Irish Sea

Black goby – Gobius niger

Sea Urchin – Gracilechinus acutus

Three-bearded rockling – Gaidropsarus vulgaris

Blackmouth catshark – Galeus melastomus

Three-spined stickleback – Gasterosteus aculeatus

Large Sunset-Shell – Gari depressa

Tope shark – Galeorhinus galeus

Rock goby – Gobius paganellus

Ox-heart Clam, Heart Cockle – Glossus humanus

Dendronotid Nudibranch – Doto floridicola

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Fauna

The Irish Sea is a rich habitat for a wide variety of marine life, including:

  • Fish: Cod, haddock, whiting, plaice, flounder, herring, mackerel, and salmon are some of the commercially important fish species found in the sea.
  • Birds: The sea and its surrounding coasts are important breeding grounds for a large number of seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and fulmars.
  • Mammals: Grey seals and harbor seals breed on the rocky shores, while dolphins, porpoises, and even occasional sightings of whales can be observed in the open waters.
  • Invertebrates: The seabed supports a vast array of invertebrates, including crabs, lobsters, starfish, and various types of shellfish.

Surrounding Countries

The Irish Sea is bordered by four countries:

  • Republic of Ireland
  • Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom)
  • England (part of the United Kingdom)
  • Wales (part of the United Kingdom)

Facts

  • Average depth: 47 meters (154 feet)
  • Deepest point: 270 meters (886 feet)
  • Surface area: 47,000 square miles (122,000 square kilometers)
  • Water temperature: Varies between 6°C (43°F) and 17°C (63°F) throughout the year
  • Tides: The Irish Sea experiences a semi-diurnal tidal pattern, with two high tides and two low tides each day.
  • Major ports: Liverpool, Dublin, Belfast, Holyhead, and Pembroke Dock.