Several whales washed ashore in Ireland over recent weeks may have been confused while trying to swim away from underwater military sonar signals, experts suspect. “Typically we might record one or two sperm whales stranded or dead at sea. It hasn’t happened before with sperm whales.”Last August and September, up to 13 beaked whales – an even more elusive species than sperm whales – washed ashore along the coast within weeks of each other. “Potentially those species were affected by noise pollution, such as military sonar but investigations are ongoing between Ireland and Scotland to understand that,” he told RTÉ Radio. Mr O’Callaghan said the IWGD is speaking with counterparts in Scotland about trends there recently where large numbers of whales have washed ashore since last year.

Source: The Irish Times April 04, 2019 14:03 UTC