Taxonomy
Delphinus delphis | Common Dolphin
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING |
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Favourable |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Favourable |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Favourable |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | Favourable |
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland | Not evaluated* |
| Europe (1) | Data deficient |
| Global (2) | Least concern |
* There is currently no Irish Red List for Marine Mammals.
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Annex II, 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
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Whale Fisheries Act 1937
Native status
The 2012 IUCN Global Red List for this species lists Ireland as one of the countries where it is native.
Source: Hammond, P.S. et al 2012.
Currently, the Common Dolphin is present all year round in Irish waters. Densities appears to be highest off the south and south west coasts in summer and autumn. High densities have been recorded in spring and summer in the south of the Irish sea.
Source: Wall D.et all 2013.
Species Biology
Identification
- Maximum body length: Adult male 2.6m, adult female 2.3m
- Average body length: Adult 1.7 - 2.4m
- Head : Eye ring and line from jaw to flipper
- Beak: Black, long [to 34cms]
- Dorsal fin: Tall, falcate, located mid-back. Often dark with a lighter centre.
- Colouration: The beak, back and appendages are dark brown to black, and the ventral surface is white. The front flank patches are yellow and the rear flank and the sides of the tail-stock are streaked light grey. These features give a distinctive hourglass pattern on the sides, which is the most characteristic feature of common dolphins.
- Markings: Distinctive black back and cape form a V-shaped saddle that dips below the dorsal fin. Hourglass pattern on sides. The eye is surrounded by black, and a narrow stripe runs forward to the melon. Another dark stripe runs from chin to flipper and several face to anus stripes may also be visible.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Habitat
Globally this species occurs from tropical to cool temperate waters, in northern and southern hemispheres, from continental-shelf to deep far offshore waters.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.
In Irish waters the species is less associated with the deeper waters over the continental slope than with the continental shelf.
Source: Wall D.et all 2013.
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Open marine water (MW1)
Sources: Harris S.,Yalden D.W., 2008; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Reproduction
- Females sexually mature at approximately 9-10 years.
- Males sexually mature at approximately 12 years.
- Mating and calving in the east North Atlantic take place between May and September.
- Gestation is approximately 12 months.
- Maximum recorded age in east North Atlantic is 28 years.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources* | F02 | Medium |
| Seismic exploration, explosions | H06.05 | Medium |
| Death or injury by collision | G05.11 | Low |
| Noise nuisance, noise pollution | H06.01 | Low |
| Marine water pollution | H03 | Low |
| Changes in abiotic conditions | M01 | Low |
*This would include the threat to this species of becoming by-catch / accidental catch as well as the threat of a reduction in prey availability 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 are currently 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 some legislative, and other protection afforded the species there were no suggested Conservation Actions in the global 2012 IUCN Red
List Assessment or the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red
List Assessment, that are currently applicable to Irish waters.
Sources: Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group; Hammond, P.S. et al 2008.
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)
Global marine distribution in tropical and temperate coastal, inshore, shelf and offshore waters.
Source:Hammond, P.S. et al 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
Distribution is widespread, but mainly concentrated on the south and west coasts of Ireland. Densities appear to be highest during autumn and summer off the south and south-west coasts, higher along south east coasts in the spring and summer.
Source: Wall D.et all 2013.
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 of the distribution of the Common Dolphin 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
Hammond, P.S., Bearzi, G., Bjørge, A., Forney, K., Karczmarski, L., Kasuya, T., Perrin, W.F., Scott, M.D., Wang, J.Y., Wells, R.S. & Wilson, B. 2008. Delphinus delphis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 October 2014.
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. Delphinus delphis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 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
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.