Throughout October, November and up to the end of December large baleen whales (mostly fin whales but including sei and humpback whales) were observed on almost 100% of watches under optimum environmental conditions from west Cork. This activity reached fever pitch in the week running up to Christmas, which produced humpback whales (including a mother
Posts Categorized: News
The Irish Government may consider challenging the EU law banning driftnet fishing for tuna from the end of this year.
A sixty foot whale washed ashore at Fahey Bay near Clifden in early September was identified as a Fin whale by a local marine biologist. Galway County Council six days later decided to burn the whale following complaints from people about the smell. The whale was dead when stranded and appeared to have died two
The European Court of Justice has ruled that the Government has failed to fulfil its obligations to schedule habitat areas for protection. The Government is required to set up the sites under a 1992 directive. It was to have issued a full listing of sites
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) was established in December 1990 at the newly opened ENFO office. Representatives from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were present and it was decided that the IWDG would operate throughout the island of Ireland with the mission statement: “dedicated to the study and conservation of
Best spots to watch from/access etc.
Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) reaching lengths of 80ft are second only in size to the blue whale. Dwarfing the minke our most abundant baleen whale, fin whales are neither as rare nor as hard to see as you might think. Their powerful 20ft vapour plumes standing out on the horizon on those clear, calm days.
Ireland Abstains on Vote on South Pacific Sanctuary
With so many cetaceans out there at present and with so many folk contributing to our sighting scheme, IWDG members should be meeting up at local sites for casual sea watches. This is consistent with our objectives of organizing locally, rather than doing everything on a grand nationwide scale. You are likely to live close