Taxonomy

Mesoplodon bidens | Sowerby's Beaked Whale

Distribution

Status

Conservation status


HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING
RangeFavourable
PopulationUnknown
HabitatFavourable
Future ProspectsUnknown
Overall  Assessment of Conservation StatusUnknown
Overall Trend in Conservation StatusN / A
Source: NPWS 2013.

IUCN Conservation Status

Ireland
Not Evaluated*
Europe (1)Data Deficient
Global (2)Data Deficient
Sources: (1) European Mammal Assessment Team 2007. (2) Taylor, B.L. et al 2008.
* 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
  • Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas*
  • Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II
  • Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004
  • Wildlife Act (1976)
  • Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
  • Whale Fisheries Act 1937
*Ireland is not a signatory.

Native status

The 2008 IUCN Global Red List for this species lists Ireland as one of the countries where it is native.

Source: Taylor, B.L. et al 2008.

Sightings of live animals are rare, likely due to the species preference for deeper water. As there is insufficient information on seasonal distribution in Irish waters, for the purposes of this profile Ziphius  cavirostris is considered as native.

Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Species Biology

Identification

  • Max. adult length:         6.7m
  • Max. adult weight:        1,300kg
  • Average adult length:    5m
  • Average adult weight:   1,100kg
  • Average lengthof calf at birth:           2.4m
  • Average weight of calf at birth:        170kg
  • Blow: Faint and inaudible, even at close range.
  • Head: A definite bulge is present just in front of the blowhole. The beak is long and slim. The lower jaw slightly protrudes beyond the upper.
  • Dorsal Fin: Small fin located two-thirds of way along the back.
  • Colouration: Bluish to dark grey but younger animals tend to have lighter bellies. All individuals have white areas on the lower jaw.
  • Markings: As they grow older they become progressively more scarred with rake marks and white, oval rings caused by parasites.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Habitat

Based on confirmed sightings at sea and evidence from bycatch Sowerby's Beaked Whale most likely inhabits deeper oceanic waters beyond the limits of continental shelf slopes. Distribution centred on temperate waters of the North Atlantic east, central and west.

Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008

Habitat;

  • Open marine water (MW1)

Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.

Reproduction

  • Max. life expectancy: At least 35yrs.
  • Average life expectancy: Unknown.
  • Mating Occurs: Unknown.
  • Calving: Winter.
  • Gestation: Unknown.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Threats faced

THREAT
ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE
RANKING
Seismic exploration, explosionsH06.05Medium
Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources*F02Low
Death or injury by collision
G05.11
Low
Noise nuisance, noise pollution
H06.01
Low
Changes in abiotic conditionsM01Low
Threats and pressures from outside the Member State
XOLow
Source: NPWS 2013.

*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.

In addition to an acknowledgement of the existence of legislative protection, suggested Conservation Actions in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment for this species included;

  • More co-ordinated research efforts by range states.
Source:  IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.

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)

Distribution centred on temperate waters of the North Atlantic east, central and west.


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

Apart from four sightings along the west and south coasts, little is known about Sowerby's beaked whale in Irish waters. It may be more common here than records suggest, though its main distribution in Irish waters lies in deep waters off the edge of the continental shelf. It has been recorded during recent surveys off the shelf edge. Animals may migrate southward in winter and closer to shore during summer months.

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 Sowerby's Beaked 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.

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. Mesoplodon bidens. 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. Mesoplodon bidens. 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.








Images