Wildlife cameraman spots rare humpback off Welsh coast — SkimNews
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- Dan Abbot, a wildlife cinematographer and shark guide known as "Sharkman Dan," was on a blue shark snorkelling trip in the Celtic Sea on 25 September when a guest spotted a whale blow 25-30 miles offshore, and he identified it as a humpback by its white pectoral fins, tail-lifting behavior, and barnacles on the head — features that rule out the more common fin whale.
- Lloyd Nelmes of Sea Trust Wales said humpback sightings in Welsh waters happen only once every two or three years, making it "insanely rare" for a casual observer, and noted they appear to be becoming more common, likely tied to abundant food supply in the Celtic Deep.
- Nelmes had been out to the same Celtic Deep waters the day before Abbot's sighting and reported seeing six fin whales, tuna balling up, and 1,000-plus dolphins, framing the humpback's presence as part of a wider feeding bonanza.
- The waters around the sighting were alive with feeding activity from bluefin tuna, dolphins, and gannets, which Abbot said is not unusual at this time of year but created the conditions for a chance encounter with the humpback.
- Abbot said the unexpected nature of the sighting made it especially meaningful, telling passengers: "I'm a wildlife cameraman but when something happens like that unexpectedly and catches you off guard, there's something about it that kind of makes it even more special."
Why it matters: Humpback whales appear in Welsh waters only once every two or three years, yet Nelmes reports the encounters are increasing as the Celtic Deep fills with prey species — six fin whales, bluefin tuna, and 1,000-plus dolphins in a single day. That food-driven shift is what likely drew this individual humpback 25-30 miles offshore, turning a routine shark-snorkel trip into a rare cetacean encounter for paying guests.
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