A Minke whale has been spotted off the coast of Wales in a special conservation area for more than a decade. On June 15 and 16, 2023, a team of marine researchers from Sea Watch Foundation were greeted with sightings of two of the whales during surveys in the area.
The Minke whales were sighted around ten nautical miles off the coast of Cardigan Bay, in an area teeming with shearwaters. The Sea Watch Foundation said that the whales were observed engaging in deep dives, which is indicative of foraging behavior. They also said that the whales are considered an indicator species, meaning that their presence indicates that the ecosystem is healthy.
Minke whales are slender with a pointed triangular head and single central ridge. They can grow to as big as 28ft for an adult and has a relatively tall dorsal fin, sickle-shaped and situated nearly two-thirds along the back.
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The whales are widely distributed in relatively small numbers along the Atlantic seaboard of Europe mainly from Norway south to France, and in the northern North Sea. Minke whales are mainly seen in coastal waters from May to October.
The sightings off the Welsh coast were made during line-transect surveys, which are a type of scientific research that involves systematically measuring the abundance and distribution of marine species. The surveys were conducted by a team of researchers from Sea Watch Foundation, led by Katrin Lohrengel.
This is the first minke whale sighting in a decade within the Cardigan SAC, with sightings being more prevalent further down in Pembrokeshire. Another minke whale was sighted the following day, June 16, 2023, 11 nautical miles off the Llyn Peninsula during a separate survey conducted by Professor Peter GH Evans, Director of the Sea Watch Foundation.
Sea Watch said: "The sighting of the minke whale stands as a testament to the effectiveness of our research methodologies and the unwavering dedication of our team. Moreover, it serves as a beacon of hope for future discoveries that can contribute to the ongoing conservation endeavors in the Cardigan Bay SAC.
"As we celebrate this momentous milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to expanding our understanding of marine ecosystems and advocating for the protection of vulnerable species. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the local community, volunteers, and stakeholders whose unwavering support has made sightings like this possible."
