Taxonomy
Hyperoodon ampullatus | Northern Bottlenose Whale
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING |
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Unknown |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Unknown |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Unknown |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N / A |
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland | Not Evaluated* |
| Europe (1) | Data Deficient |
| Global (2) | Data Deficient |
* There is currently no Irish Red List for Marine Mammals.
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II*
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) Appendix II
- Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II
- Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS)**
- International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling 1946 (as amended)
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Whale Fisheries Act 1937
** Ireland is not a signatory.
Native status
Strandings have been reported on all coasts of Ireland. It is thought that there may be migration from arctic to temperate latitudes in late summer-early autumn, although this migration theory is not fully accepted or proven as yet.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
The 2008 IUCN Global Red List for this species lists Ireland as one of
the countries where it is native, however it probably better described
as a migrant in an Irish context.
Sources:Taylor, B.L. et al 2008; de Klem, 1994
Species Biology
Identification
- Adult female length: c. 8.6m
- Adult male length: c. 9.8m
- Calf birth length: c. 3.4m
- Average adult weight: 6-8 tonnes
- Blow: Bushy blow, every 30-40 seconds when at surface, 1-2m high, only visible in calm conditions.
- Head and beak: In females and young, the head is rounded but not particularly defined from the beak. In males, however, the front surface is flat and it overhangs the beak, becoming lighter in colour with age. The bottle-like beak is moderately long.
- Teeth: There are two teeth erupted on the lower jaw in males only, and sometimes another pair can be found just behind these.
- Dorsal fin: Slightly falcate or triangular shape, pointed tip, may be darker than rest of back.
- Fluke: Broad flukes with concave trailing edges, no caudal notch on fluke.
- Colouration: The dorsal surface being dark grey to brown and a grayish white ventral surface, forehead and beak. The skin can appear to have a mottled appearance, and in old males, the facial regions can turn white.
- Markings: Lighter band around neck on some animals, body often scratched and scarred.
Habitat
Deeper waters (usually over 500ms) and away from continental shelf.
Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008; Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Habitat;
- Open marine water (MW1)
Sources: Harris S.,Yalden D.W., 2008; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Reproduction
- Estimated life expectancy: 30-40 years.
- Female sexual maturity: 8-12 years.
- Male sexual maturity: c. 8-11 years.
- Mating peak: April.
- Gestation: Approximately c.12 months.
- Calving peak: April.
Calving interval is thought to be two years, with calves weaned
after approximately a year, however lactation may be extended.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Seismic exploration, explosions | H06.05 | Medium |
| Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources* | F02 | Low |
| Death or injury by collision | G05.11 | Low |
| Noise nuisance, noise pollution | H06.01 | Low |
| Changes in abiotic conditions | M01 | Low |
| Threats and pressures from outside the Member State | XO | Low |
*This would include the threat to this species of a reduction in prey availability as well as the threat of becoming by-catch / accidental catch and also entanglement in fishing gear.
These threats accord well with threats outlined in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment for the species which did not identify any other threats that may be relevant in Irish waters.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented during the period were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
Apart from an acknowledgement of the existence of legislative protection, suggested Conservation Actions in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment includes;
- Further research into defining populations, estimating abundance and estimating catch.
In a 2009 Cetacean Action Plan a total of 41 Actions were identified as part of the plan. The plan and the 2013 review of the plan are available from the NPWS website.
Source: DEHLG 2009.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
A North Atlantic species from temperate waters to arctic waters.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
Rarely sighted off the Irish coast, more commonly seen in deeper waters beyond continental shelf.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to
improve our knowledge on the distribution of the Northern Bottlenosed Whale in
Ireland. Should you observe this species, please submit
sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us
gaining a better insight into where the species
is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect
regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All
records submitted online can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked
and validated these will be added to the database and made available for
conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
DEHLG 2009 Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters.
de Klem, Cyrille, 1994. ‘The Problem of Migratory Species in International Law’, in Helge Ole Bergesen and Georg Parmann (eds.), Green Globe Yearbook ofInternational Co-operation on Environment and Development 1994(Oxford: Oxford University Press), 67–77.
Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.
Species account by IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group; regional assessment by European Mammal Assessment team 2007. Hyperoodon ampullatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 15 October 2014.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
NPWS (2013a) Delivery Schedule for Actions listed in the Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters – June 2013
Taylor, B.L., Baird, R., Barlow, J., Dawson, S.M., Ford, J., Mead, J.G., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G., Wade, P. & Pitman, R.L. 2008. Hyperoodon ampullatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 15 October 2014.
Wall, D., Murray, C., O’Brien, J., Kavanagh, L., Wilson, C., Ryan, C., Glanville, B., Williams, D., Enlander, I., O’Connor, I., McGrath, D., Whooley, P. & Berrow, S. (2013). Atlas of the Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in Irish Offshore Waters: 2005 – 2011. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co. Clare.Relevant links
Additional comments
From the mid-19th to the late 20th century this species was commercially hunted. Up to 65,000 were taken in that time, however many more were likely killed but lost.
Source: Taylor, B.L. et al 2008.