Basking shark © Andrew Pearson
Common dolphins © Caroline Weir
Seal © Sue Sayer
Harbour porpoise © Colin Speedie
Our seas are home to a wide range of exciting animals including whales, dolphins and seals. If you are lucky enough to spot one of these animals, reporting it can be really important as it can help to identify valuable areas that these species are using, helping to inform conservation measures.
A number of groups collect marine sightings throughout the UK and are always interested to know what you have seen. If you have seen a porpoise, dolphin, whale, shark, seal or even a jellyfish, use these pages to find out where to report your sightings!
Tell your local Wildlife Trust about your sighting!
Find your local Trust here to report your sighting through their website. If your local Trust does not collect sightings, then there are a number of local and/or national groups that you can report it to:
Whales, dolphins and porpoises
If you have spotted a whale, dolphin or porpoise, these records can be submitted to the Sea Watch Foundation.
Basking sharks
If you have spotted a basking shark, you can report it The Wildlife Trusts’ Basking Shark Project.
Seals
Seal sightings can be reported to The Cornwall Seal Group (for those in Cornwall and the South West), which also provides information on how to tell which species you may have spotted. For all other sightings please report them to your local Wildlife Trust.
Jellyfish and turtles
Jellyfish or turtle sightings can be reported to the Marine Conservation Society.
If you would like help identifying what you have seen or would like to find out how to safely watch marine wildlife from a boat, you can download our Green Marine Wildlife Guide, produced in conjunction with the RYA Green Blue or go to the RYA Green Blue website for more information.
