The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) say that "the humpback whales so long a feature of summer in Cork and Kerry didn’t come this year; instead, they are far to the north, off Mayo, Sligo and Donegal, and reduced in numbers," says Dr Stephen Comerford, the IWDG Marine Policy Officer.
He refers to those as another example of the effects of climate change on the oceans and announces that the Group has produced a policy document on offshore renewable energy.
"It outlines our thinking and intention on this important topic. Our advice is dynamic and responds to new initiatives and developments, and we plan to update published policies in the coming months. Consultation by IWDG on ORE is ongoing and dynamic throughout the development.
"The world is suffering a climate crisis unique in human history with drought, wildfires, disrupted weather patterns and extremes of temperature on land and at sea. Ireland is fortunate not to endure 45-degree centigrade temperatures and hurricane-force winds, but our climate has been altered too. Erratic weather, increased storms and rainfall, changing growing seasons, and rising sea levels are affecting us profoundly. In the seas around us, fish stocks are behaving unpredictably, and changes may be catastrophic for ecosystem health and our food security.
"Unless we respond by transforming the way we generate the energy we need, both in Ireland and worldwide, then huge areas of the planet will become unliveable within the lifetimes of our children. Starvation and mass migration will be the inevitable results.
"We already have the tools to transition from fossil fuels in a just and sustainable way, and key to this in Ireland is offshore renewable energy (ORE). Ireland’s offshore waters have a unique and powerful wind resource which, as a nation, we must develop as soon as we can to help prevent the worst effects of climate change.
"The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group recognises the importance of offshore wind and equally understands that it must be developed to the highest environmental standards to prevent unintended damage to the marine ecosystem. ORE is coming to our offshore waters, and it is our job to ensure that all issues relating to cetaceans are fully taken into account. The IWDG consults with the wind farm companies and with government departments to advise on development to minimise impacts on whales, dolphins and porpoises and maximise potential advantages."
