Feature, Freight News, Sea


Seal of approval for Dublin Port development

[ January 28, 2025   //   ]

Dublin Port says that the local seal population remains healthy and thriving despite large-scale marine construction works as part of the second phase of Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040 (MP2).

The findings were confirmed by a comprehensive new survey of ‘haul-out’ sites which are important for seals as it enables them to carry out essential functions such as resting, pupping and moulting. Knowledge of the location and use of these sites is important for conservation management to ensure they remain available and undisturbed during key times of the year.

A total of ten seal haul-out sites were surveyed mostly with unmanned aerial vehicles. Overall, grey seals were more abundant than harbour seals, with maximum counts of 326 in October and 300 in July. Harbour seal numbers peaked at 117 in July.

Seals are an integral part of Dublin Bay’s marine biodiversity, frequently observed along the coast from Sandycove to Bull Island and even within the port area.

The MP2 project involves extensive piling operations at the port’s easternmost point to construct two new ferry berths. As part of these works, Dublin Port Company (DPC) funded a major study of seals in Dublin Bay and nearby waters, recently published in the Royal Irish Academy journal Biology and Environment.

Most grey seals were recorded on Dalkey, Lambay and St Patrick’s Islands and on Ireland’s Eye, while most harbour seals were observed at Rush Head, Lambay Island and North Bull Island, with small numbers recorded at Sandycove. (Harbour Seals are so named because they follow schools of fish into ports.)

The same haul-out sites were used consistently throughout the survey period and are consistent with previous studies suggesting no changes in the use of haul-out sites has occurred. This is an important finding in view of the extensive work being carried out in Dublin Port and shows the mitigation and monitoring undertaken is proving effective, says DPC.

Dublin Port engineer Eamon McElroy commented: “It is great to see a healthy and thriving seal population in Dublin Bay. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and seek to operate in harmony with the Dublin Bay Biosphere. Working with our partners the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ensures that we responsibly monitor seal populations and can respond to any changes that occur.”

And chief executive of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Simon Berrow, noted: “We are grateful to Dublin Port not only for implementing strict mitigation measures to ensure there is no impact on local marine mammal populations in Dublin Bay and adjacent waters, but that they support research and innovation which will assist in mitigating similar developments elsewhere as well as contributing to our knowledge base.”

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