Shannon dolphins Some stories of note Extreme noise at sea A threat to sea mammals - Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Summer 2020 €4.00 UK£3.45 ISSN 2565-6473 Issue No 3 Shannon dolphins Extreme noise at sea Distinguished contributors Some stories of note A threat to sea mammals The volunteer awards
FROM THE EDITOR
issuE 3
❝
Flukes is the membership magazine
of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Social media lifeline
The organisation promotes better
W
understanding of Irish cetaceans and
their habitats through education and
research.
irish Whale and Dolphin Group
elcome to the Spring The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is
a company limited by guarantee and
2020 issue of Flukes. registered in Dublin.
While our human Charity No: CHY 11163
population struggles to Charity Regulatory Authority No:
220029913
cope with the current Our ‘Flukey Fridays’ Registered office: Merchants Quay,
pandemic, life in our oceans goes on. Kilrush, Co Clare, V15 E762
The Irish whale and dolphin season is initiative aims to become Tel: (065) 905 1763
Email: enquiries@iwdg.ie
kicking off. Although we have many
species occurring year-round in Ireland,
a weekly wildlife highlight Website: www.iwdg.ie
some such as minke and humpback for the people of Ireland Officers
Dr Simon Berrow
whales are migratory, arriving in April to Chief Executive Officer
feed in our rich inshore waters, when they Trea Heapes
Group Coordinator
become more visible along our coasts. & Communications Officer
In this issue of Flukes we feature the Pádraig Whooley
bottlenose dolphin population in the Sightings Officer
A series of activities and events got Mick O’Connell
Shannon estuary, which the IWDG has Strandings Officer
underway in recent weeks to engage with
been studying for 27 years now, since Seán O’Callaghan
IWDG members and the public, of all Science Officer & Magazine Editor
1993. While they are considered a
ages, during the current Covid-19 Dave Wall
“resident” population, we still have Conservation Officer
restrictions; these include ‘Flukey Sibéal Regan
much to learn about their movements.
Fridays’ with our Education and Outreach Education & Outreach Officer
Photo-identification is a most powerful Cathy Gibson
Officer Sibéal Regan, which is sure to
tool, enabling us to track individual Northern Ireland Officer
become a weekly wildlife highlight in Pádraic de Bhaldraithe
animals and tell their stories. Irish Language Officer
Ireland.
The IWDG has been telling other stories Frances Bermingham
We have also been increasing our social Membership Officer
in recent months. The Whale Tales
media outreach through some engaging Susanne Matejka
gathering and AGM that we held in Dublin Book-keeper
and educational posts. These have Mags Daly
last November replaced our standard
increased our profile and led to more Shannon Dolphin Project
AGM, with a series of talks from officers, Karen van Dorp
members. So, the IWDG continues to
partners, members and guest speaker Welfare Officer
grow. Stephanie Levesque
Dr Conor Ryan. Over one hundred Celtic Mist Officer
people attended and it brought the Tony Whelan
seán O’Callaghan, Editor Film-maker
whole group together very nicely.
Directors
Brendan Quinn (Chair)
Conal O’Flanagan (Secretary)
Core sponsors of the Irish Dr Nóirín Burke
Whale and Dolphin Group: Fiacc O’Brolchain
Frances Bermingham
Eamonn Clarke
Flukes is published by the Irish Whale
and Dolphin Group (IWDG) twice a
Editor year. The material published in
Seán O’Callaghan Flukes by the editorial team and
Tel: 085 776 4918 (working hours only) contributors, and the views expressed
Email: sean.ocallaghan@iwdg.ie therein, must not be taken as official
IWDG policy unless specifically stated.
Design and layout Copy deadline for the Winter 2020
Cóilín MacLochlainn issue of Flukes is Friday, September
Email: coilinmaclochlainn99@gmail.com ON THE COVER 25th, 2020.
Bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Printing: GPS Colour Graphics Ltd,
estuary Alexander Road, Belfast BT6 9HP
Advertising PHOTO: KATHERINA REuSCH
enquiries@iwdg.ie Panel photographs, from left:
PARTiCiPATiON AND RiSK
Readers of Flukes are reminded that
Contributors Bottlenose dolphin ‘Sarafina’ with her whalewatching (or watching any
calf ‘No 860’ in the Shannon estuary cetacean species), at sea or from
Simon Berrow, Mags Daly, Trea Heapes, Cathy Gibson, Hannah PHOTO: ISABEL BAKER land, is an activity with a danger of
Keogh, Stephanie Levesque, Fiacc O’Brolchain, Seán O’Callaghan, personal injury or death. Participants
Mick O’Connell, Conal O’Flanagan, Mick O’Meara, Louise Overy, Air guns being deployed in seismic should be aware of and accept these
survey in Irish offshore waters
Sibeál Regan, Dave Wall, Pádraig Whooley PHOTO: DAVE WALL
risks and be responsible for their own
actions and involvement.
David Williams, award-winning volunteer
2 Flukes surveyor for IWDG (see story, p22) Summer 2020
PHOTO: jOANNE O’BRIEN
NEWS
Whale Tales Dublin
Trea Heapes looks back on the iWDG Annual Meeting
By Trea Heapes,
Communications Officer
Whale Tales is the IWDG’s annual
gathering, where we share our stories
and put faces to the names of those
involved. IWDG members and any
others with an interest in whales,
dolphins and porpoises are welcome
to join us in appreciating and admiring
these charismatic animals at this
annual event.
Whale Tales 2019, held last
November in Dublin, kicked off on the
Friday evening with an informal get-
together and catch-up of old friends.
A series of video clips, presented by
Tony Whelan, showcased research
currently being undertaken by the
IWDG.
Saturday boasted an attendance of Kate O’Brien with John, Dixie and Mary Collins
more than one hundred people and
was filled with scientific talks, personal Pádraig Whooley and Mick 2019 through Distinguished
stories and invaluable feedback from O’Connell, our Sightings and Contributor Awards. James
members. Local group representatives Strandings Officers respectively, Hedderman received the ‘Best Use
from Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Clare and summarised their specific recording of IWDG Data’ award. The ‘Cetacean
Kerry spoke about their experiences schemes and highlighted emerging Sighting Scheme’ award went to
and encounters with cetaceans during trends, such as peak sighting times
David Williams, with the ‘Cetacean
2019. The enthusiasm of these groups and significant strandings.
Stranding Scheme’ award going to
was an inspiration to all present. You could have heard a pin drop as
Kevin Delahunty. Finally, Neil
The IWDG Education & Outreach Dr Conor Ryan shared his stories and
Officer, sibéal Regan, reiterated her Barnaby was the well-deserved
photos of travelling to the remotest
call for more people to get involved of places while studying whales and recipient of the ‘Work Done on Celtic
with the IWDG, offering hands-on dolphins and researching potentially Mist’ award (see also page 22).
training and support to groups sustainable fishing methodologies. A fantastic event full of exciting
interested in running regular local The IWDG recognised the stories of encounters with Ireland’s
watches. outstanding work of members for fabulous giants
Appointments
By simon Berrow, CEO
We welcome Karen van Dorp to the role
of Welfare Officer with the IWDG. Karen
Photographs: Frances Bermingham
has recently moved to Ireland from the
Netherlands, where she worked on large
whales at the university of Leiden. Her first
task is to draft a Large Whale Stranding
Protocol (see page 19).
Also returning to Ireland is Stephanie
Levesque, who is our Celtic Mist Officer
and helped run the Shannon Dolphin
Project in Kilrush; she returns as Celtic Mist
Officer once again. Two great women to
Conor Ryan (third from left) and family at Whale Tales Dublin further the work of the IWDG
Summer 2020 Flukes 3
SIGHTINGS I observed a small group mid-Irish Sea
from the Ulysses ferry. It’s possible that
this species is under-recorded in the Irish
Sea in winter.
■ Remarkably, almost 50% of all
bottlenose dolphin sightings were from
counties Down, Antrim and Derry,
although I should point out that we don’t
include known residents or resident
populations, such as those in the Shannon
estuary. But it was nice to see the return
of the individual known as Nimmo to the
Galway Docks area on February 1st.
■ The biggest aggregation of minke
Humpback whale HBiRL 78, off Hook Head, Co Wexford, on January 8th 2017 whales was in a feeding area off Black Ball
Head, Beara, Co Cork, on October 27th
and comprised about eleven individuals.
Sightings review One week later, an IWDG Donegal charter
out of Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, produced a
really nice tally of six minkes.
Sightings Officer Pádraig Whooley analyses the sightings ■ Humpbacks were largely unrecorded
O
results for October 2019 to March 2020 over the winter, but blows off Galley Head
on March 31st and Crow Head, Beara, the
following day, were likely the first signs
ver the six-month period Table 1. Breakdown of cetacean
that the humpback season was imminent.
1st of October 2019 to records in autumn/winter 2019/20
Our biggest humpback news story,
31st of March 2020 IWDG
species % of sightings however, was generated over 4,200 km
received and validated
away, when, on March 10th, researchers
348 sightings, which included one Harbour porpoise 42
photographed a whale off Boa Vista,
record of a rare hooded seal. This is Common dolphin 14 Cabo Verde, which the North Atlantic
a lower number of records than we’d
Bottlenose dolphin 13 Humpback Whale Catalogue confirmed
typically expect during winter. For
was our HBiRL 78. This individual was
instance, for the same period in Minke whale 8
recorded by IWDG over two seasons
2018/19 we received reports of
Fin whale 6 along the Wexford and West Cork coasts
458 sightings. So, what’s underpinning
during 2017 (see photo). This was an
this 24% decline in records? One word: Humpback whale 4 important second match to the Cabo
“WEATHER!” In fact three words:
Risso’s dolphin 1 Verde breeding ground.
“Bloody awful weather.”
In over twenty years of living on the non-species category 12
south coast, I can’t recall a winter as
Covid-19 pandemic
The Covid-19 flu pandemic is unlikely to
bad, with the worst of the elements This simple table, when compared have impacted on sightings during this
coming together to produce an with the previous six-month period period, but the isolation measures and
Atlantic conveyor belt of storms, (see Flukes No 2), tells an interesting travel restrictions that kicked in during
starting with Atiyah, followed by what story, as we can see a marked late March will certainly impact on our
seemed like a weekly roster of difference in the rankings of our three summer 2020 sightings, as the vast
storms... Brendan, Ciara, Dennis, Ellen baleen whales, the smallest of which, majority of us don’t have access to a
and others. the minke, drops from 2nd to 4th place, suitable vantage point within 5 km of our
But even with fewer opportunities with our most charismatic whale, the homes. Tempting though it may be, with
to observe cetaceans, the recording humpback, dropping from 3rd to 6th our whale season just about to kick off,
scheme is capable of providing us with place. Only our largest inshore whale, we’d ask IWDG members to adhere to all
Photograph: Andrew Malcolm (Humpback whale)
a useful sample of inshore activity. the fin whale, ranks higher, with a rise travel restrictions and social distancing
We’d need an enormous budget and a from 7th to 5th place. This reflects the guidelines as we move into this critical
staff the size of a small government trend in recent years of both minke and phase of the fight against this global
department if we were to record and humpback whales arriving earlier each flu pandemic.
validate every single cetacean that year, with only the fin whale clinging to We will continue to make the very latest
occurred in Irish waters. This is not our what used to be our historic late sightings available on www.iwdg.ie, but we
objective, as it’s a qualitative and not a autumn peak for large whales. would ask that you DO NOT travel beyond
quantitative exercise. As long as the the new limit of 5 km announced on May
Sightings Scheme achieves good Species roundup 1st. Hopefully, there will be whales a’plenty
geographic coverage and maintains a ■ The biggest cluster of harbour to be enjoyed after we are Covid-free.
high standard in terms of the level of porpoise sightings was along the
•
Stay safe and well
proof being provided, then even during Wicklow and Dublin coast.
extended periods of unsettled weather ■ Common dolphins were most widely THANK YOu We extend a big thank you to all
our members and supporters for reporting their
it can be a powerful tool for detecting distributed between counties Kerry and sightings to us. Keep them coming, if you can
what’s out there, where and when. Waterford, although on December 2nd access the coast within your 5 km limit.
4 Flukes Summer 2020
STRANDINGS while yet before results from the
NPWS/Marine institute Necropsy
Scheme, carried out by the IWDG
with GMIT and Cork Regional Vet
Labs, are published, and there is no
doubt that there are various natural
and anthropogenic reasons for
dolphins dying, but the big question
that needs to be asked is: ‘Why such
an increase in ten years?’ Several of
the carcasses that washed ashore
Stranded common dolphin carcass showed obvious physical signs of
having been caught in fishing nets
(with ropes on tails, broken jaws, fins
Strandings review cut off, etc).
As all cetaceans are protected
species, there is a moral and legal
obligation at an Eu level to
i
Strandings Officer Mick O’Connell reviews the strandings
records in Ireland between January 1st and March 31st 2020 investigate what effects human
interactions are having on them
t’s now been ten years since beaked whale species (1), minke whale (particularly on common dolphins
numbers of recorded cetacean (1), Risso’s dolphin (1) and sperm whale between january and March) and,
strandings (especially of common (1). if found necessary, what mitigation
dolphins) started to increase Recording strandings involves lots of measures would be feasible.
dramatically in Ireland, especially during figures and percentages, which are fine The word ‘strandings’ continues to
january, February and March. Each year, for giving a factual overview, but, from cause some confusion, as people
as December draws to a close and a new a welfare and conservation point of think this only refers to live cetacean
year begins, I start to wonder if the new view, they may not give a good strandings (and we can’t think of a
year will be different and will strandings representation of the actual situation more suitable word!), but live
drop to pre-2011 levels. For these three for the species we are talking about. To strandings only account for around
months, 2018 had the highest recorded give a better idea of the reality (I hope), 10% of all stranding records annually.
total, with 105 cetacean strandings I have included two maps, both covering In the first three months of 2020, we
(more than in all of 2010, as a matter of the months of january, February and had nine reported live strandings,
interest), closely followed by 2017 (92) March, with each red dot representing a but what was unusual was that six of
and 2016 (89). However, the first quarter stranded common dolphin. The first these were in west Kerry.
of 2020 now has the highest numbers of map is from 2007 (I chose this year as it It is interesting to note that three
strandings ever recorded in Ireland, with had the highest numbers of stranded dead Cuvier’s beaked whales have
25 received in january, 45 in February common dolphins for the decade 2001- been recorded in Ireland so far this
and 39 in March, giving a grand total 2010). The second map is from 2020. year. This becomes more remarkable
of 109. As we have repeated (ad nauseum... when you consider that four
It is no surprise at this stage that 53% sorry, but I’ll stop when the numbers individuals of this species were
of all the species washed ashore were reduce significantly), recorded recorded stranding in the southwest
common dolphins (58). Other strandings may be less than ten percent in December 2019, and that 12 pilot
strandings were of harbour porpoises of animals dying at sea, which would whales (another deep-diving species)
(12), pilot whales (12), common or give Ireland the dubious honour of have stranded since january 1st this
striped dolphins (8), striped dolphins having numbers of dead common year.
(4), bottlenose dolphins (3), Cuvier’s dolphins similar to the annual carnage Strange times we live in, in too
beaked whales (3), unidentified on the west coast of France. It will be a many ways!
Common dolphin strandings Common dolphin strandings
January 1st to March 31st 2007 January 1st to March 31st 2020
Photograph and maps: IWDG
Summer 2020 Flukes 5
Niam
CELTIC MIST
h
Annette
Oiling...
lazarette has been
cleaned and tidied, and
there is a new hatch on the
way with hydraulic struts to
Celtic Mist in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin stop it removing fingers. All of the 2020 programme,
The central heating flue Floating Classroom and cruises
has been renewed and the to Scotland and the north and
Celtic Mist works heating is now almost
instant, as the water heater
west coasts are put back a year.
is out of this system. There
Fiacc O’Brolchain and Mick O’Meara report are repairs being carried
on the refit to our research yacht Celtic Mist out on the mattresses
and new doors
being put in for
the skipper and
crew cabins back
aft. All the fire
s a n
extinguishers have
been serviced, all
the flares renewed,
and there is a full set
S u
Mick
Galley ‘slave’...
of lifejackets,
complete with spray
hoods, on the way.
The main man... The result of all of this is that
T
we could be ready to put to sea
Electrician... in a week, if the opportunity
arises. It may be that we will get
he winter refit was bar. Along with the july and August at sea. If so, this
up to speed and on ever-present will be on the east and south
schedule when our chipping and coasts. Watch this space!
best-laid plans went painting, there is
Liam
awry. As of now, our 2020 now a new four-
season has been cancelled burner cooker with
and we wait to see what the oven and grill. The At present there are no
future may offer. Many thanks old water heater trips organised on Celtic
to all of the team for their is gone, and a new Mist this summer. This will
continued hard work and calorifier installed. This be reviewed in July. Please
patience; they are what keeps means hot water whenever The outboard has a new watch out for updates on
the Celtic Mist project going. the engine has been prop, and the rib is repaired ezine to members.
The work to date on Celtic running a while, or when and good to go.
Mist has once again raised the plugged into shore The plan to lift the vessel
power. in Howth has been put back
The bilge pump to spring 2021. It
Photographs: Seamus Fitzgerald
plumbing is tidier would not be
Paul
Sanding... and more efficient: possible, as we
no more pumping depend on
bilge-water from volunteer labour to
bilge to bilge. The do the necessary
grey-water tank is work.
Linda
largely out to grass, We plan to stay
and there is a new, where we are in Grand Hatch work...
automatic galley sink Canal Dock, which is
pump system. The safe and stress-free.
6 Flukes Summer 2020
POLICY A time for change? By simon Berrow, CEO With each general election we have the opportunity to change things; put a new party in power, a new leader, new priorities or an endorsement of previous policies. Our recent election has been seen as a demand for “change.” So what are the Irish people demanding to change, and what would the IWDG like to see on the political agenda? Although already a legal government obligation under the Marine strategy Framework Directive, greater progress on the identification and management of Marine Conservation Zones is a high priority. Recent consultation on implementation suggests our government is barely doing the minimum required, rather than embracing the opportunity to really achieve healthy and vibrant seas – pretty important for an island with over 90% of its territory under water. The IWDG considers that a tiered approach to Marine Conservation Zones, with different management strategies from complete restrictions to time-area closures, or restrictions on activities shown to be detrimental to cetaceans and their habitats, is more effective and practicable. These management strategies have to be developed with real stakeholder involvement or else they will not work. Wildlife management is constrained by our chronically under-resourced National Parks and Wildlife Service. Its budget should be increased immediately and each year thereafter. Funding should be ring-fenced to deliver key actions, including research, education and recording, and management actions. Funding to increase staffing levels (e.g., to administer these extra activities located if possible outside Dublin to bring more jobs to rural areas) is important. Despite new emerging pressures such as increased ocean noise and threats from persistent pollutants, the greatest immediate impact on cetaceans is commercial fishing. As a minimum, we must protect important prey species that whales, dolphins and porpoises depend on. Forage fish should not be fished, as these are more valuable to Ireland if left in the sea, where they support a range of species such as whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds as well as commercial fish species, and where they support marine tourism and angling, rather than being removed as low value fish-food. Whales and dolphins live in an acoustic world which is being degraded by anthropogenic sound (see pages 10-11). The IWDG supports noise reduction measures, including sound mitigation and quieter ships. We support policies to stop seismic surveying for oil and gas in Irish waters. Leave these reserves in the ground and do not extract to burn. Tackling foreign navies operating in Irish waters is difficult, but the IWDG requires our government to work with the EU and other nations to ban the use of mid- and low-frequency active sonar within Irish waters. These types of sonar can result in mortality of deep-diving species in our offshore waters. No meaningful mitigation is possible, as our shelf slopes and abyssal waters are used by a wide range of cetaceans all year round • FIND OuT MORE See https://iwdg.ie/a-programme-for- government-to-protect-our-whales-dolphins-and- porpoise-and-their-habitats or go to bit.ly/iWDGprogramme. Photo: Inis staff enjoying a day of Summer 2020 whale watching off West Cork
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
■ News roundup from Education & Outreach Officer Sibéal Regan
Galway live stranding course
have the confidence and knowledge to respond to a live
stranding event near them, a live stranding course was
held in the Galway Atlantaquaria, Salthill, in February,
attended mainly by members of the Galway local group and
Galway County Council. It was a fantastic event; on a cold
and windy day, a realistic setting for members to get a
sense of what is involved in responding to a live stranding.
It is important that members are aware of current best
practice regarding a live stranded cetacean and have the
practical skills to stabilise the animal and to understand
how to respond in the most appropriate way when, or if,
they come face-to-face with a beached whale
• FIND OuT MORE Anybody wishing to start a local group
or arrange a live stranding course please contact
IWDG local groups have been on the rise in recent years, sibeal.regan@iwdg.ie.
particularly with the establishment of the Sligo and Mayo
local groups and the rejuvenation of our Galway local
group, which was driven by an influx of new members.
To facilitate this growth, and to ensure that our members
people together while staying apart, by sharing your whale
tales and promoting ocean literacy every Friday on iWDG
Facebook Live at 11.00am.
Flukey Art competition
As part of the IWDG education and outreach programme, we
have also launched a Flukey Art competition. This is aimed
at children aged 13 years or younger. If you or your children
would like to send us your marine wildlife-themed art, please
Photographs: Sibéal Regan (live stranding course), Simon Berrow (Sibéal Regan)
Sibéal Regan with model of humpback fluke email a picture or a scanned copy to education@iwdg.ie
with your name, age and location. The winner of the Flukey
Art competition will be announced in june
Flukey Fridays
Considering the spread of COVID-19 and the threat it
poses to public health, we decided to cancel Floating
Classroom 2020, our main education and outreach event
of the year. This was unfortunate. However, we still
strongly believe in ocean literacy and raising awareness
about whales and dolphins in Irish waters. So, to keep
promoting ocean literacy and to keep people of all ages
entertained and engaged, we decided to take this
opportunity to try something new and positive.
Flukey Friday is our new outreach programme,
sponsored by inis. Flukey Friday uses Facebook Live as
an interactive, online virtual classroom and is designed to
keep everyone engaged and entertained with fun facts
and other developments during isolation.
Flukey Friday is being very well received. Engaging with
both children and adults alike, our second Flukey Friday
session received over 2,000 views as well as several
questions through our education@iwdg.ie email address
and in the comments section during the live session.
Although this is a difficult time, we believe we can bring
8 Flukes Summer 2020
RESEARCH
■ Science Officer Seán O’Callaghan reviews
two recent Irish cetacean research papers
Our lost leviathan North Atlantic right whale
Ireland’s inshore waters have become the 14th century, perhaps reflecting their primitive hand-held lances in small, open
increasingly associated with the presence already diminished numbers, as from then boats along European coasts. The most
of rorqual whales – namely minke, on whalers hunted them more at higher deadly weapon in their arsenal was greed.
humpback and fin whales. But there is latitudes around the British Isles. There have been anecdotal accounts of
another group of baleen whales, the Fast-forward some centuries and the right whale sightings off Cape Clear Island
“right” whales, and one member of this pressures on right whales increased when in 1964 and 1970, and possible sightings off
family is effectively gone from Irish waters. two whaling operations targeted them in Donegal in 2001. However, no sighting in
The North Atlantic right whale Eubalena Donegal Bay from 1737 to 1772. A lance- the past 30 years has been validated by
glacialis was once likely to have been a firing “swivel gun” was developed to IWDG and, with no stranding records, it
common sight along our coastal waters... increase the odds of catching them. seems the Eastern Atlantic stock is
but what happened to it? Their fate was probably sealed before functionally extinct, with just a remnant
Records of Basque whalers hunting the Norwegian whaling commenced on the population of around 400 clinging to life in
“Nordcapers,” as they were once known, Inishkea Islands, Co Mayo, in 1908 and in the Western Atlantic. If there is to be any
date back to the 11th century in the Bay of nearby Blacksod Bay in 1910, when 18 were hope of a recovery, all the changes need
Biscay, and this fishery continued through killed on their northbound migration. The to come from us, and this means tackling
the Middle Ages. Their ecology and last eight were killed in 1910 and, despite big issues such as fishing gear entangle-
biology did them few favours. Right the continuation of these operations for ment, ship strikes and changing prey
whales hugged the coastline, were slow another nine seasons, the catch records distributions
•
swimmers, floated when killed and say it all: the right whale was no more.
produced a high yield of blubber and The real damage to the stock was done FIND OuT MORE O’Callaghan, SA (2019)
baleen – factors that marked them out as long before whaling came to Donegal or North Atlantic Right Whales Eubalaena
glacialis in Irish waters, 1300-1987. Biology and
a preferred target. There are records of Mayo. The demise of the species was Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish
them being targeted in Irish waters from sealed centuries earlier by men using Academy, 119, 111-112. DOI: 10.3318/BIOE.2019.10
Cetaceans on a
European scale
Maps are extremely useful tools to display
Photographs: Crossing the Line Films (right whale), Seán O’Callaghan (dolphins)
a large amount of data in a form that
many people can visualise and, most
importantly, interpret. This, crucially,
includes our policy-makers and politicians
who make decisions on our marine world
Common dolphins
•
and the species that live there.
Cetaceans adhere to no maritime insights into how our European species FIND OuT MORE Waggitt, JJ, Evans,
borders, so the bigger the picture you can use our waters. For example, greater PG, Andrade, J, Banks, AN, Boisseau,
give of their distributions over time and densities of fin whales were recorded in O, Bolton, M, Bradbury, G, Bereton, T,
season, the more powerful the outcomes. Camphuysen, CJ, Burinck, J, Felce, T,
offshore waters along the continental shelf
A study by Waggitt et al (2019) including Fijn, RC, Garcia-Baron, i, Garthe, S,
in july than in january; and similarly, the Geelhoed, SCV, Gilles, A, Goodall, M,
IWDG data has provided sweeping insights warmer water favouring striped dolphins Haelters, J, Hamilton, S, Hartny-Mills,
into cetaceans across the North Atlantic, pushed more of them northwards to our L, Hodgins, N, James, K, Jessopp, M,
from Norway in the north to Portugal in Porcupine Seabight in july, too. But very Kavanagh, AS, Leopold, M, Lohrengel,
the south, between 1980-2018, in winter K, Louzao, M, Markones, N, Martinez-
familiar species such as the common
and summer, using 2.68 million km of Cedeira, J, Ó Cadhla, O, Perry, SL,
dolphin, which is present all year round in Pierce, GJ, Ridoux, V, Robinson, KP,
survey data! Twelve species were Ireland, also increase in density during the Santos, MB, Saavedra, C, Skov, H,
recorded, ranging from fin whales to summer months. A similar trend was found Steinen, EWM, Sveegaard, S,
harbour porpoises. Models were used to for Risso’s dolphins. Thompson, P, Vanermen, N, Wall, D,
predict where these species were most With this level of detail over a huge area Webb, A, Wilson, J, Wanless, S and
likely to occur, based on water depth, Hiddink, JG (2019) Distribution maps of
of oceans and seas, our politicians have
cetacean and seabird populations in the
temperature ranges and time. been provided with a great resource to North-east Atlantic. Journal of Applied
A key result from the study was a series guide protection measures to meet Ecology 57(2): 253-269.
of predicted densities for species in legislative commitments to protect these
january and july, which has provided species in our ever-changing oceans
Summer 2020 Flukes 9
CONSERVATION
Air guns being towed
behind vesssel
Noisy oceans
■ Conservation Officer Dave Wall reports on the potential conservation impact of oil
and gas surveys on cetaceans in Irish waters
Whales, dolphins and had no time to evolve a to achieve ‘good industrial installations (e.g.,
porpoises live largely in an response to this noise environmental status’ for oil rigs and wind turbines),
acoustic world. They use pollution. Instead, they adapt our marine waters by 2020. military sonar (for detecting
sound to communicate, with behavioural change, One of the targets of this submarines) and seismic
navigate and forage. They such as making louder calls directive is to ensure that survey air guns.
have evolved over millions of or avoiding areas of high noise pollution in the marine Seismic surveys are the
years in an ocean without noise pollution (which may environment is at levels that primary survey method used
manmade sounds. Only since be preferred foraging, do not have an adverse by the oil and gas industry for
the 1900s has human noise resting or migratory areas). effect on marine species or locating deposits beneath the
pollution made any These changes place habitats. ocean floor. Typically, a
significant impact on the additional physiological The main sources of seismic survey uses an air gun
ocean, beginning with the stresses on the animals, with manmade noise include ship array to generate low-
first steamships and possible impacts on their noise, ship and boat sonar frequency sound waves that
increasing with each health, reproduction and (e.g., depth sounders and pass into the seabed and
generation as our levels of survival rates. fish finders), construction underlying rock. These ‘shots’
industrial activity grew. The EU Marine Strategy noise (e.g., blasting and generally occur every 10–12
Whales and dolphins have Framework Directive aims piling), dredging, in-water seconds during a survey line.
The noise generated is
extremely loud, with source
levels reaching 260 decibels.
This is far louder than the
noise generated by the
largest ships and as loud as
some major catastrophic
events such as undersea
earthquakes or volcanic
eruptions. Major catastrophic
events are extremely rare
and are generally short in
duration, while seismic
Photographs: Dave Wall
surveys are widespread and
may last for many weeks or
months.
Research in Ireland and
abroad has indicated that
seismic noise can cause
Air guns streaming out of the stern baleen whales to leave areas
10 Flukes Summer 2020Oil rigs in Cromarty Firth, Scotland
of seismic survey activity and Wildlife Service (NPWS)
and that this impact lasts Guidelines to Manage the Minke whales affected by noise
beyond the end of the Risk to Marine Mammals Recent research shows that, as background noise
survey. Therefore, seismic from Man-made Sound levels intensify, minke whales are losing their ability
surveys can effectively Sources in irish Waters in to communicate over long distances. In a low noise
exclude baleen whales from 2007. These guidelines
environment they could communicate with
their preferred foraging stipulate that where a
other whales up to 114 km away, but in a noisy
areas or migratory paths. seismic survey operator has
A single seismic survey can ceased shooting (air guns)
environment that range dropped to just 19 km.
ensonify tens of thousands and cannot conduct a visual
of kilometres of ocean, pre-watch for whales and
present, coupled with the Action and Environment
meaning a single survey can dolphins (e.g., at night or
willingness of the implemented and enforced a
have regional impacts. This due to bad weather), they
Department of mitigation zone along the Irish
is especially worrying for must delay starting the guns
Communications, Climate shelf slopes and canyons from
baleen whales as there is a again until conditions are
Action and Environment to which seismic survey effort
significant degree of overlap suitable for the pre-watch.
license shooting during line was excluded. This mitigation
between areas of oil and gas The IWDG has expressed
turns, results in significant zone covered habitats of
exploration and areas of deep concern that seismic
additional noise pollution importance to deep-diving
importance for baleen whale survey operators appear to
during seismic surveys in species, especially beaked
migration and foraging in be circumventing the
Irish waters. whales, which are considered
Irish waters. Given that guidelines by shooting air
The IWDG participated in particularly susceptible to the
individual seismic surveys guns during line turns. In
the irish Offshore Strategic impacts of seismic noise
can last for many months, most countries air guns are
Environmental Assessment pollution as they have specific
and the noise from surveys shut down during line turns,
process between 2005 and habitat requirements. The
even thousands of which can last several hours.
2014. One of the recommen- mitigation zone was
kilometres apart can overlap, Ostensibly, the exploration
dations from that process implemented during three
whales on the Irish shelf companies claim to be
was that an acoustic seismic surveys in 2013 and
slopes and canyons can be collecting data during these
monitoring programme for 2014, but was then dropped
exposed to unrelenting line turns, but the value of
beaked whales be without explanation. The
seismic noise pollution for the data collected is
implemented on the Irish nature of the threat to
Photographs: Patrick Lyne (oil rigs), Dave Wall (survey vessel)
much of the year. questionable. This is of
shelf slopes and canyons. beaked whales from seismic
The IWDG was concern as it means that,
The IWDG conducted a pilot surveys on the Irish shelf
instrumental in drafting the even though it is not their
monitoring programme in slopes and canyons had not
first set of National Parks intent, the guidelines at 2011 and was partner in an changed, so why was the
acoustic monitoring mitigation zone dropped?
programme for beaked The IWDG continues to
whales with the GMIT from highlight the impacts of noise
2015 to 2017 (ObSERVE- pollution on Irish whales and
Acoustic). These monitoring dolphins. In 2015, the IWDG
programmes have shown us released a policy document
that beaked whales are on the effects of noise
present on the Irish shelf pollution on cetaceans. This
slopes and canyons all year document made 33
round, along with other recommendations on tackling
deep-diving species such as the negative impacts of noise
sperm and pilot whales. pollution. It is available to
In 2013, the NPWS and the download from the members
Department of section of the IWDG website
Seismic survey vessel
Communications, Climate
Summer 2020 Flukes 11SHANNON DOLPHINS Bottlenose dolphins 006
(‘Sarafina’) and 242 in the
Shannon estuary in June 2014
The early years
“W
Dr Simon Berrow reflects on the origins and achievements to date of the Shannon Dolphin Project
e normally pick in 1995, Simon ingram at uCC started
dolphins up around a PhD on the dolphins. In the year
here,” said Joe 2000, the Shannon estuary was
Aston, skipper of the designated a Special Area of
fishing vessel White Conservation for bottlenose dolphins
Bank, steaming out of Carrigaholt in under Eu law, in recognition of its
County Clare to haul nets west of Loop international importance.
Head. “And they leave us around here,” Research on the dolphins has shown
he added 15 minutes later, as seven that the population consists of 145
bottlenose dolphins left our bow and individuals and has been stable over
headed out into the Shannon estuary. the past 20 years. The dolphins occur
That was back in 1991 when, during throughout the estuary, from Limerick
six days at sea, we discussed the city to Loop Head, but also travel
Photographs: Isabel Baker (dolphins), Brian Holmes (RIB photos), Simon Berrow (Dáithí Magee on boat)
bottlenose dolphin’s presence in the further afield, to Brandon Bay and
estuary and its uniqueness. This was Tralee Bay in north Kerry.
the start of the Shannon Dolphin The population is genetically
Project, one of the longest-running Simon surveying from the back of the RiB
discrete from other populations of
dolphin photo-ID projects in Europe. bottlenose dolphins in Ireland.
Through the West Clare Develop- funds to carry out vital fieldwork. We
ment Co-operative, of which joe was also knew that if the presence of Dolphin watching
chair and Paddy Farrell was manager, dolphins in the estuary were of Two purpose-built dolphin-watching
we secured funding from Shannon economic value, it would enhance our vessels were launched in 2000 from
Development to carry out a feasibility ability to protect them and their habitat.
study exploring the potential for And it would provide people with the
commercial dolphin-watching in the opportunity to see dolphins in the wild,
estuary. If these dolphins were resident perhaps for the first time.
and the encounter rate high, then And that’s how the Shannon Dolphin
there was great potential to develop Project started. On May 2nd, 1993, we
a tourism product. headed out into the estuary with high
The IWDG was most interested in spirits... but saw no dolphins! The
such an enterprise as it could deliver following day, we tried again and this
time found three groups and captured
Simon boarding the project’s first RiB at images of four individuals, suitable for
Carrigaholt pier photo-identification (including No 1: see
also page 16).
Over the course of that summer we
made 27 trips, encountered 20 groups
of dolphins and photographed 25 unique
individuals. Five of these individuals were
also photographed in the estuary last
year (2019) – 26 years later!
Status confirmed
Shannon Development supported an Dáithí Magee watching a dolphin bow-riding
from the Fiona David in the early days
extension of the project into 1994 and,
12 Flukes Summer 2020the ports of Carrigaholt and Kilrush in
west Clare. Over the years, they have
made around 300-400 trips per year,
carrying 10-15,000 people to
experience the Shannon dolphins.
Research workers
Since the year 2000, we have had
forty research assistants help us with
the project, we have facilitated eleven
MSc and PhD students and fifteen
work-experience students. Each and
every one has contributed to the
project’s success and taken away an
experience, professional and
personal, that will stay with them for
a lifetime. Bottlenose dolphin breaching in the Shannon estuary in August 2015
Has the dolphin project protected
the dolphins and their habitat? Each year, we have been out and
Certainly industry has to take into got more information to add to the Acknowledgments
account the effects on the dolphins of Simon Berrow would like to thank
Shannon Dolphin story. We extend
any development in the estuary. all those who have contributed to
our thanks to all who joined us on
One of the key successes of the the Shannon Dolphin Project,
this incredible journey especially John Quinlivan (retired)
Shannon Dolphin Project has been its
Photograph: Isabel Baker
•
survival for 27 years. With no funding of Shannon Development,
in recent years, the IWDG (under the AuTHOR Dr Simon Berrow was Geraldine and Gerald Griffin
the lead founder of the Irish Whale (of Dolphin Discovery),
Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife
and Geoff and Sue Magee
Foundation from 2000-2017) has and Dolphin Group (IWDG), and the
(of Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt)
maintained a continuous monitoring Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife for providing us with a platform
programme, through ups and downs, Foundation before that. He is CEO of for our research.
good summers and poor summers. the IWDG today.
Summer 2020 Flukes 13SHANNON DOLPHINS
Time travel with Shannon dolphins
Miguel Blázquez asks, “What if we could look into the future of the Shannon dolphins?”
to incorrect conclusions, misinform mortality? Or what if a disastrous oil
conservation actions, waste time and spill occurred in the estuary? What if
money or, even worse, make the we saved one female every year?
situation worse by providing wrong No sooner said than done: these
advice. But, after 27 years of the scenarios were run in Vortex and
Shannon Dolphin Project, we have produced interesting outcomes. If
strong enough data to perform this two dolphins were killed annually in
kind of study with confidence. bycatch, or a single catastrophic oil
So, how is it done? All available spill occurred, or the species’ lifespan
demographic data on the Shannon fell to 30 years, these would all lead
W
Miguel Blázquez dolphin population – birth and the population into steep decline.
mortality rates, weaning periods, Indeed, if a catastrophic oil spill
ouldn’t it be wonderful if we species lifespan, proportion of happened only once in 20 years, the
could look into the future of reproductive females and, of course, population would go extinct within 50
the Shannon dolphin the number of dolphins in the years. That’s serious stuff!
population? Will the population – are put into a population On the other hand, just saving one
population still exist in the Shannon viability analysis software programme adult female a year would lead the
estuary in, say, 100 years’ time? Will called Vortex. Vortex works as a population to a smooth yet positive
the numbers increase or decline? simulator and uses these parameters growing trend.
As it happens, we can look into that to construct a simulated population of An increase in calf mortality
future! One of the techniques dolphins, recreating how it changes wouldn’t affect the population that
available to population biologists is over time. much, which makes sense, as when a
population viability analysis. An Applying current numbers and calf dies, its mother is available to
analysis of this kind is a pool of parameters, the analysis showed the mate again, and the dead calf is
mathematical and informatics tools Shannon dolphins population rapidly replaced.
that allows a researcher to simulate declining, very slowly, but still These fictitious scenarios serve to
how a population would change declining. Don’t worry too soon, give us some idea of how both small
through time, given specific though; the Shannon population won’t and large changes would impact the
parameters, to explore a population’s go extinct in the next 50 or even 100 viability of the Shannon dolphin
future. years, so there is time to react! population. Clearly, more effort should
This has important implications, since But we wanted to look further. We be made to measure the potential
the analysis can be used to guide wondered how changes in the baseline extent of threats such as pollution or
conservation and decision-making in parameters would modify the fate of bycatch to the population
•
relation to an endangered population the simulated population. And so we
Photographs: IWDG (Miguel Blázquez), Stephanie Levesque (dolphin fin)
or species, hopefully in sufficient time asked ourselves, what if dolphins lived AuTHOR Miguel Blázquez was an
to tell a happy-ending story. just for 30 years instead of 50? And international student at GMIT and carried
out his Master’s thesis on the Shannon
However, care must be taken, as the what if two additional dolphins were dolphin population and has just been
use of deficient or insufficient data in killed each year due to, say, fisheries published: see Aquatic Mammals, 46(3),
a population viability analysis can lead bycatch? And what if we doubled calf 307-325; DOI 10.1578/AM.46.3.2020.307.
Opportunities for students and volunteers
T
Stephanie Levesque on research and educational work carried out by the Shannon Dolphin Project
Bottlenose dolphin showing markings on fin he Shannon Dolphin Project areas of the estuary are being used
that enable it to be identified by photo-iD research programme, run by the and for what purpose.
IWDG, monitors the population Dolphins hunt using ‘echolocation’
of bottlenose dolphins in the clicks to detect their prey. If the
Shannon estuary through acoustic devices record high levels of clicks,
monitoring and photo-identification. this indicates that the animals are
underwater recording devices and using certain areas to forage. Whistles
click detectors are deployed in the are used for socialising, and other
Shannon and, based on dolphin vocalisations are also recorded.
detections and the type of sounds the Photo-ID is a method of monitoring
dolphins produce, we can tell which individual dolphins through the
14 Flukes Summer 2020presence of unique markings on their about the 25 different species of working with the IWDG team, to
bodies. Bottlenose dolphins acquire whales, dolphins and porpoise that support them in any way I could. I also
nicks and notches, primarily on the have been recorded in Irish waters. happened to marry one of the crew
dorsal fins, which allow us to identify The volunteer programme offers onboard the dolphin tour boat in
individual animals and, through many students and graduates the Kilrush, which partially influenced
further sightings, gain information on opportunity to gain invaluable my decision to stay.
their life histories, habitat experience and skills in both aspects Why do we care so much about
preferences, distribution, movements, of the project: research and the Shannon dolphins and the
behaviour and associations. education. I joined the team back in continuation of this long-running
Over the years, the project has built 2013 as an intern. Originally from the programme? The Lower River Shannon
up a photo-ID catalogue of over 200 united States, I had just completed an is a Special Area of Conservation for
individuals recognisable by their MSc in wild animal biology in London these animals, which are present
markings. All individuals in the when I applied to join the summer year-round, offering us a unique
catalogue can be identified when programme. When I arrived, I met the opportunity to learn about them. As
re-sighted, as changes in their team and we were shown where we more development is planned in the
appearance have been tracked over would be living for the next few estuary, it is even more essential for us
time – a prime example of the value months. We were all put on a rota of to understand how the dolphins use
of our long-term monitoring. weekly duties and had two days off a the estuary, in order to properly advise
The success of the project is due to week. Duties included managing the management decisions to protect this
the amazing team of dedicated gift shop, carrying out tours for the population for years to come
•
volunteers who join us each year. As public, and collecting photo-ID data
well as carrying out research on the on the estuary from the dolphin tour AuTHOR
dolphins, they help us with the boats and IWDG’s research vessels, Stephanie Levesque
project’s educational element; this Celtic Mist and Muc Mhara. We has been involved in
is run from the Shannon Dolphin processed all of the data back at the the Shannon Dolphin
Centre, which also holds the IWDG office, matching animals in our photos Project for many
offices, in Kilrush, Co Clare. Visitors are to individuals in the project catalogue. years. She is also the
given free tours of the centre by our This dynamic experience was so IWDG’s Celtic Mist
Officer.
volunteers and learn about the positive for me that I decided to stay
research on the Shannon, as well as permanently in Ireland and continue
Summer 2020 Flukes 15SHANNON DOLPHINS
Dolphin 242 and another in the Shannon estuary in June 2014 Dolphin 006 and another in the Shannon estuary in July 2014
Shannon dolphin stories
Shannon Dolphin Project Officer Mags Daly recalls memorable dolphins down through the years
Photographs: Simon Berrow (Number 1 in 1993 and 2014), Isabel Baker (dolphins 242, 006, Nala and 880)
First image obtained of dolphin ‘Number 1,’ in May 1993 image of dolphin ‘Number 1’ from 2014, the last year it was seen
can be very difficult. They are born has a small but prominent notch in
Number 1 without the notches, skin lesions and the middle of her dorsal fin.
‘Number 1’ was first photographed on
tooth rake marks that we use to As our first second-generation
3 May 1993, at the start of the project.
distinguish individual animals. animal, Nala was already special: her
An adult male bottlenose, he has been
Nala is generally one of the more mother, Sarafina (No 006), was one
recorded in the estuary in twelve of
obliging Shannon dolphins when it of the first dolphins added to the
the first 17 years and was last seen in
comes to having her picture taken, catalogue back in 1993. Nala has
the estuary in 2010.
which has allowed us to follow her frequently been sighted and
No 1 was photographed in Brandon
through her life. Like her mother, she photographed.
Bay off north Kerry in 2014, but has
not been seen in either location for
the past five years. So, has No 1 died?
It is hard to know when an animal is
actually dead. The IWDG is working
with GMIT MSc student Kim Ellen
Ludwig to explore adult mortality
using capture (photographic images)
histories and modelling. Soon, a
dolphin will be dead when Kim says it is!
Nala
The first calf added to the Shannon
Dolphin Catalogue in 2012 was No 801,
also known as Nala. Tracking animals
through early life and into adulthood Nala (No 801) at back, and younger sibling (No 880), photographed in July 2019
16 Flukes Summer 2020Calves are curious and endearingly
charming. Nala even got her picture
in the paper as a young calf when
she was photographed with a lamprey
attached to her side!
When calves try to imitate the
adults’ powerful leaps, their efforts
often result in more of a belly flop
than a leap! Like all calves, Nala spent
her first years close to her mother, as
well as to other animals that Sarafina
associated with.
Muireann
Muireann (No 011), another animal
added to the catalogue in 1993, also Muireann’s calf (No 809) bow-riding a tanker in the estuary in June 2019
had a calf in 2012, No 809. Nala (801)
and 809 would often be seen in the
same nursery group. the vagaries of the Irish summer, we a name worthy of male or female,
Muireann’s association with 809 has didn’t see her again for five weeks. Sionann, goddess of the Shannon.
continued into adulthood, and they When we did, finally, she caused great Like all Shannon dolphins, Nala
were photographed bow-riding a excitement: she had recently given moves throughout their range.
tanker together in june 2019. Her birth to her first calf, No 886! Like its However, she is most frequently
Photograph: Mags Daly
closest association, though, would be mother, this calf is special, as it is our seen in the inner Shannon estuary,
with Sabre (No 084), an older male first third-generation animal, marking particularly around Moneypoint
who is seen predominantly in the yet another milestone in our and Carrig Island. You have a good
inner estuary. monitoring of this population. The chance of seeing her, and others
During the 2019 field season, Nala gender of the calf is still unknown including Sabre and mama Sarafina,
was frequently sighted with mum and and, not that I’m biased but, I’m from the Shannon Ferries and
her year-old sibling, No 880. Due to hoping it’s a female. So, I have given it Tarbert pier. ➤
Quinn’s Pharmacy
Bridge Street
Gort, Co Galway H91 VX22
Phone 091 631272
Looking for whales? Ask the IWDG. Looking for medical advice? Ask your PHARMACIST.
Seasick, Steve? Try the patches. They need a prescription, but they’re excellent!
Krill oil? We will not stock it. There are better, environmentally safer alternatives.
Cod liver oil? Omega 3? Why not use Linseed!
Need to do an autopsy? We keep disposable scalpels, and will provide
to any volunteer free of charge when needed.
www.quinnspharmacy.ie
Moving away from plastic
Summer 2020 Flukes 17SHANNON DOLPHINS
Sandy Salmon stranded in Co Kerry in 2012. She survived
Sandy Salmon
Sandy Salmon is the only bottlenose dolphin from the
Shannon estuary known to have live-stranded. A female, she
stranded on 1 june 2012 on Béal Beach, Co Kerry, while nine
months pregnant. She was dubbed Sandy Salmon because,
while stranded, she vomited salmon on the sandy beach.
Sandy Salmon was successfully refloated by the IWDG and
went on to have a calf, Muddy Mackerel (No 817), later that
summer. They still are regularly seen together in the
Shannon estuary, though Sandy Salmon has since gone on
to have another calf, No 862, born in 2016.
Patch
Patch (No 838) was born with scoliosis, a deformation of
the spine. He is easy to identify from afar by the shape of
his back and, when seen swimming, the fact that he always
surfaces head-first out of the water. Patch was first
recorded in the Shannon in 2015 and was last seen in 2018.
He was most often seen with his mother, Cabbage (No 118).
A number of bottlenose dolphins have been recorded with
scoliosis in Ireland. See the paper by Berrow and O’Brien
(2006) in the Irish Naturalists’ Journal, Vol 28 (No 5),
available to members from the IWDG website, iwdg.ie, in
Members Resources
•
Photographs: Joanne O’Brien (Sandy), Isabel Baker (Patch)
AuTHOR Mags Daly is the
IWDG Shannon Dolphin Project
Officer, currently part-funded by
FLAG West.
Patch pictured in July 2016
18 FlukesAROUND IRELAND
Need for large whale stranding response protocol
T
By Karen van Dorp, Welfare Officer minimum stress for the animal and for the people witnessing
the event. The IWDG has published policies and guidelines
he number of cetaceans becoming stranded in outlining the issues and best practice responses for cetacean
Ireland has virtually doubled in the last ten years. welfare, including live strandings. Largely designed for
Much of this increase is accounted for by a rise in dolphins and smaller whales, these have proved to be
the number of common dolphins stranding, but insufficient in the case of large whale strandings due to the
strandings of large species such as sperm, complications that arise because of the size and weight of
humpback and fin whales also regularly occur.
these animals, including carcass disposal and required
The sight of a stranded whale can be disturbing and
resources. The IWDG therefore recommends that a national
emotional, and it attracts huge public interest. In August 2012,
Large Whale Stranding Response Protocol be developed.
a live fin whale entered Baltimore Harbour, Co Cork, and
Such a protocol, stating the responsibilities of all parties
remained there for three days before it died. It attracted huge
involved and signed off by relevant partners (wildlife
numbers of people and national media interest. The whale was
severely distressed and at low tide it thrashed violently with its authorities, local authorities, Irish Coast Guard, RNLI, the
tail against the pier wall. A coordinated response could have defence forces) would produce a considered, coordinated
reduced the animal’s suffering, but was missing. and well-resourced response in the case of a large whale
Numerous similar strandings of large whales have occurred in stranding in Ireland
•
Ireland, right up to when three sperm whales stranded over a
short period in Donegal, Galway and Sligo in April 2019. The AuTHOR Karen van Dorp is currently in the process of
stranding of a young fin whale observed swimming in Dublin identifying key partners on behalf of the IWDG and designing
Port last October once again drew attention to the issue. a draft protocol which will be distributed amongst these
An appropriate response to a whale stranding ensures partners in due time.
Need for Marine Protected Areas
P
Ireland still lacks a legal basis for establishing Marine Protected Areas. Hannah Keogh reports
rotected areas make up just 7.43% of the world’s example. Management plans should include functions such as
oceans. As part of the Convention on Biological ‘no-take zones,’ seasonal closures and restriction of activities.
Diversity, Ireland had committed to protecting 10% Adjustments should be adaptive, constantly reviewed and
of its marine waters by 2020, increasing to 30% by sensitive to changes in the wider environment.
2030. However, just 2.3% of our waters currently For any of this to be achieved, appropriate legislation needs
have protected status, and most of our important marine to be enacted, providing a legal basis for the establishment of
habitats are in inadequate or bad condition. successful MPAs. The forging of appropriate management plans
under the EU Habitats Directive Ireland currently has five with full stakeholder engagement is key. Only then will we be
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated for the able to implement proper enforcement of the legislation and
protection of cetaceans. Harbour porpoise is listed as the avoid creating “paper parks,” or avoid offshore wind farms
qualifying interest for three of these SACs, and bottlenose becoming de facto MPAs
dolphin for the other two.
As part of Ireland’s commitments under the OSPAR
Convention, a further 19 SACs have been designated in lieu of
the OSPAR Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) required to protect
marine biodiversity. This is due to the lack of legislation
affording legal protection to OSPAR MPAs. It was hoped that
under the National Marine Planning Framework, the Marine
Planning and Development Management Bill would include
the creation and designation of MPAs in Ireland. Sadly, it has
failed to do so.
One of the requirements of the Eu’s Marine Strategy
Framework Directive is a coherent network of representative
MPAs. Any coherent network can only exist with the application
of consistent and robust management plans. As of now, no
Map: Hannah Keogh
management plans exist for the above-mentioned Special
Areas of Conservations in Ireland.
The successful management of MPAs begins with identifying
critical habitats. A more flexible design is needed for marine
Energy sector pressures on marine mammals in Ireland's exclusive
mammals, envisioning protection of the wider biosphere, economic zone have included seismic surveys, oil and gas exploration
including habitats, with periodically adjusted boundaries, for wells, offshore gas pipelines and other activities.
Summer 2020 Flukes 19You can also read
