1. Your Sighting
2. What are the records used for?
3. What do you need to see marine mammals?
4. Where should you watch from?
5. What should you look out for?
6. Marine Mammal Idenftication Chart
7. What to do if you find a stranded marine mammal?
8. Dolphin Disaster Campaign
The marine mammals sighting survey form encourages members of the public to report sightings and standings of marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals. Seen a dolphin, whale or seal off the coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight? We need your sightings!
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.
Marine mammals are protected by British and European law, but they still face serious threats from commercial fishing, climate change, habitat loss and pollution.
View footage of dolphins
View footage of seals
1. Your Sighting
You can either print the Marine Mammal recording form and post it to us or fill it in and email us back. 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.
2. 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.
3. What do you need to see marine mammals?
Binoculars, a notepad and pencil, warm, waterproof clothing and patience.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Marine Mammal Idenftication Chart
View our Marine Mammal Identification chart
7. What to do if you find a stranded marine mammal?
Please do not touch, as marine mammals both live and dead may carry contagious diseases. If you find a dead whale or dolphin you should call the National 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.
8. Dolphin Disaster Campaign.
The Wildlife Trusts are campaigning for action to prevent dolphins from dying in fishing nets (known as 'bycatch'). Find out more by downloading Dolphin Disaster Campaign.
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
