Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

04/06/2026

For over 35 years, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has been building understanding of whales and dolphins in Irish waters through monitoring, research, and public participation.

Every sighting, every survey, and every supporter helps strengthen conservation and marine science in Ireland.

In The First Twenty-One Years (1990–2011), published to mark 21 years of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary, wildlife advocate and IWDG founding member Brendan Price reflected:
“Anyone who has attended a whale stranding or whale-watch event becomes transformed by the experience, passion and dedication of this group and their all-consuming effort in protection of whales.”

This Sanctuary Day, you can support the work behind that understanding. Support IWDG Sanctuary Day on the 7th of June by:
🐋Wearing blue
🐬Sharing the message
🐋 Reporting your sightings via the IWDG Reporting App at report.iwdg.ie
🌊 Supporting the work of the IWDG

Learn more:
www.iwdg.ie

🙏 Support the campaign:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/iwdg-whale-and-dolphin-sanctuary-day

04/06/2026

Wear Blue for IWDG Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary Day

On 7 June, we’re inviting everyone to wear blue and report your whale and dolphin sightings and strandings to help raise awareness for cetaceans in Irish waters.

Every reports contributes to long-term monitoring and helps build understanding of the whales and dolphins around our coasts.

In The First Twenty-One Years (1990–2011), published to mark 21 years of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary, Don Cotton reflected on how Ireland became “a much better informed nation about whales, dolphins and porpoises,” thanks to growing public awareness and recording efforts around our coasts.

It’s a simple way to support marine conservation, citizen science, and the work of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

You can support Sanctuary Day on the 7th of June by:
🐋Wearing blue
🐬Tag and Share
🐋 Reporting your sightings via the IWDG Reporting App at report.iwdg.ie
🌊 Supporting the work of IWDG

Learn more:
https://iwdg.ie/iwdg-sanctuary-day/

🙏 Support the campaign:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/iwdg-whale-and-dolphin-sanctuary-day

03/06/2026

One of the strongest themes throughout today’s Fair Seas Conference was the importance of genuine engagement.

Speakers reflected on Ireland’s deep connection to the sea and the need to better understand, experience, and value our marine environment.

Again and again, speakers returned to the idea that effective marine protection is built through trust, relationships, listening, and spending real time with communities.

A recurring message throughout the day was that long-term stewardship of our seas depends on collaboration, shared understanding, and bringing people together from the beginning of the conversation.

03/06/2026

A strong message throughout the 3rd session of the Fair Seas Conference - Stewardship, Governance, and Marine Protection - was that effective marine protection depends on continuity, cooperation, and long-term commitment beyond political cycles.

Speakers also emphasised that healthy marine ecosystems support biodiversity, climate resilience, sustainable fisheries, and coastal livelihoods, and that successful ocean protection requires bringing people together from the beginning.

03/06/2026

Join us next week at Clahane in Liscannor Bay for an Explore Our Shore event, supported by Clare County Council

8 June at 6pm

Please book on eventbrite so we can manage numbers.

03/06/2026

Session 2 of the Fair Seas Conference - From Designation to Delivery: Making Marine Protected Areas Effective- concluded with a strong discussion on what makes Marine Protected Areas effective in practice.

Panel speakers explored the challenges of enforcement, governance, stakeholder trust, and balancing marine protection with community needs and sustainable ocean use.

A recurring message throughout the session was that effective ocean protection requires not only legislation and policy, but also people, partnerships, education, and long-term commitment.

03/06/2026

Will McClintock of University of Santa Barbara highlighted the importance of stakeholder mapping as a tool to identify important areas for fishing, biodiversity, recreational to create "value maps".

Simple but effective ......

03/06/2026

IWDG at the International Ocean conference in Cork City organised by Fair Seas to push government to roll out effective, well managed MPAs to improve Ocean biodiversity, increase fish stocks and build Ocean resilience

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

World Ocean Week Conference first session.

Speakers highlighted that protecting Ireland’s seas will require not only ambitious targets and legislation, but also meaningful stakeholder engagement, scientific research, long-term management, and effective enforcement.

The Taoiseach officially addressed the close of the first session, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to marine protection and recognising the importance of collaboration between communities, scientists, policymakers, and industry in shaping the future of Ireland’s seas.

Key points raised included:
• The importance of international cooperation on ocean protection
• Ireland’s role in supporting global marine biodiversity agreements
• The challenge of balancing conservation, climate action, offshore development, and coastal livelihoods
• The need for public understanding and national conversations around ocean protection
• Questions around how Marine Protected Areas will be monitored, managed, and enforced in practice

A recurring message throughout the session was that what happens beneath the surface of our seas directly shapes coastal communities, biodiversity, climate resilience, and Ireland’s future.