ORCA OceanWatchers

Project Overview:

ORCA OceanWatchers is a citizen science whale and dolphin monitoring programme, centred around ORCA’s surveying app. The online training course, along with the OceanWatchers app (available on iPhone and Android) will enable everyone and anyone to collect effort-based data about whales, dolphins and porpoises. This data is used to further monitor important habitats and identify hotspots, so researchers can continue to drive policy and help create protected areas to safeguard these amazing animals for the future.

Program Partners

ORCA

Location

Expected Time Frame

Citizen Science activity parameters listed above are flexible and negotiable.

Background:

ORCA has been monitoring whale and dolphin populations for over two decades, collecting data from various ocean habitats to understand the threats these species face. By engaging citizen scientists, the organisation has expanded its data collection capabilities, enabling the inclusion of more remote and diverse locations. ORCA’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity allows people from all backgrounds to play an active role in marine conservation efforts.

Mission:

The mission of ORCA OceanWatchers is to engage everyone in meaningful scientific research to protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises worldwide. By equipping citizen scientists with tools and training, ORCA empowers communities to contribute to conservation efforts and help protect our marine environments.

Data Impact:

ORCA can be found at some of the most important whale and dolphin conservation forums globally, aiming to give authoritative voice to the data and use it to argue for change and protection where it is needed. ORCA provides expert advice on current and high-risk conservation issues to numerous governments and conservation bodies. They act as key advisors and contributors on the national and international stage and sit on numerous expert panels, scientific advisory groups, and various coalitions. All data collected will contribute to ORCA’s data portal and can be used by anyone for conservation upon submitting a data request. More information about how the OceanWatchers data is used can be found in ORCA’s State of Cetaceans reports (2024: https://cdn2.assets-servd.host/orca-web/production/images/ORCA_The-State-of-Cetaceans_2024.pdf?dm=1718621685)

In its first year alone, the SeaKeepers fleet reported more than 440 individual whales, dolphins, and porpoises — a powerful demonstration of community-driven science in action.

Relevant/Previous Scientific Publication(s):

> The State of Cetaceans

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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