference took place on 2–3 September, with an icebreaker reception on 1 September. This year’s theme was “Communication for and within the UN Ocean Decade: Setting Sails for 2030.” For me, the conference was particularly meaningful as I was not only attending to learn
Atlantic Whale Deal this, Atlantic Whale Deal that… You may have heard the name of this project a handful of times if you have been keeping up with our blogs and ezines. For almost three years now the IWDG has been joining research vessels on the Atlantic Ocean for this project, but what is the
With summer coming to a close, some of the Irish whales and dolphins couldn’t help but strap on their wellies and pack their tents for a proper landlocked party. They were kind enough to bring the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group with them. For the third year in a row the IWDG was invited by
Estuary Watch 2026: A Successful Day on the Shannon Estuary As part of National Heritage Week, Estuary Watch 2026 took place on Saturday, 22 August, bringing communities together on both sides of the Shannon Estuary to celebrate its rich natural and maritime heritage. Loop Head WP Carrigaholt Castle WP Killimer Ferry Terminal WP Estuary Watch
New research has shown that Fungie’s (the Dingle Dolphin) genetic make-up was a mix between the Shannon Estuary bottlenose dolphin population and the Offshore population. In Ireland there are three genetically discrete populations of bottlenose dolphins: the Shannon Estuary, which is a relatively small population mostly found in the Shannon Estuary, a second Coastal population
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Chris O’Sullivan TD was in Fenit, Co. Kerry on Thursday, August 6th1 to announce a major funding programme for the restoration and protection of marine habitats in Tralee Bay. The Tralee Bay Marine Biodiversity Restoration Project will receive €7.9 million over five years with the specific aims
Atlantic Whale Deal: Leg 2 of WESPAS aboard the Celtic Explorer By onboard MMO Leah Moynihan, IWDG I spent three weeks onboard the RV Celtic Explorer as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), and it was one of the most exciting and eye-opening experiences I have ever had. As a newly graduated marine biology student, I
In spring 2026, IWDG officers Cian Ó Nialáin and Eva Lambert managed to escape the office and run a series of events up and down Ireland’s coast. With the help of Fair Seas, the IWDG Local Groups Road Show shared stories, skills and citizen science in twelve of Ireland’s sixteen coastal counties. The aim of
The IWDG coordinate three sighting schemes: the Casual scheme where sightings are made while going about your business, Ship surveys where sightings are collected with recording effort on ships of opportunity and the Effort scheme where timed watches are carried out from land which may, or may not, result ion a sighting being recorded. The
A Significant Step for Marine Protection This week marked an important step forward for marine protection in Ireland, with the publication of the Heads of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill 2026. The long-awaited Bill represents a significant milestone in Ireland’s efforts to better protect its marine environment. It outlines the proposed