Taxonomy
Ziphius cavirostris | Cuvier's Beaked Whale
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING |
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Unknown |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Unknown |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Unknown |
| 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
- Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS)*
- Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 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.
Strandings data indicate that strandings may be discovered in any month. 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 body length: c. 7m
- Average body length: c. 6m
- Blow: Slightly forward and to left, inconspicuous
- Head: Gently sloping forehead
- Beak: Indistinct
- Dorsal Fin: Small, falcate
- Colouration: White, beige to brown. Colour varies according to location, sex or age. Older animals almost white.
- Markings: Upper side can be almost white in front of dorsal fin. Swirling patterns typical of many animals. White or cream on underside and sides.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Habitat
As with many other Beaked Whale species this one is more likley to be found in deeper waters, potentially favouring waters over steep slopes such as continental slopes.
Distributed worldwide but favouring warm to temperate 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.
Reproduction
Insufficient data.
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 |
| Changes in abiotic conditions | M01 | Low |
| Threats and pressures from outside the Member State | XO | Low |
*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: 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;
- Further studies on the impact of military sonar on the species
- The use of 'pingers' to reduce by-catch.
- Avoid the use of high impact noises in areas if higher than average abundance of the species.
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)
Likely worldwide in warm to warm-temperate waters.
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
Although rarely seen alive, Cuvier's Beaked Whale is the most frequently recorded Beaked Whales in Irish waters.
Between 1901 and 1995, 21 individuals washed up along our coast, an average of just 1 every 4 years. In 1997, two were recorded. But in nine days in March 2000, three washed up dead on Irish beaches, two in Co. Clare and one in Co. Sligo. Then on May 1st 2000 a fourth washed up at Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry. The IWDG raised the possibilities of these unusual stranding events being linked to offshore seismic surveys along the west coast.
From mid-2000 to the beginning of 2015 there have been over 25 reported strandings of Cuvier's Beaked Whale.
They may occur in numbers over the Atlantic continental shelf - most records Jan to March and June to September.
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 Cuvier'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. Ziphius cavirostris. 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. Ziphius cavirostris. 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