Rare North Atlantic Right Whale Spotted Off Donegal
General News
Thursday 22nd, August 2024
In a significant development for marine conservation, a North Atlantic Right whale has been spotted off the coast of Donegal, Ireland. This marks the first sighting of the critically endangered species in Irish waters since the establishment of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) in 1990.
The whale was reportedly seen last month, July 2024, by a local resident, and recently, an American tourist from Massachusetts corroborated the sighting. The tourist, who has 40 years of experience in whale watching, observed the whale from the shore in the bay between Lower Cruit Island and Arranmore, County Donegal, at a distance of approximately 500 metres. Although the tourist did not capture photographic evidence, his description was deemed credible by the IWDG.
“This is an exceptionally rare record for the Eastern Atlantic, where this species has been largely absent for decades, if not longer”, said Pádraig Whooley, IWDG Sightings Officer. “We can make a convincing argument that the last positive identification of this species in Ireland dates back to 1910”.
The North Atlantic Right whale is one of the world’s most endangered whale species, with a remaining population estimated at between 350 and 400 individuals. Most of these whales are found along the eastern coast of the United States.
“The outlook for their survival isn’t a good one”, Whooley continued. “Both ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear annually remove individuals from this dwindling population”.
Historically, the North Atlantic Right whale was known to inhabit Irish waters, but precise numbers and distribution remain unclear. The IWDG, being the largest cetacean data holder in Ireland, has not recorded this species in recent years, making this sighting particularly significant.
The IWDG is now calling on observers in the northwest and Donegal area to be extra vigilant. They urge anyone who spots a whale that may be a North Atlantic Right whale to report the sighting through their website or mobile app. The group is offering a complimentary IWDG hoodie and a year’s free membership to the next person who provides photographic evidence confirming the presence of this pioneering right whale.
For more information or to report a sighting, visit www.iwdg.ie or use the IWDG’s reporting app.
The whale was reportedly seen last month, July 2024, by a local resident, and recently, an American tourist from Massachusetts corroborated the sighting. The tourist, who has 40 years of experience in whale watching, observed the whale from the shore in the bay between Lower Cruit Island and Arranmore, County Donegal, at a distance of approximately 500 metres. Although the tourist did not capture photographic evidence, his description was deemed credible by the IWDG.
“This is an exceptionally rare record for the Eastern Atlantic, where this species has been largely absent for decades, if not longer”, said Pádraig Whooley, IWDG Sightings Officer. “We can make a convincing argument that the last positive identification of this species in Ireland dates back to 1910”.
The North Atlantic Right whale is one of the world’s most endangered whale species, with a remaining population estimated at between 350 and 400 individuals. Most of these whales are found along the eastern coast of the United States.
“The outlook for their survival isn’t a good one”, Whooley continued. “Both ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear annually remove individuals from this dwindling population”.
Historically, the North Atlantic Right whale was known to inhabit Irish waters, but precise numbers and distribution remain unclear. The IWDG, being the largest cetacean data holder in Ireland, has not recorded this species in recent years, making this sighting particularly significant.
The IWDG is now calling on observers in the northwest and Donegal area to be extra vigilant. They urge anyone who spots a whale that may be a North Atlantic Right whale to report the sighting through their website or mobile app. The group is offering a complimentary IWDG hoodie and a year’s free membership to the next person who provides photographic evidence confirming the presence of this pioneering right whale.
For more information or to report a sighting, visit www.iwdg.ie or use the IWDG’s reporting app.
