Scientists to host talk on sea life in Cork

FAIR Seas and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) are hosting a special event in Skibbereen this week to celebrate the rich waters off the southwest coast.

Organisers are inviting the public to attend a talk about the whales, dolphins, and porpoises that make this part of the country their home. Organisers will also hear about how people can play their part in helping to protect these magnificent creatures.

The free event will take place at the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen at 6.30pm on Friday, November 3.

A team of scientists from the Fair Seas campaign and the IWDG will give a series of talks about the aquatic mammals, known as ‘cetaceans’, IWDG’s work this summer to monitor our seas, and the Fair Seas campaign to protect, conserve, and restore Ireland’s unique marine environment.

In recent days, Fair Seas presented a petition with 11,758 signatures from people across Ireland to the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, with the coalition calling on the government for the urgent introduction of strong legislation to protect Ireland’s oceans.

The IWDG’s marine biodiversity officer, Rebecca Dudley, said: “The marine life off the southwest coast of Ireland is truly spectacular. This year, IWDG conducted surveys on our research vessel, Celtic Mist, along our south and west coasts.

“These surveys highlighted the importance of our marine environment and our need to protect it. Our waters support huge biodiversity, which was clear from the surveys, with almost 500 sightings of 11 different species. We urgently need effective legislation to preserve these waters for generations to come.”

Fair Seas Campaign manager Aoife O’Mahony said: “As an island nation, we have a responsibility to conserve and restore our marine environment, as we strive to combat the biodiversity and climate crises.

“The research carried out by the IWDG is fascinating and highlights why we need to protect our marine life. Unfortunately, progress is not happening fast enough, and we’re still waiting to see the Marine Protected Areas Bill that was promised before the summer recess.

“This legislation needs to be published now, and it needs to be strong, legally binding, and capable of doing the job it sets out to do.”