A single platform line-transect survey using distance sampling was carried out off the north coast of Ireland on 9 August 2012. Sea conditions were excellent throughout the survey with 100% of survey effort carried out in sea-state ≤3 and 63.5% in sea-state ≤1. A total of 178 km of track-line …
Concurrent visual and acoustic surveys for cetaceans were carried out within three survey blocks along the western seaboard of Ireland (Northwest – Block A, west – Block B and southwest – Block C) to investigate species distribution, relative abundance and absolute abundance where possible. Single platform line-transect surveys were carried …
A visual and acoustic survey of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Blasket Islands SAC was carried out in 2014 in order to derive local density and abundance estimates. Single platform line-transect surveys were carried out according to a standardised design on six days between June and September 2014, and …
A population assessment of the bottlenose dolphins in the Lower River Shannon candidate SAC was undertaken between July and October 2010. Dolphins were located on each transect. During 12 transects a total of 64 dolphin groups were encountered with 547 individuals recorded. Group sized ranged from 1-50 overall. Lone dolphins …
A visual survey of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) was carried out in the summer of 2016 within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC, Co Dublin in order to derive local density and abundance estimates. Single platform line-transect surveys were carried out according to a standardised design on four days between …
The Western European Shelf Passive Acoustic Survey is an acoustic survey undertaken by the Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS) Department of the Marine Institute of Ireland. The WESPAS provides a unique opportunity for surveillance of the summer distribution of cetaceans in shelf water habitats along Ireland’s Atlantic margins which can …
Irish waters represent one of the most important marine habitats for seabirds in Europe and are utilized by a wide range of seabird species. However, the at-sea abundance and distribution of many of the seabird species occurring in Irish waters remains poorly understood. Under the EU Birds Directive, there is …
The Western European Shelf Passive Acoustic Survey is an acoustic survey undertaken by the Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS) Department of the Marine Institute of Ireland. The WESPAS provides a unique opportunity for surveillance of the summer distribution of cetaceans in shelf water habitats along Ireland’s Atlantic margins which can …
A cetacean survey during the annual Celtic Sea Herring Acoustic Survey (CSHAS), running from the 10th to the 28th of October 2019. A total of 204 sightings, were recorded throughout the survey. This includes 145 primary sightings, 38 sightings recorded as auxiliary sightings, 20 sightings recorded as incidental sightings, and …
A seabird survey during the annual Western European Shelf Pelagic Acoustic Survey (WESPAS), running from 13th of June to 4th of July and the 4th to 24th July 2019. A standard line transect survey methodology was employed by the seabird survey team with additional visual point sampling at fishing locations …