NATURE-LOVERS in the North-East have been urged to join in an annual event aimed at gathering invaluable information about whales and dolphins.
The National Whale and Dolphin Watch launched this weekend will be held until Sunday, August 2.
Each year, scientists at the Sea Watch Foundation lead a campaign to get members of the general public contributing to science to protect whales and dolphins.
Over the past 40 years, whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) around the UK coast has been monitored by Sea Watch Foundation scientists as well as volunteer observers.
Sea Watch Foundation sightings officer Kathy James said: “All that people need to do to take part is to report their whale and dolphin sightings to us and to either participate in the advertised organised watches or to arrange their own.”
Interesting sightings along the North-East coast area recently have include 20 white-beaked dolphins off Inner Farne, Northumberland on July 16, ten bottlenose dolphins off Seahouses, Northumberland on July 15 and a minke whale off Staithes, North Yorkshire on July 12.
The National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2015 website shows pre-organised events on www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2015-watch-list. Alternatively, anyone able to arrange their own watch should visit www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2015/for more information or email outreach@seawatchfoundation.org.uk
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