Taxonomy
Stenella coeruleoalba | Striped 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 | N / A |
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 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*
- 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 2008 IUCN Global Red List for this species lists Ireland as one of the countries where it is native.
Source: Hammond, P.S. et al 2008.
There were only two sightings of live animals of this species during the 2005-2011 Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, however nearly 100 individuals of the species were stranded during the period of the survey. Trawler records from the 1990s show most bycatch of the species was in waters beyond the continental shelf off the south west of Ireland.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
As there is insufficient information on seasonal distribution in Irish waters, for the purposes of this profile Stenella coeruleoalba is considered as native.
Species Biology
Identification
- Maximum body length adult male: 2.4m
- Maximum body length adult female: 2.25m
- Average body length adult male: 2.0m
- Average body length adult female: 1.85m
- Mean adult weight: 79-90kg
- Beak: Prominent long slender beak.
- Dorsal fin: Tall and curved.
- Coloration: Dark blue grey cape, the flanks are a lighter grey, leading to pink-white undersides and black pectoral fin.
- Markings: There are a number of dark stripes, one running from the eye to the anus (between the grey and white areas), and others running from the eye backwards on the white ventral surface, often linking with the pectoral fin.
Habitat
Pelagic / oceanic species usually recorded beyond the limits of continental shelf in tropical to temperate waters worldwide, although recently recorded in more northerly waters.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Open marine water (MW1)
Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Life stages
Reproduction
- Max estimated life expectancy: 30-35 years, possibly as high as 50 plus years.
- Female sexual maturity: 15-18 years
- Male sexual maturity: 7-14 years.
- Gestation period: Approximately 12 months
- Calving: April-May in waters of the east North Atlantic.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Seismic exploration, explosions | H06.05 | Medium |
| Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources* | F02 | 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.
There were no suggested Conservation Actions in the global 2008 IUCN Red List Assessment or the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List Assessment for this species that are currently applicable to Irish waters.
Sources: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007; 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)
Wordlwide in tropical and warm temperate waters.
Irish distribution
Confirmed sightings of this warm water, pelagic species are not common in Irish waters, although a number of sightings occur each year. Bycatch data indicate deep waters off the south-west of the Irish Shelf as the most likely Irish site for this species.
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 Striped 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. Stenella coeruleoalba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 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. Stenella coeruleoalba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 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.