People are being encouraged to get out over the next few days and help a major marine project.

Sea Watch Foundation’s nine-day National Whale and Dolphin Watch (NWDW) has begun swimmingly having seen hundreds of sightings of myriad marine animals in UK waters since Saturday

Members of the public have been out and about throughout the country making reports and taking photos of a large variety of species of dolphin and whale, ranging from the common harbour porpoise to the less so humpback whale.

The foundation aims to inform and educate the public about cetacean populations nationally, the threats they face and to improve the conservation of these populations.

The NWDW helps the charity to record numbers of the inhabiting whales and dolphins in UK seas as well as drawing attention to conservation efforts, while enlightening people into the wonderful world of whale and dolphin watching.

Getting involved in this year’s watch will not only benefit the foundation in collecting valuable data but it’s also a perfect opportunity for people get out and have a bit of fun.

“It’s really easy” says Kathy James, Sightings Officer for Sea Watch Foundation.

“No experience is necessary, you just need to download a watch form from our website, record the environmental conditions every fifteen minutes and watch for at least an hour”.

Simply record a few simple details such as species, estimated number and location details and head to www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/sightingsform

The next local watch events include locations such as Durlston Country Park, Weymouth Harbour and Portland Bill. Dates and times can be found at www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-events-in-dorset/

Some Dorset spotters have been fortunate enough to uncover some of the mysteries of Dorset waters during the NWDW. A great variety of cetacean species have been recently reported around te country including the harbour porpoise, Risso’s dolphin, common dolphin and the humpback whale.

Visit www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw/