Taxonomy
Lagenorhynchus albirostris | White-beaked 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) | Least Concern |
| 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 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.
Records for the White-beaked Dolphin in Irish waters come from every season, however sightings are rare.
Source: Wall D.et all 2013.
As there is insufficient information on seasonal distribution in Irish waters, for the purposes of this profile Lagenorhynchus albirostris is considered as native.
Species Biology
Identification
- Average adult body length / weight 2.7m / 200kg
- Average length / weight of calf at birth: 1.2m / 40kg
- Blow: None
- Head: Short but distinct beak. Beak not always white or light grey, with animals in the south of the geographical range tending to have dark or even black beaks.
- Dorsal Fin: Prominent dark dorsal fin, mid-way along the back. Relatively large and sickle shaped.
- Colouration: Fin, flukes and flippers a uniform dark grey. Patchwork of white, light-grey, dark-grey, and black along the flanks. Usually dark from the forehead to the trailing edge of the dorsal fin.
- Markings: A distinctive white or pale-grey saddle behind the dorsal fin is characteristic of this species and useful in field identification. Two white patches are normally found on the flanks, one either side in front of the dorsal fin and the others on the flank behind the dorsal fin. These patches may merge into the pale saddle behind the dorsal fin.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Habitat
The White-beaked Dolphin is a species of the northern North Atlantic, being found in cold temperate to sub-arctic waters on the east and west of the North Atlantic. Most records are from waters over continental shelf.
Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008; European Mammal Assessment Team, 2007.
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Open marine water (MW1)
Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Reproduction
- Estimated minimum life expectancy female: 39 years.
- Estimated minimum life expectancy male: 32 years.
- Mating Occurs: July - October.
- Calving: May -August in their Northern feeding grounds.
- Gestation: About 10 Months.
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 |
| Marine water pollution | H03 | Low |
| Changes in abiotic conditions | M01 | Low |
| Threats and pressures from outside the EU territory | XE | 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.
Suggested Conservation Actions in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List Assessment included;
- More intensive research of bycatch catch rates.
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)
North Atlantic, from the east coast of North America to the coasts of Britain and Ireland and Scandinavia. North to Svalbard, south to Cape Cod / France.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.
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
Occasional records only, mainly from northwest. Thought to be in decline in Irish and British waters, possibly in response to climate change effects on sea temperature.
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 White-beaked 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.A., Karkzmarski, L., Kasuya, T., Perrin, W.F., Scott, M.D., Wang, J.Y. , Wells, R.S. & Wilson, B. 2012. Lagenorhynchus albirostris. 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. Lagenorhynchus albirostris. 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.