Every year, scientists at the Sea Watch Foundation lead a campaign to get members of the general public contributing to science to protect whales and dolphins and they’re calling on you to get involved!

For over 40 years, Sea Watch Foundation scientists as well as volunteer observers all around the coast have been reporting on whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) to inform Sea Watch’s huge database of records. In fact, the scheme is one of the oldest and longest running citizen science schemes in the world.

Now it’s your turn to take part in their flagship summer event, the ‘National Whale & Dolphin Watch’ which is now in its 16th year. National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2017 takes place July 29 - August 6 and, with your help, could be the most successful ever!

“Many people don’t realise the wealth of whales and dolphins we have around our coasts. You don’t need to go abroad to go whale watching or to have a dolphin experience,” said Kathy James, sightings officer for Sea Watch Foundation.

“Cardigan Bay is famed for its dolphin sightings, but did you know that dolphins are seen all the way around the Welsh coast? Bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoise predominate in the north, with species such as Risso’s dolphins and short-beaked common dolphin adding to the list in the south. Minke whales are often seen off Pembrokeshire and in the Irish Sea off Anglesey and there’s usually an annual report of passing killer whales too!” she added.

“And you’d be surprised at what you see even in places that aren’t designated hotspots; it’s all about getting out there to spot the animals using your patch and reporting what you see. Ultimately, even if you don’t see any cetaceans during a watch, that information is just as valuable to us as it helps us to build a picture all around the UK. All that people need to do to take part is to report their whale and dolphin sightings to us and to either participate in the advertised organised watches or to arrange their own. No experience is necessary!” said Kathy.

During the nine-day 2016 event, 11 different whales and dolphins were recorded in UK waters as well as the tiny harbour porpoise which measures just a metre-and-a-half when fully grown. Some 277 sightings were logged around Wales, and West Wales topped the charts for the highest regional sightings anywhere in the UK.

For more facts and figures from last year’s event, see the 2016 National Whale and Dolphin Watch report.

The National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2017 is just over a week away and the research charity behind the event are urging people to register now to run watches of their own to contribute valuable data for the protection of these magnificent species!

Please get in touch to find out more and to take part!

Find out more about the event: www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw

Join a registered event:www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2017-watch-list (please note that new events are being added all the time so keep looking!)