2011 Was A Record Year For Whale And Dolphin Sightings

News - Local

Friday, 06 January 2012 12:34

Written by Pat Flynn

The head of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has confirmed that 2011 was a record year for cetacean recording for the organisation.

Dr Simon Berrow has confirmed that a total of 160 strandings and 1,565 sighting records for whales, dolphins and other cetaceans had been received by the end of the year.

"These totals are likely to increase a little as stragglers filter in, but this is by far the highest total for the number of stranding records and the third highest total for sighting records since the IWDG schemes were established in 1991," Dr Berrow said yesterday.

"The high of 160 stranding compares to only 92 received in 2010 which was very low compared to previous years where between 135 and 147 records had been received. We thought at the time the 2010 total was unusually low and 2011 has shown this to be the case. Stranding records in 2011 were characterised by a very high peak of common dolphin strandings during February and a high number of porpoise strandings during the winter," Dr Berrow added.

Sighting records were around 100 fewer than last year’s record of 1694 records and 1629 in 2007, but despite the exceptional poor sea conditions during the autumn and winter, the IWDG still believes the figure to be very impressive.

"Last year the stranding scheme was funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and funding from the Heritage Council enabled us to supply the 60 plus stranding recorders with a recording kit to assist them in their work. These schemes are the backbone of the IWDG and provide the information required to support conservation actions and policies and identify important habitats and times of year for cetaceans inshore," said Dr Berrow.

Meanwhile, a team of IWDG volunteers has been preparing the yacht, formerly owned by the late Charles J Haughey, for refitting as a research vessel.

Last April, the IWDG was gifted the 17-metre (52ft) steel-hulled 'Celtic Mist' by the Haughey family and after months of negotiations, the yacht sailed into its new home in Kilrush in July.

Dr Berrow said: "The refit of Celtic Mist will be a major effort during the first 4 or 5 months of 2012 but will be a fantastic resource for the IWDG once re-launched."

It has been estimated that it will cost around €50,000 to refit the yacht while between €20,000 and €30,000 a year will be required to operate the vessel.