A whale of a time off west Cork coast
As the area’s reputation spreads, a possible whale watching industry, which could yet be similar to the Fungi dolphin industry in Dingle, Co Kerry, has been started. Two operators are providing whale watching tours in west Cork, with others expected to follow.
There’s no doubt that these behemoths of the sea are a huge attraction for nature lovers, and their movements are being closely observed by members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin (IWDG), with sightings regularly logged.
A report logged to the IWDG website by co-ordinator Padraig Whooley, on November 12, noted: “Superb whale activity prevailed over the weekend with estimates ranging from seven to12 fin whales observed during commercial whale watching trips. Added to the mix were countless minke whales. The activity remains centred in the waters west of the Stags, towards Baltimore out to the Fastnet Rock, and extending as far west as Brow Head on the Mizen Peninsula and inside Roaringwater Bay.”
But fin whales, the second largest animals of this type next to the blue whale, can also be seen in other parts of the south and west coasts from Wexford to Kerry.
Fin whales can grow to about 20 metres and weigh up to 70 tonnes. Unusually for animals of their size, they can move very rapidly. Their speed may be nature’s response to the fact they often had to try to escape from fishermen, and they are capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h.
West Cork now has an international reputation among watchers of cataceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). As well as fin whales, other species seen in the area include minke and humpback whales, common and bottlenose dolphins. Fin whales can be seen from May to February and their movement is explained by their constant search for food, as they follow the herring trail. Quite likely, whales seen off Baltimore this week could turn up later off Waterford, according to the IWDG. It is hoping to tag a handful for satellite tracking to see where they go once they move offshore.
There are also many other unanswered questions. For instance, organised whale watching in the south coast is not believed to have started until 1999. Surely, fishermen, people in leisure craft and those regularly walking the shoreline had previously noticed these mammoths of the sea, with their highly visible six-metre blows? But, in the latest issue of Science Spin magazine, zoologist Simon Berrow, said they might be relatively new arrivals.
“We’ve spoken to fishermen and farmers in the area [west Cork] and I get the impression that maybe they [fin whales] weren’t around so much in the past. Maybe it’s because they were hunted so intensely, and what we’re now seeing is an increase in population after protection was introduced,” he said.
Dr Berrow, a founder member of the IWDG, opined that fin whale populations appear to be recovering towards pre-whaling numbers, and he believes the Celtic Sea offers an ideal habitat, with changing climate and massive plankton blooms being critical.
In 1991, the government declared all Irish waters to be whale and dolphin sanctuaries and upwards of 24 species have been sighted in our waters. It is an offence under law to deliberately disturb these species.
Seasoned observers warn that too many boat operators in the same area could drive whales away from an area. According to Whooley, research shows that killer whales spend less time in places where commercial whale watching boats operate.
The Department of the Marine has issued safety guidelines, pointing out that these animals can damage small boats.
Practical advice is given not to pursue whales and dolphins, adding that, instead, boats should move in parallel with them.
Meanwhile, the IWDG is urging people to report all sightings of fin whales around the coast.
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