The issue over sprat, an essential forage fish that is critical in our coastal ecosystems, providing a link between zooplankton and higher predators such as whales, dolphins, sharks, seabirds, seals and of course other fish, including commercial species, is coming to a head. On the table of the Minister of State (Marine), Timmy Dooley (FF)
IWDG report on Whale Watch Ireland 2025 On Saturday 17th May the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) delivered another Whale Watch Ireland event. All Ireland Whale Watch day, now in its 23rd year, comprises free, guided land-based whale watches, which this year was planned for and delivered at 14 sites in 14
ECS Report The European Cetacean Society (ECS) Conference 2025, held under the theme “Navigating Waters of Change,” brought together scientists, conservationists, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond to address the evolving challenges faced by cetaceans in our rapidly changing oceans. I had the privilege of participating in this dynamic event in multiple roles, contributing
You can find more information and a press release here.
Dolphins, Blue Skies & Days at Sea My first week as a research assistant on board Celtic Mist by Ailbhe Power Greetings from Celtic Mist! My name is Ailbhe, I am a postgraduate student studying ecology and conservation at Queens University Belfast. I have travelled down to Kilrush to work alongside Mags Daly, IWDG Shannon
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Darragh O’Brien has officially announced a new National Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for offshore renewable energy (ORE) in Irish waters. Preparatory work has already commenced in DECC and the exercise will be a re-run of the South Coast DMAP GIS analysis of environmental and marine usage data,
A reflection on the Waterford/Western Scotland Sperm whale Last month we wrote about the sperm whale in Waterford Estuary on March 25th which after spending the day in the shallows around Arthurstown left the estuary that same evening on a falling tide. A week later on April 1st Scottish fishermen saw it around Little Cumbrae
Live Stranding – Common Dolphins at Tarmon, Co. Mayo📍 Thursday 25th April 2024 On Wednesday evening, a call came in about three common dolphins observed swimming in very shallow water at Tarmon, Blacksod, a known live stranding hotspot on the Mullet Peninsula. With the tides not yet at the peak of the spring cycle, there
On the 27th of March 2025, the Jakup Sverri took off from Torshavn, Faroe Islands. Together with an Irish, Dutch and Norwegian ship, researchers would survey the European Atlantic to assess the blue whiting stock. This yearly survey allows for a fair distribution of the stock through national maximum catch limits and the continuous survival
Final Report IV: A team from SMASS (Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme) were on stand by to carry out an investigation of the sperm whale on Wed. 9th, alas it was taken back by the sea on a falling tide and the carcass was lost for a few days, until it came back ashore on