Humpback Whale Sightings
Project Overview:
This research project explores the presence of humpback whales in UK and Irish waters, a phenomenon that has been shifting in recent years. The overall goal is to develop a clear understanding of their distribution and occurrence across the region, examining how, where, and why these patterns are changing. This project harnesses the power of citizen science, inviting anyone—whether local communities, wildlife enthusiasts, or organizations—to contribute their sightings, observations, and insights. To facilitate this, a simple survey has been designed to efficiently collect sighting data, helping to identify trends and patterns. Additionally, a comprehensive dataset has been compiled, incorporating all reported humpback whale sightings across the UK and Ireland. Together, this collective data will provide a clearer understanding of humpback whale populations and their behaviour along these coastlines.
Program Partners
- University of Exeter
Location
- United Kingdom & Irish Waters
Expected Time Frame
- Ongoing
Citizen Science activity parameters listed above are flexible and negotiable.
Background:
Humpback whales are known for their long migrations between tropical breeding grounds and colder feeding areas, including UK and Irish waters. While their populations have recovered globally due to international protection measures, little is known about the specific populations and behaviors of humpbacks in the UK and Ireland. Recently, reported sightings have increased across this region, sparking interest in whether these whales are part of a growing local population or just passing through.
However, long-term accessible datasets that focus on sightings across both the UK and Ireland are not readily available. This project seeks to address this gap by using citizen science to compile and analyse sightings, providing crucial insights into the whales’ distribution, feeding habitats, and migratory patterns. By involving local communities, the project aims to contribute to marine conservation efforts and inform future research and policy decisions to protect these marine mammals.
Mission:
The mission of this project is to compile and analyze reported sightings of humpback whales in UK waters, piecing together data to create a clearer understanding of their population distribution, behavior, and seasonal movements.
Data Impact:
By encouraging public participation, the project aims to gather crucial scientific data and raise awareness about the importance of marine ecosystems and the conservation of humpback whales. Researchers from the University of Exeter aim to use generalized sighting data to estimate the number and demographic structure of humpbacks visiting UK and Irish waters. They aim to map humpbacks’ seasonal and geographical distribution to identify key trends, such as significant feeding/breeding grounds, migrations, and long-term changes in localized occurrence. This will help us better understand these magnificent creatures and support efforts to protect them in our waters.
Relevant/Previous Scientific Publication(s):
How to Participate:
Please email Director of International Relations Gill Rodrigues at gill@seakeepers.org or UK Program Assistant Vicky Neild at vicky@seakeepers.org to participate.
Program Partners:
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