The management of Irish waters as a whale and dolphin sanctuary

Emer Rogan, Simon D. Berrow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

On 7th June 1991 the Irish Government declared Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary. The sanctuary declaration covered the State's entire exclusive fishery limit (200 miles from the coast). This paper examines the management of Irish waters for whales and dolphins. The historical relationship between cetaceans and people in Ireland is reviewed and the potential threats to cetacean species in Ireland examined. Data on contaminant levels (radionuclides, heavy metals) in stranded and by-caught animals are presented together with aspects of the biology (parasites, diet) of small cetaceans in Irish waters. The interaction between cetaceans and fisheries and the development of whale-watching in Ireland is also discussed. It is argued that proper conservation requires not only the relevant scientific study but the creation of the political will if conservation measures are to be effective.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)671-681
Number of pages11
JournalDevelopments in Marine Biology
Volume4
Issue numberC
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1995
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • biology
  • cetaceans
  • conservation
  • fisheries
  • whale-watching

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