On the evening of Sunday July 27th, two rare deep-diving True’s beaked whales live stranded at Kilcummin Back Strand, Co. Mayo. (Castlelacken on google maps). This mother and calf pair were seen swimming rapidly into shallow waters just before peak high tide, and subsequently beaching themselves on the shore. Unfortunately, the mother whale died within moments of
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) welcomes the announcement of restrictions on fishing on vessels larger than 18 meters within 6 nautical miles of the coast and baselines. This measure is very welcome as it safeguards forage fish and other species which are so important to support the marine ecosystem. The IWDG acknowledges
Celtic Mist Survey Cruise Leg 07: Derry-Carlingford Skipper: Fiacc First Mate: Jane Marine Biologist: Patrick Crew: Aoife, David, Sorley, Robbie Day 1: Foggy Hellos in Derry We arrived in Derry under a classic Irish fog, the kind that makes everything feel a little more mysterious. One by one, the crew trickled in from all corners;
Celtic Mist Leg 05: Rossaveal – Killybegs Skipper: Pat First mate: Jane Marine biologist: Patrick Assistant Marine biologist: Bláthnaid Crew: Ruth, Christina, Fiona, Theresa Our week aboard the Celtic Mist started in Rossaveal (a small Gaeltacht village & ferry port for the Aran Islands), with the clever thinking of Pat the Skipper, our food supply
Blog 1: On the 19th of June, PhD student Cilia Kootstra and Atlantic Whale Deal project leader Emilie De Loose left Galway and boarded RV Celtic Explorer for a three-week survey. A day earlier the Sea.AI Sentry thermal camera, nicknamed Wall-E, had been mounted on handrail of the crow’s nest and excitement was running high.
Before I get into the meat of this piece, I’d like to tackle an issue which seems to get some people both animated and agitated in equal measure. There is no right or wrong way to refer to this species. Some people use the term “Killer whale” whilst others prefer “Orca”. Neither one is more
From Nice to Ireland: UNOC3 and the Global Momentum for Ocean Protection From June 9th to 13th, 2025, the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) convened in Nice, France, gathering world leaders, scientists, NGOs, Indigenous representatives, youth, and ocean advocates under the urgent banner of safeguarding our ocean. Representing the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
Common Dolphin Rescue, River Moy, Ballina (23 June 2025) A sincere thank you to everyone who responded to the stranding of a live common dolphin in the River Moy in Ballina earlier today (23 June). The dolphin had made its way upstream as far as the SS Crete Boom and became stranded on a sandbar
Shannon Dolphin Survey Blog – Leg 2By Derry Nash, IWDG Member I joined Celtic Mist at Fenit on Saturday May 10. My skipper was Liam Quinn, Mate Irene Reidy and our biologist was Mags Daly. Mags was assisted by an intern, Ailbhe Power. My other companions were Pat O’Brien who has been on many cruises
On the evening of the 9 June 2025, the IWDG received a report of a large carcass floating off the coast of Galway. A few hours later the animal had stranded on Rusheen Bay, Co. Galway. The distinctive white “arm band” on its pectoral fin quickly identified it as a minke whale. The cause of