Irish researchers are hoping to convince coastal communities in Iceland not to hunt and kill whales.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s Celtic Mist research vessel will depart from Donegal on Thursday and spend the summer tracking and photographing humpback whales as they journey from the Irish coast to Iceland. The 52ft vessel belonged to the late former taoiseach Charles Haughey before it was given to the marine research group by his family in 2011.

Almost hunted to the brink of extinction, humpback whales have been sighted in increasing numbers in the waters surrounding Ireland. Recently it has been confirmed that several whales have been observed in both Icelandic and Irish waters. The expedition will aim to forge a relationship between the countries. The research