Harbour porpoise and calf at Hurlstone Point- Brian Gibbs
Sea Watch
Take part in the Sea Watch Foundation's monitoring programme as volunteer observers through regular surveys along the coast.
Cetaceans are at risk due to continuous threats to them and their habitats, including capture and drowning in fishing gear, sound disturbance, marine pollution and over-fishing.
Sea Watch Foundation is a national charity working to improve the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises.
The Bristol Channel has a resident population of harbour porpoises as well as being visited by various species of dolphin.
You can take part in a monitoring programme as volunteer observers through regular surveys along the coast organized by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. We also offer training by Sea Watch experts in how to carry out monitoring and surveying of this important group of sea mammals.
How to do your own Seawatch survey (https://youtu.be/CwgxhTaDmpE)
Mark Ward, Somerset Wildlife Trust, and Vanessa Lloyd, Seawatch Foundation, explain how you can carry out your own Seawatch survey and identify some of the marine creatures you may spot.
Sea Mammal Strandings in Somerset Webinar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJHbg5bfmcw)
Mark Ward (Somerset Wildlife Trust), Vanessa Lloyd (Seawatch Foundation), Rob Deaville (Institute of Zoology) and Andrew Baillie (Natural History Museum) explain how we in Somerset can report strandings and what is done with the data.
Get involved
Find out more by clicking the boxes below.
You can also share sightings and learn more about Somerset's marine mammals by joining the Somerset & Exmoor Marine Mammal Sightings Facebook group!
Spring Synchronised Sea Watch Survey (2) - Somerset Coast
Take part in our 2025 Spring synchronised Sea Watch survey, looking out for porpoises, dolphins and other marine megafauna at a Somerset…
Somerset and Bristol Channel Marine Strandings Network - Volunteer Training Day
A training session for Bristol Channel residents from Somerset, Bristol and Devon wishing to join a new Marine Strandings Volunteer…
-
Spring Synchronised Sea Watch Survey (1) - Somerset Coast
Take part in our 2025 Spring synchronised Sea Watch survey, looking out for porpoises, dolphins and other marine megafauna at a Somerset…
Sea Watch Training - Berrow & Brean
Training on how to carry out coastal watches for dolphins and porpoises followed by a Sea Watch survey at Brean Down.
-
Sea Watch February Survey - Brean Down "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
-
Sea Watch January Survey - Hurlstone Point "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
- Cancelled
Sea Watch December Survey - Watchet "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
-
Autumn Synchronised Sea Watch Survey (2) - Somerset Coast
Take part in our 2024 Autumn synchronised Sea Watch survey, looking out for porpoises, dolphins and other marine megafauna at a Somerset…
-
Autumn Synchronised Sea Watch Survey (1) - Somerset Coast
Take part in our 2024 Autumn synchronised Sea Watch survey, looking out for porpoises, dolphins and other marine megafauna at a Somerset…
- Cancelled
Sea Watch October Survey - Ladye Bay, Clevedon "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
-
Sea Watch September Survey - Hurlstone Point "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
Sea Mammal Strandings in Somerset
Expert advice on how we can better monitor and report sea mammal strandings in Somerset.
Reports
We are hoping that the data collected in this year's survey programme will help further inform and add to our knowledge of cetaceans off the Somerset coast. Our past reports can be found below.