2017 had an unusually high number of strandings in Ireland with 263 recorded, way up on previous years. However, as we come to the end of February, a quick look at the records shows a huge increase already this year. In last years 'record' year, 67 strandings were recorded in the first two months of
Posts Categorized: News
As we reach the end of February 2018, we now have an unprecedented 80 dead dolphins (mostly common dolphins) on Irish beaches. To give some idea of the reality of this, here is a collage of half of these – 40 stranded dolphin photos. Viewers may find these pictures upsetting – they are. A grim
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) are at the Ballynature event in Ballynure village, Co. Antrim, this Saturday, 24th February from 12 noon – 5 pm. This has become a major annual event and over 40 organisations will be in attendance. A range of conservation and related bodies will be present and the event effectively takes over the whole
For the last seven years or so, the news from Ireland's seashore has become something of a broken record in late winter/early spring. Each year, the message is the same – ever increasing numbers of stranded cetaceans recorded on the Irish coast. Each year thinking, wow, we must have reached a peak now. And each
About the Event Workshop Leader: Pádraig Whooley, Irish Whale & Dolphin Group Sightings Officer Venue: National Biodiversity Data Centre, Beechfield House, WIT West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford Date: Saturday, 21st April, Time: 10:00 – 16:00 Audience: Beginner and intermediate recorders; possible surveyors, MMO's Fee: €30 standard; €20 student Following on last year's successful 1 day workshop
Report update, Feb. 8th 2018 Andrew Malcolm reports another Co. Waterford fin whale sighting yesterday Wed. 7th Feb. in the area 5-10 Km south of Helvic Head. Due to the distances involved, to observe this and any other whales that may be in the area, good optics will be required. This latest sighting suggests that
Two dolphins were recovered by the IWDG from Co Kerry today for post-mortem examination. thisfollows two more recovered on Saturday, one from north Donegal and one from Inverin, Co Galway. This is part of a contract extension the IWDG in collaboration with the RVL Cork and GMIT won from the Marine Institute and NPWS to
Marine debris in the ocean has become a very hot topic with recent studies of the incidence of extent of plastic contamination of our oceans including the widespread ocurrence of microplastics. This week Derek Mooney produced a one hour radio documentary on the Bergen whale, which was found to have over 30 plastic bags in its stomach. The
20 December 2017 After a number of requests from the IWDG we have finally secured acces to the risk assessment of commercial fishiong in marine SACs. IWDG will review the basis of the MI and Deptartment opinion on risk and respond as appropriate http://www.fishingnet.ie/media/fishingnet/content/fisheriesinnaturaareas/siteassessments/southandwestcoasts/MIArt62RiskAssessmentSouthandWestCoasts071217.pdf IWDG were very happy to receive a long letter from long
We are fortunate in Ireland to have the world’s second-largest animal, the fin whale, frequenting our coastal waters. There are regular sightings of these animals from both boat and land-based watches, especially along the south and southwest coast, sometimes very close to shore – quite a spectacle for such a large animal. While sightings of fin