Biopsy sampling is a powerful tool to understand genetics, feeding ecology and threats caused by pollution. It involves firing a dart (under license) into the whale to collect a small plug of skin and blubber. The skin is used to determine the sex of the whale and can be compared to samples collected elsewhere to
Humpbacks whales sing. They are one of the few baleen whales to vocalise within our frequency range which makes them easier to record than other species. Although humpbacks have been tracked in deep water using bottom mounted hydrophones during their migration, only one attempt has been made to see if they vocalise on the inshore
This project commenced in 2003 to study areas along the Irish south and southwest coast that were thought to be ecologically significant for large whales, namely fin and humpbacks with support from the Heritage Council, Marine Institute and Fáilte Ireland. Cape Clear Island to the Old Head of Kinsale, Co. Cork was surveyed during the