Marine science students were fortunate to spot abundant whales and dolphins while on a recent expedition to Kerry’s Blasket islands.
The Atlantic Technological University (ATU) masters students in marine science were accompanied by their lecturer, marine scientist and researcher Dr Joanne O’Brien, on board the Blasket Princess.
The students were learning in real time how to monitor the waters for the animals as the vessel made its course towards the islands and open sea. However, within just 20 minutes of departure, they were delighted to spot a pod of bottlenose dolphins and some fin whales.
By the end of the five hour trip they had all identified fin, humpback and minke whales as well as bottlenose, harbour porpoise and common dolphins with their young.
The Atlantic Technological University (ATU) masters students in marine science were accompanied by their lecturer, marine scientist and researcher Dr Joanne O’Brien, on board the Blasket Princess
They also saw Great, Manx and Sooty shearwaters as well as an abundance of gannets and even puffins, and grey seals hauled out on the Great Blasket Island.
The students are studying the postgraduate Master of Science in Conservation Behaviour and Master of Science in International Marine Biological Resources (known as the IMBRSea).
They come from Ireland, Norway, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Cape Verde and Brazil.
“We were extremely lucky to encounter so many species and for humpbacks to put on such an amazing display,” Dr Joanne O’Brien said.
“This was a first for many of our students and it was so nice to see them so excited, engaged and passionate about the conservation of these amazing animals,”she said.
“ They learned survey techniques and how to put together ethograms which record how the animals interact with each other and with the surrounding environment. They also learned about the threats and pressures these animals face,” she said.
Skipper Vinnie Brown said the number of sightings this season is well up on last year, when the whales moved up the coast to Mayo and Donegal to feed, possibly due to the spike in temperature in May.
Student Ricardo del Almeida Mendez from Cape Verde, second year on the Master of Science in International Marine Biological Resources, said it was the best marine expedition he was every on and his first time ever to encounter fin whales which was thrilling for him.
Leanne Tuohy from Louth, first year student on the Master of Science in Marine Conservation, was delighted to be out on the boat so soon after starting the course. The expedition guide Jon Biddle shared with the students his knowledge of birds and marine species throughout the expedition, telling students about recent sightings of the white tailed eagle in west Cork, Killarney and other western seaboard counties.
For further information on ATU’s marine science postgraduates programmes and the undergraduate programme Bachelor of Science in Applied Freshwater and Marine please visit the ATU website www.atu.ie
