Whales are known to be disturbed by the noise of ships and oil and gas drilling, but now a new study says that bottom trawling can also upset marine mammals. As the Irish Independent reports today, scientists at NUI Galway’s…

A publication by the Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme that connects children, parents, teachers and the media with the seashore in Ireland has been highlighted at a major international conference. My Explorers Seashore Guide Workbook was recently presented at the…

A sea swimmer got “close enough to be a bit nervous” with a pod of dolphins off Myrtleville earlier this week. Harry Casey tells the Irish Examiner about his once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming out to greet the marine wildlife off…

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has recommended that a single body should handle all mitigation measures to reduce impact of offshore wind farms on marine mammals. A policy document published by the NGO includes recommendations to ensure offshore…

Up to 380 sperm whales are living in deep waters off the Irish coast, a newly published study has found.  This makes sperm whales “one of the most abundant great whale species” in these waters, expert Dr Simon Berrow says. …

Developing out of the successful Weather and Sailing conferences is this short webinar focusing on weather and the single-handed sailo scheduled for next Tuesday, December 15.  The two speakers for this joint webinar, which will focus on the challenges faced…

A leading specialist in the ecology of Irish kelp forests along the Atlantic coastline has been given an award by the Irish Research Council (IRC). NUI Galway marine ecologist Dr Kathryn Schoenrock has been given Early Career Researcher of the…

The Shannon Estuary has the potential to become a global hub for floating offshore wind according to a major new study. If such a project were to be progressed, writes the Limerick Leader, it could attract up to 12 billion…

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s annual conference is moving online — and broadcasting live from West Clare next Saturday 12 December. Whale Tales is the annual meeting of the IWDG, where members and people interested in whales, dolphins and…

Cammell Laird a UK shipbuilder on Merseyside, has achieved its final milestone for the RRS Sir David Attenborough by formally handing over the new polar ship to Britain's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The royal research ship (RRS) to be operated by…

Warm water anchovies and sprat are tempting pods of dolphins, fin whales and seabirds close to the south coast this week, with feeding frenzies reported in outer Cork harbour. An estimated 50 to 60 dolphins have been sighted by several…

Fáilte Ireland says it plans to capitalise on huge interest in dolphin and whale watching in Ireland in its future tourism marketing plans. The organisation’s chief executive Paul Kelly made the commitment as he addressed the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism…

The Marine Institute has announced the appointment of two Directors to the state agency’s Senior Leadership Team. Dr Ciaran Kelly has been appointed Director of Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services and Joe Silke to the position of Director of Marine Environment…

Sea temperatures may seem bracing for swimmers, but shoals of warm water anchovies have appeared in large numbers off the south-west coast. “Astonishing” is how Kerry-based fish expert Dr Kevin Flannery describes the volume of tiny oily fish, widely used…

Coral reefs are under pressure from hurricanes, pollution, bleaching and global warming, and scientists have now confirmed the extent of the threat from an aggressive alga. The algae, known as peyssonnelid algal crusts (PAC), are colonising reefs in the Caribbean…

Taking 20 minutes to listen to music inspired by five oceans is the focus of a new release by a Dublin songwriter and musician Dan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, also known as Badhands, combines acoustic and electronic instrumentation to reflect what he…