In 1993 boat surveys of the Shannon Estuary recorded 25 individual bottlenose dolphins through photo-identification. Since then the population has been extensively studied revealing that there were at least 145 individuals present In 2015, they are resident within the estuary but move to the nearby bays of Tralee and Brando. They are also genetically discrete from all other Irish bottlenose dolphin populations. Acoustic monitoring is also used to identify areas of importance within the estuary.
The project is based out of the Shannon Dolphin Centre in Kilrush, Co. Clare and is one of the longest running in Europe. It has facilitated many young researchers over the years to develop fieldwork and data handling skills while annually collecting photo-identification data on commercial dolphin watching boats and dedicated survey transects to estimate the population’s size, calving rates and distribution which help evaluate the potential effects caused by the Shannon Estuaries continued industrialisation.
You can support this project by Adopting a Dolphin here. All proceeds go directly to Shannon Dolphin Project so your support will allow us to continue monitoring this population.
Shannon Dolphin Sounds
BottleNose Dolphin clicks
Gunshot 1
BottleNose Dolphin clicks and whistles
Collection of dolphin vocalisations
Shannon Dolphin
Project Publications
Latest Publication: Ludwig, K.E., Daly, M., Levesque, S. and Berrow, S.D. (2021) Survival Rates and Capture Heterogeneity of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland
Latest Publication: Carmen, M., Berrow, S.D., O’Brien, J.M. (2021) Foraging Behavior of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland as Determined through Static Acoustic Monitoring
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NEWS
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Posted in: News Shannon Dolphin Project
Shannon Dolphin Project: Adolescence
Celebrating 30 Years of Shannon Dolphin Project
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Posted in: News Shannon Dolphin Project
The Shannon Dolphin Story: Conception
Celebrating 30 Years of Shannon Dolphin Project
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Posted in: News Shannon Dolphin Project
Shannon Dolphin Project Interns Blog V
Shannon Dolphin Project Intern Blog
Sorcha Maguire
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Posted in: News Shannon Dolphin Project
Shannon Dolphin Project Interns Blog IV
Shannon Dolphin Project Intern Blog
Kirsten Wohak
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Posted in: News Shannon Dolphin Project
Shannon Dolphin Project Interns Blog III
Shannon Dolphin Project Intern Blog
Megan Keville
Our inshore survey vessel, Muc Mhara is used to monitor the Shannon Dolphin population.
In 2019, a new engine was purchased for this RIB and was partly funded by the LEADER program managed by the Clare Local Development Company (CLDC).
Shannon Estuary Monitoring Service
The Shannon Pilots assist the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group to get a better understanding of movement and habits of the resident bottlenose dolphins on the Shannon Estuary. The pilots report dolphin sightings and log them online to assist the ongoing monitoring performed by the Shannon Dolphin Project. IWDG are very grateful to Patrick Galvin for this initiative and all the pilots for supporting it.
