Ireland's only resident group of dolphins is to be protected by a foundation which aims to control the development of eco-tourism in the Shannon estuary.
The Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation has been established by Shannon Development, with support from Duchas, the Marine Institute, Kilrush Urban District Council, Clare County Council and local community interests.
A recent Marine Institute study estimates that there are 113 dolphins in the estuary, ranging from singletons to groups of 32.
These bottlenose dolphins are the only resident group in Ireland, and one of only six groups in Europe, according to the recent study by Dr Emer Rogan, Simon Ingram, Brian Holmes and Conor O'Flanagan.
It noted that two operators made approximately 200 dolphin-watching trips annually. A third operation is to be set up in Kilrush this season.
The foundation aims to control this development and protect Ireland's only designated marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC). "The Shannon estuary is probably the best place in Europe to observe wild dolphins," said Dr Simon Berrow, the new manager of the foundation.
Dolphin-watching operators within the SAC must seek permission from the Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, and must respect codes of conduct, provide monitoring data and demonstrate competence in environmental interpretation.
However, a recent workshop hosted by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) questioned the role of SACs in protecting small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises).
It said that a sighting scheme, combined with tracking studies, would be the most effective way of identifying key habitats.
The workshop also welcomed an initiative by fishermen in Co Kerry to close some areas to commercial fishing.
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