Marine Mammals

In 2010, as part of the initiative to review the State of Knowledge on Ireland’s Biological Diversity the National Biodiversity Data Centre produced an inventory of sources of biodiversity data. The inventory was developed by inviting recognised national experts to identify the state of knowledge.

The Biodiversity Inventory is laid complete in sections following taxonomic grouping with an overview. Each section follows the same format; Irish checklist, number of species, primary sources of distribution data, National conservation assessment, and monitoring or repeat surveys in place. This layout allows the reader to compare the state of knowledge of different groups.

Long-finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala melas) – Dave Wall

Irish checklist

Cetacean Checklist

Seal Checklist

Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) – Dave Wall

Number of marine mammal species

26 cetacean species and several seal species have been recorded in Ireland. Eurasian Otter also inhabits coastal and estuarine habitats and may do so exclusively.

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) – Dave Wall

Primary sources of distribution data

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group: cetaceans
European Seabirds at Sea (maintained by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee): seal and cetacean databases. ESAS cetacean sightings 1980-2003* are available through Biodiversity Maps.
The Coastal and Marine Resources Centre, Cork: seal and cetacean databases
National Parks and Wildlife Service: seal data*
Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) Distribution 2009-2014* (Michelle Cronin)
SCANS II Survey Data (2005)* Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews.

An All-Ireland Marine Mammals Database is compiled and managed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and will be made accessible through Biodiversity Maps.

*Databases held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) – Dave Wall

National conservation assessment

Article 17 reporting – all 26 species listed in EU Habitats Directive: National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2019. The status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. NPWS, Department of the Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.

Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) – Dave Wall

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place

Land-based effort monitoring (IWDG)
Seal haul-out counts (NPWS rangers)
Ferry based cetacean surveys (IWDG)
Ship-based cetacean surveys (NPWS/Marine Institute)