Sightings
Tell us what you've seen!
Have you seen dolphins while out yachting or spotted seals while walking on coastal footpaths? We need to know!
Marine mammals including bottlenose dolphins, common seals and even the occasional whale have been seen in our waters but how unusual are they? And which areas are important for them? You can help us answer these questions and help to protect these important animals.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has joined forces with the South Coast Seal Project and Dorset Marine Mammal Research Programme to gather information on marine mammals from those lucky enough to see these fabulous creatures in the wild.
Your Sighting
You can either print the Marine Mammal recording form and post it to us or fill it in here and submit it to us. The most important details are date, time and location of your sighting. Any extra information including sketches, photos or video footage would be extremely useful.
If you would like to report any other marine animal that you have encountered please visit the Shoresearch page.
What are the records used for?
All sightings will be entered onto the databases of the South Coast Seal Project and Dorset Marine Mammal Research Programme. Details will also be submitted to the Sea Watch Foundation's Database. Your information will help us gain a better understanding of the marine mammals that use our waters and the threats they face, so that we may protect them.
What do you need to see marine mammals?
Binoculars, a notepad and pencil, warm, waterproof clothing and patience.
Where should you watch from?
Choose a place along a coastal path with good panoramic view or, if you are out on the water, keep a look out as soon as you leave the quay. If you are watching from a boat, please follow the boat user's Code of Conduct to avoid disturbing the animals or causing distress.
What should you look out for?
White water - was it a wave or a dolphin splash?
Seabirds - Gulls circling in the air and gannets diving are often a sign of marine mammals below.
Fins - What was that dark shape that you glimpsed out of the corner of your eye?
Bobbing - A seal often rests with its head bobbing in and out of the water and can be easily mistaken for a buoy or a piece of driftwood, check to be sure.
When you think you may have seen a dolphin, whale or seal with your naked eye, use binoculars to get a closer look. Do not be surprised if you lose sight of the animal for a while, marine mammals often dive for up to 5 minutes before returning to the surface to breathe.
Marine Mammal Identification
The Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly website contains an excellent ID guide.
What to do if you find a stranded marine mammal?
Please do not touch, as marine mammals both alive and dead may carry contagious diseases. If you find a dead whale or dolphin you should call the Natural History Museum on 020 7942 5155 if it is on the mainland. On the Isle of Wight please call 01983 529199.
If you find a live whale or dolphin stranded call Southern Marine Life Rescue 08700 117 657. Remember that a seal on the shore may be resting and not in need of help or disturbance.
Dolphin bycatch
The Wildlife Trusts have been actively involved in campaigning to prevent dolphins from dying in fishing nets (known as 'bycatch'). The Dolphin Disaster Campaign in 2007 culminated in the presentation of a petition with 371,000 signatures calling for an end to dolphin bycatch to the European Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner, Joe Borg.
The Commissioner was also presented with the findings of the South West Dolphin Report which has been jointly produced by The Wildlife Trusts and Marine Connection. The report summarises 14 years of cetacean sightings and strandings off South West England and makes recommendations for action to stop dolphin deaths from bycatch.
Download a summary copy of the South West Dolphin Report. (Large file - 4MB)
Download a low resolution copy of the full South West Dolphin Report; (Large file - 5MB) a high resolution copy of the full report on CD can be requested by emailing the Marine Connection's Fisheries & Policy Officer, Lissa Goodwin on lissa.goodwin@btopenworld.com
February 2008 - the issue of dolphin bycatch was raised in a debate in the House of Commons and the work of The Wildlife Trusts was highlighted. To read the full debate click here.
Other marine animals
We would also be interested in any sightings of sea turtles, sharks and jellyfish. Please send us an email: feedback@hwt.org.uk.
