Globicephala melas Traill, 1809
Family: Delphinidae
Long-finned pilot whales occur in warm temperate to sub-polar waters in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Although they are occasionally seen off the west and south-west coast of Ireland, sightings in Northern Ireland coastal waters are unlikely. Over the last twenty years there have been three records of long-finned pilot whales, found dead, on the County Londonderry shoreline. The inhabitants of the Faroe Islands (Danish Islands in the north-east Atlantic) still hunt long-finned pilot whales. In the annual “grind”, hundreds of animals are rounded up by boat, herded into shallow water and slaughtered.
In brief
Species description
The long-finned pilot whale is one of the largest members of the dolphin family (adults are 3.8-7.6m long). The body is black, with a pale W-shaped patch beneath the chin that extends along the belly. The pectoral fins are long and pointed. The dorsal fin, wide at the base and distinctly hooked and rounded at the tip, is located less than halfway down the body. The head is bulbous, with a very slightly protruding beak. There are 40-48 small teeth.
Life cycle
Long-finned pilot whales are very social animals. They are usually found in groups of 20-90 individuals. Squid, octopus and cuttlefish are their main food, although small fish may be taken when available. Calves are born in the summer and suckle for up to 2 years or more. Mass strandings are, unfortunately, relatively common for this species.
Similar species
Long-finned pilot whales may be confused with either Risso’s dolphin or the killer whale. The easiest way to tell the species apart is by body shape and colouration. Killer whales have very obvious black and white markings while Risso’s dolphins are dark/pale grey, criss-crossed with heavy scarring.
How to see this species
Long-finned pilot whales are usually found in deep offshore waters and are therefore unlikely to be seen in the waters around Northern Ireland.
Current status
Why is this species a priority in Northern Ireland?
Threats/Causes of decline
Conservation of this species
Current action
Long-finned pilot whales are included in the UK Biodiversity Grouped Species Action Plan for toothed whales, which was published in 1999.
Proposed objectives/actions
What you can do
To report long-finned pilot whale sightings to CEDaR, Telephone 028 9039 5264 or email cedar.info@nmni.com
Further information
Links
UK Grouped Species Action Plan for toothed whales
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) priority species pages
NBN Gateway: Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) grid map
Cetaceans of Northern Ireland - Sea Watch Foundation
Literature
Irish Cetacean Review 2000-2009, The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Text written by:
Angela Ross
iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database