This article is from page 6 of the 2014-01-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
FEARS have been expressed for the safety of Dusty the Dolphin following the stranding of a pilot whale in rough seas off Doolin over the weekend.
The 12-foot long whale was washed ashore on rocks close to Doolin Pier on Friday evening, in the early stages of the weekend storm surge. The whale, which was most likely already dead when it came ashore, was taken out to sea again by the storm on Saturday, before being re-stranded on rocks close to Fishers Street on Saturday evening.
Doolin’s most well-known resident, Dusty the Dolphin has not been spotted since January 10, when she came close to shore in the wake of the New Year storm.
According to Simon Berrow of the Clare based Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Dusty has most likely moved to deeper waters to avoid the worst effects of the recent storms and will return again when conditions improve.
“The storms might seem incredibly rough to us on the surface, but once you swim down 20 or 30 metres the effects would be minimal,” he said.
“I think it is unlikely that storms like we’ve had in recent weeks would affect Dusty. She is probably safe and well out in deeper waters. Prolonged bad weather, like what we’ve experienced in recent weeks, might make it difficult for Dusty to hunt and find food. That is a bigger concern than the rough seas themselves.”
Last year the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group recorded the largest number of whale and dolphin strandings on record in Ireland. At present, there is no obvious reason as to why so many whales and dolphins were washed ashore in 2013.
“It is a puzzle and unfortunately at the moment we have more questions than answers. Last year was a record year for whale and dolphin strandings and there doesn’t seem to be any reason for it,” continued Simon.
“Sometimes you can identify trends and establish reasons as to why there would be a spike of strandings at one time or another, but the reasons behind the figures for 2013 are a mystery.
“We are hoping to put together a research group to track these strandings and see if we can establish a trend but at the moment it is a puzzle.”
To report a stranded whale or dolphin email strands@iwdg.ie.