A RARE Sowerby's whale was spotted off the West coast of Wales.

The amazing sighting has been described as a "possible first for the Welsh Coast" by the Sea Watch Foundation.

The whale was seen off New Quay, Ceredigion, by SeaMôr Dolphin Watching Boat Trips New Quay on September 2, 2023.

The reclusive creature was seen for a short period of time before it swam back into deeper water.

"This is a very rare sighting," said Claudia Afeltra, Communications and Outreach Officer at Sea Watch Foundation.

North Wales Chronicle: The whale was spotted in Cardigan BayThe whale was spotted in Cardigan Bay (Image: Josh Pedley)

"There have only been 13 confirmed sightings of Sowerby's whales in the UK since 2007. While the sighting has not raised immediate concerns for the whale's well-being, as it appeared healthy and naturally retreated to deeper waters, we will closely monitor its movements”.

Sowerby's whales are deep-diving oceanic species that typically live in waters over 1,000 meters deep. They are rarely seen in shallow waters, so this sighting is a significant event.

Sowerby's whales are small to medium-sized beaked whales. They are about 5-7 meters long and weigh up to two-tons. They have a long, slender beak and a small, hooked dorsal fin. 

RELATED STORIES

Sowerby's whales are deep-diving animals and can stay underwater for up to two hours. They feed on squid and fish.

Sowerby's whales are listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The main threats to their survival are entanglement in fishing gear and habitat loss.

The Sea Watch Foundation, a charity that works to protect whales, dolphins, and other marine life, are calling on the public to report any sightings of Sowerby's whales to them. This information can help them to better understand the distribution and behavior of this rare species.

To report a whale sighting, visit the Sea Watch Foundation website.