They call him Boomerang - and small wonder. The humpback, one of the world's largest whales, has returned to west Cork waters for the fifth year in a row.
Whale Watch operator Colin Barnes confirmed the first sighting of the returning cetacean (whale/dolphin) this week, 14.5km (nine miles) south of the Stags in west Cork. Boomerang was first identified by photograph on August 29th, 2001, and has been documented on 18 occasions in this area for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).
The whale frequents the west Cork waters until November, and is a little early this year. Normally, he arrives in the last week of August or first week of September, according to Dr Simon Berrow of the IWDG.
Humpbacks grow to a maximum 15.24m (50 ft), and are known for their spectacular breach and "lobtailing" with their flukes. They are also known as the whales that "sing" - with a medley of moans, groans, bellows, whines and gurgles on their warm-water breeding grounds. Humpbacks of different regions have different songs and dialects, but there are only a few thousand left.
The IWDG has welcomed new guidelines for recreational craft involved in whale and dolphin watching in Irish waters, from the Department of Marine's Maritime Safety Directorate.
The new marine notice was drawn up in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the IWDG, as cetaceans are listed species under the natural habitat regulations.
Irish waters have been designated as a sanctuary for whales and dolphins for over a decade under an initiative taken by former taoiseach Charles Haughey.
Craft are encouraged to log all sightings for the IWDG and the NPWS. For information, visit www.iwdg.ie
