By: Alina Zhang

On July 15, 2024, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), a North Atlantic right whale was sighted swimming near Sliabh Liag, county Donegal. This was exceptionally rare record because the last time this type of whale was seen around Ireland was in 1910.

North Atlantic right whales have been listed as an endangered species since 1970 as human activity has greatly impacted their numbers for centuries. Most recently pollution and fishing practices are putting the great mammals in danger. The IWDG is asking people not to seek the whales but instead, to give them space in the oceans.

The large dark body of the whale was seen by lucky vacationer Adrian Maguire while fishing for mackerel with his wife and two friends. Conor Ryan, an honorary research fellow at the Scottish Association for Marine Science said, “It is the first sighting of a North Atlantic right whale off Ireland in 144 years, I was very skeptical at first because it’s such an unbelievable occurrence.” Connor Ryan said there are less than 400 North Atlantic right whales left, which makes them very rare. Centuries ago they were common in Europe but their population went down due to whaling.

Even though the photos Maguire and his friends and wife took left Ryan and his colleagues unsure of what it was, after watching the video footage, they immediately knew it was a North Atlantic right whale from the crusty white markings ofcallosities, or skin-damaged by whale lice.

In their press release, IWDG said, “North Atlantic right whales are most susceptible to ship strike and even a collision with a small vessel can have fatal consequences for the individual and a significant impact at a population level. Please give it space.’’