‘Exceptionally rare’ whale seen by Donegal coast
An “exceptionally rare” whale was recorded near to the coast of County Donegal in Ireland, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) reported. The marine mammal was sighted swimming close to Sliabh Liag.
North Atlantic right whales are among the most critically endangered large ocean mammals in the world. There are thought to be less than 350 of them worldwide as of 2023 and it is feared that the species faces extinction within the next two decades.
“This is an exceptionally rare record for the eastern Atlantic, where this species has been largely absent for decades, if not longer,” the group said. “We can make a convincing argument that the last positive identification of this species in Ireland dates back to 1910.”
When rare species are recorded, the IDWG says that it will consult “far and wide” in order to ensure that the information is accurate. This sighting has been verified by the New England Aquarium in America which is responsible for curating the North Atlantic right whale photo ID catalogue.
The North Atlantic were once hunted extensively by whalers for centuries. In the medieval era they were sought out by hunters in the Basque region and their blubber is thought to have aided the industrial revolution. Whale oil was used to lubricate factory machinery.
By the 1890s, commercial whalers had hunted right whales in the Atlantic to near extinction. They have been listed as endangered since 1970. Today, their habitat overlaps many of the most industrialised parts of the ocean, ranging from Florida to Newfoundland. Over 1,000 miles of coastline, the area is crowded with ship traffic and economically vital commercial fisheries. Now, most whales are killed by boats and fishing gear.
