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!
- Fully booked
SeaWatch December Survey - Minehead Harbour "Porpoises and Poetry"
A survey for porpoises, dolphins and other marine life - combined with some optional creative writing! This event has been fully…
- Fully booked
SeaWatch November Survey - Hurlstone Point "Porpoises and Poetry"
A survey for porpoises, dolphins and other marine life - combined with some optional creative writing! This event has been fully…
- Fully booked
SeaWatch October Survey - St Audries "Porpoises and Poetry"
A survey for porpoises, dolphins and other marine life - combined with some optional creative writing! This event has been fully…
- Fully booked
SeaWatch September Survey - Hinkley Point "Porpoises and Poetry"
A survey for porpoises, dolphins and other marine life - combined with some optional creative writing! This event has been fully…
- Cancelled
SeaWatch August Survey - Sand Point
A survey for porpoises, dolphins and other marine life
- Cancelled
SeaWatch July Survey - Clevedon
We are sorry to say this event is cancelled due to the Clevedon Pier being closed until August. Apologies for any inconvenience.
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.
You can see the report from 2014-2018 by clicking below.
Read the 2019 Seawatch report here