Taxonomy
Globicephala melas | Long-finned Pilot Whale
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) | 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
- 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: Taylor, B.L. et al 2008.
Long-finned Pilot Whales are recorded year-round in Irish waters, however there is a seasonal variation in records- fewer animals are recorded in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. It is not clear as yet whether this is a result of variation in recording effort or an actual variation in presence.
Source: Wall, D. et al 2013.
Species Biology
Identification
- Max body length: Adult male c. 6.2m (20ft), adult female c. 5.4m (17ft)
- Average body length: 4m (13ft)
- Blow: Strong and bushy, visible in good conditions and quite audible
- Head: Bulbous and may overhang the snout on older males
- Beak: Almost absent
- Dorsal fin: Unmistakable, large, long at base, and rounded at the tip
- Pectoral fin: As the name suggests, they are long, sickle-shaped & pointed at the tip
- Colouring / Markings: Black apart from light coloured W shaped patch on throat.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Habitat
Long-finned Pilot Whales are more likely to be recorded in deeper waters over and beyond the continental slope, in temperate to sub-polar waters and in both northern and southern hemispheres. They are more rarely recorded nearer coasts than in offshore waters.
Source: 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.
Reproduction
- Max life expectancy: 40-50 years
- Average life expectancy: 20 years
- Gestation period: 16 months
- Calves born: Late summer
- Female sexual maturity: 6 years
- Males sexual maturity: 12-13 years
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 |
| Threats and pressures from outside the EU territory | XE | Low |
| Threats and pressures from outside the member state | XO | 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 were
listed.
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.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007; Taylor, B.L. 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; NPWS 2013a.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Occurs in temperate and and sub-polar waters. Populations occur in northern and southern hemispheres but these appear isolated from each other. The 'species' may actually consist of three separate species but further research is necessary.
Source:Taylor, B.L. 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
Long-finned pilot whales primarily occur in deep water beyond the Irish Shelf edge. The highest relative abundances were recorded in the Rockall Trough and the lower slopes of the Porcupine Bank.
Source: Wall, D. et al 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 on the distribution of the Long-finned Pilot 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. Globicephala melas. 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
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. Globicephala melas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 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.