The Canadian Government is challenging the European Union over its ban on seal products. Canada has reportedly asked the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to arbitrate a formal dispute to assess the EU ban, which Canada alleges is a violation of…

Minister for Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan, today announced the completion of a detailed evaluation by his Department of the applications received for Licensing Options in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin and the Clare Basin. On the basis of that evaluation Minister…

Kerry fishermen are calling for a cull of the local grey seal population over claims that they eat up to 10kg of fish a day, The Irish Times reports. Fishermen along the Kerry coast are arguing the the seals are…

Fáilte Ireland has come under fire for an advert that shows a whale that cannot be found in Irish waters. According to the Irish Examiner, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has questioned by images of humpback or fin…

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced the largest aggregation of killer whales to date in Irish waters. As many as a dozen killer whales, or orca, were spotted close to an Irish Naval Service vessel on patrol…

The Irish Times has stunning photographs of fin whales and dolphins feeding off Hook Head in Co Wexford captured by photographer George Karbus. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0201/1224288694464.html Czech-born Lahinch resident Karbus, who specialises in wildlife photography, said: “It is really hard to capture…

The Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) is gearing up for three seal releases this coming weekend. On Saturday 5 February ISS volunteers in tandem with the Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary will release Rupert and Rosie back into the wild at…

Northern Ireland Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the setting up of the Offshore Renewable Energy Forum, tasked with evaulating the potential of Ireland's offshore resources. "Members of the forum can help shape the sustainable development of offshore renewables in…

The Marine Institute's two research vessels, RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager are to lead Europe with an all-time record of 627 days spent at sea of between both ships, well above the average for equivalent European research vessels.…

Work has begun on a new visitor services building at Ballycastle harbour as part of a £7.4 million (€8.6 million) marine tourism project for the nothern part of Ireland and western Scotland. Moyle District Council is one of 20 partners…

Two passenger ferry vessels which operated on routes to the Aran Islands will be put up for auction next month, writes Jehan Ashmore. The sister vessels are the MV Clann Eagle I (2005/169grt) and MV Clann Na N'oileain which was…

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan will issue a decision "in the coming weeks" on Shell Ireland's plans to complete the Corrib gas pipeline, The Irish Times reports. The news follows yesterday's ruling by An Bord Pleanála which approved revised plans final…

The first ever Air Corps survey of whale and dolphin activity in Irish waters is set to begin today, the Irish Times reports. A survey team accompanied by members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) were scheduled to…

A lost baby seal surprised workers at a plant hire yard in Strabane, Co Tyrone earlier this month, BBC News reports. Staff at WT Hire were put in touch with a seal sanctuary in Newtownards when the pup was discovered…

Whitecoat seal pups Snowy and Cecil were finally returned to the wild on Tuesday after their original Saturday release was postponed. The two seals, who were reabilitated by the Irish Seal Sanctuary at Courtown Harbour after being found on the…

The Irish Seal Sanctuary celebrated the release of six grey seal pups from two different locations last weekend. Dustin, Phoenix and Sean were released from Courtown Harbour, while Buddy Holly, Louise and Cookie were put into the water in Ballyferriter,…