Harbour porpoise - Niki Clear
SeaWatch
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.
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.
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!
Sea Watch December Survey - Watchet "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
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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…
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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…
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Sea Watch October Survey - Ladye Bay, Clevedon "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
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Sea Watch September Survey - Hurlstone Point "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
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Summer Synchronised Sea Watch Survey (2) - Somerset Coast
Take part in our 2024 Summer synchronised Sea Watch survey, looking out for porpoises, dolphins and other marine megafauna at a Somerset…
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Summer Synchronised Sea Watch Survey (1) - Somerset Coast
Take part in our 2024 Summer synchronised Sea Watch survey, looking out for porpoises, dolphins and other marine megafauna at a Somerset…
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Sea Watch July Survey - Steart (River Parrett) "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
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Sea Watch July Survey - Watchet "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
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Sea Watch Training - Watchet
Training on how to carry out coastal watches for dolphins and porpoises followed by a Sea Watch survey.
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Sea Watch June Survey - Brean Down "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
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Sea Watch May Survey - Redcliffe Bay "Porpoises and Poetry"
Survey for porpoises, dolphins and seals with optional creative writing and drawing!
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.