The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group is a marine conservation NGO (non governmental organisation). They were established in 1990, their aim is the conservation of cetaceans, (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in Irish waters. The IWDG carries out a range of monitoring, research, education and awareness, aimed at improving the conservation status of cetaceans. The core work of the IWDG is the co-ordination of the all-Ireland cetacean sighting and stranding schemes.
The IWDG approached the WCDP with an application for funding to carry out research on the photo ID, expansion of sampling, land and boat based monitoring to establish whale species diversity, seasonal trends and distribution and status of the cetacean species living in West Cork waters. In order to ensure that whale watching is sustainable in the long term, the IWDG argued that it is of utmost importance that structures underpinning the growth of the whale watching industry are put in place while it is still in its infancy.
The WCDP awarded grant aid of €7100. The subsequent IWDG Large Whale Photo-Identification Study is available to view and download.
