Here at Sea Watch we encourage everyone to get involved with out national cetacean monitoring programme, from you at home to seafarers and other environmental organisations too. We are thrilled that ORCA have chosen to support the National Whale & Dolphin Watch for the third year running, with their Ocean Watch scheme aimed at staff on board ferries and cruises.
ORCA OceanWatch is an exciting initiative aimed at involving seafarers in the collection of data on whales and dolphins. In 2017, almost 200 seafarers from across the UK ferry and cruise network have been trained by ORCA, teaching them how to monitor & identify whales, dolphins and porpoises during their voyages. Bridge crew then volunteer their time to record sightings for a dedicated period during National Whale and Dolphin Watch.
ORCA’s Lucy Babey surveying on the bridge of the Loch Nevis earlier this year.
ORCA analyse these sightings and use them to create an invaluable snap shot of the distribution and diversity of cetaceans in UK & European waters, whilst also involving seafarers in a wider conservation initiative. ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyor teams and Wildlife Officers are also out in force to raise awareness of the amazing wildlife that’s on our doorstep.
ORCA’s Anna Bunney has been instrumental in raising awareness of marine mammals for the organisation.
With thirteen shipping operators taking part on more than 45 vessels, ORCA OceanWatch 2017 is the biggest yet and has become a key date in the calendar for the many crews who are interested in the marine wildlife around them and doing their bit to protect our marine environment.
For more information, please visit ORCA’s website: www.orcaweb.org.uk/get-involved/OceanWatch and search for #ORCAOceanWatch
