Sea Watch Foundation Marine Megafauna Sightings: 1971 to present

Sampling event
Versão mais recente published by Sea Watch Foundation on mar 5, 2025 Sea Watch Foundation
Publication date:
5 de março de 2025
Published by:
Sea Watch Foundation
Licença:
CC-BY-NC 4.0

Baixe a última versão do recurso de dados, como um Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) ou recurso de metadados, como EML ou RTF:

Dados como um arquivo DwC-A download 196.822 registros em English (23 MB) - Frequência de atualização: atualmente
Metadados como um arquivo EML download em English (39 KB)
Metadados como um arquivo RTF download em English (31 KB)

Descrição

The Sea Watch Foundation has been collecting both effort-based and non-effort-based sightings data of marine mammals and other megafauna since the late 1960s. The main area of coverage is the waters around Britain and Ireland but with some surveys elsewhere. Data come from platforms ranging from small to large vessels either on dedicated survey or platforms of opportunity, and from coastal land sites. Data collected include environmental conditions, marine traffic, and seabird associations. Sighting records come from all types of marine user from marine mammal biologists to citizen scientists and members of the public. All sightings are checked, and species ID validated from still or video images and/or descriptions, except in those cases where persons are known, experienced, observers.

Registros de Dados

Os dados deste recurso de evento de amostragem foram publicados como um Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), que é o formato padronizado para compartilhamento de dados de biodiversidade como um conjunto de uma ou mais tabelas de dados. A tabela de dados do núcleo contém 196.822 registros.

Também existem 2 tabelas de dados de extensão. Um registro de extensão fornece informações adicionais sobre um registro do núcleo. O número de registros em cada tabela de dados de extensão é ilustrado abaixo.

Event (core)
196822
ExtendedMeasurementOrFact 
1785721
Occurrence 
232694

This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.

Versões

A tabela abaixo mostra apenas versões de recursos que são publicamente acessíveis.

Como citar

Pesquisadores deveriam citar esta obra da seguinte maneira:

Sea Watch Foundation non effort-related sightings database. Accessed on –INSERT DATE-

Direitos

Pesquisadores devem respeitar a seguinte declaração de direitos:

O editor e o detentor dos direitos deste trabalho é Sea Watch Foundation. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC 4.0) License.

GBIF Registration

Este recurso não foi registrado pelo GBIF

Palavras-chave

marine mammals; marine megafauna; cetaceans; pinnipeds; seals; whales; dolphins; porpoises; sharks; sea turtles; sunfish; visual observation; Samplingevent

Contatos

James Waggitt
Simone Evans
  • Originador
The archive for marine species and habitats data (DASSH)
James Waggitt
  • Pesquisador Principal
  • Lecturer in Marine Biology/Ecology
Bangor University
Bangor
GB

Cobertura Geográfica

Sea Watch Foundation calculated BBOX > station Bounding Box

Coordenadas delimitadoras Sul Oeste [49,01, -11,16], Norte Leste [61, 2,5]

Cobertura Taxonômica

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137084

Espécie Phoca vitulina (Harbour Seal)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:159019

Espécie Pagophilus groenlandicus (Harp seal)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:159023

Espécie Eubalaena glacialis (North Atlantic right whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:2688

Infraordem Cetacea (Cetacean species)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:987094

Superfamília Chelonioidea (Unknown Turtle)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137205

Espécie Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Turtle)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:368408


urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137094

Espécie Delphinus delphis (Common dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137020

Gênero Lagenorhynchus (white beaked/white sided dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:105801

Espécie Prionace glauca (Blue Shark)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137115

Espécie Delphinapterus leucas (Beluga)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137119

Espécie Physeter macrocephalus (Sperm whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137080

Espécie Halichoerus grypus (Grey seal)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137086

Espécie Balaena mysticetus (Bowhead whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:125565

Família Sphyrnidae (Hammerhead Sharks)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137104

Espécie Pseudorca crassidens (False killer whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137111

Espécie Tursiops truncatus (Bottlenose dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137088

Espécie Balaenoptera borealis (Sei whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:1464505

Família Otariinae (Sea Lion)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137113

Espécie Kogia breviceps (Pygmy sperm whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137087

Espécie Balaenoptera acutorostrata (Minke whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:136980

Família Delphinidae (Dolphin species)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:136980

Família Delphinidae (Common / striped dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137098

Espécie Grampus griseus (Risso’s dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:105744

Gênero Lamna (Porbeagle Shark)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137102

Espécie Orcinus orca (Killer whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137107

Espécie Stenella coeruleoalba (Striped dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:136980

Família Delphinidae (Patterned dolphin species)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:148736

Infraordem Pinnipedia (Seal species)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137209

Espécie Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback Turtle)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:2688

Infraordem Cetacea (Large whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:105836

Espécie Alopias vulpinus (Thresher shark)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137101

Espécie Lagenorhynchus albirostris (White-beaked dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137117

Espécie Phocoena phocoena (Harbour porpoise)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:2688

Infraordem Cetacea (Unknown Small Whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:343899

Espécie Hyperoodon ampullatus (Northern bottlenose whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137092

Espécie Megaptera novaeangliae (Humpback whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137121

Espécie Mesoplodon bidens (Sowerby’s beaked whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137127

Espécie Ziphius cavirostris (Cuvier’s beaked whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137097

Espécie Globicephala melas (Long-finned pilot whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:105837

Espécie Cetorhinus maximus (Basking Shark)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137096

Espécie Globicephala macrorhynchus (Short-finned Pilot Whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137103

Espécie Peponocephala electra (Melon-headed whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:127405

Espécie Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:126065

Gênero Thunnini (Tuna)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:159025

Espécie Kogia sima (Dwarf sperm whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137091

Espécie Balaenoptera physalus (Fin whale)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137100

Espécie Lagenorhynchus acutus (Atlantic white-sided dolphin)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137034

Gênero Mesoplodon (Beaked whale species)

urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137013

Gênero Balaenoptera (Fin/Sei whale)

Cobertura Temporal

Data Inicial / Data final 1971-02-20 / 2024-12-30

Métodos de Amostragem

Two types of data are supplied: Casual sightings and effort-related land watches. 1) Casual sightings of cetaceans and other non-cetacean species are typically conducted by observers who record sightings opportunistically, rather than through a structured survey method and are usually spontaneous and unplanned. This is often done by staff members, members of the public, researchers, or marine enthusiasts, and involves documenting the presence of animals when encountered during routine activities, such as boating, fishing, or coastal observation. Recording Data • Basic information: Observers generally record the species (if identifiable), the number of individuals, the location (using GPS or geographic landmarks), and the date and time. • Environmental conditions: In some cases, people also note the weather conditions, sea state, and the behaviour of the cetaceans (feeding, traveling, etc.). • Photographic evidence: Observers may take photographs or videos to document the sighting, which can help confirm species identification. Reporting • Casual sightings get reported to us either via our Sea Watcher app, website, email, forms or Excel. 2) Effort-based land watches are structured surveys conducted to systematically monitor cetacean activity along the UK coastline. These watches are carried out by trained observers (staff, volunteers or members of the public) who adhere to a set schedule and methodology to ensure consistency and comparability of the data. The primary objective is to document cetacean presence, behaviour, and environmental conditions over time. These watches can be fixed-point - or walking surveys. • Fixed point - is a static watch with one position, start and end times. Most land-based watches fall in this category, but also includes watches from fixed platforms at sea. May also include estimated range and bearing data. • Walking surveys (via APP) - Observations made during a walk along a stretch of coast. In this case continuous scanning of the sea isn't possible as you do with a dedicated search and more of a casual observation is made. Time, duration and environmental conditions are still recorded, as well as the track (using the GPS from the smartphone APP). Survey Method • Timing and Duration: Watches can be undertaken at any time of day or time. However, lighting conditions are often at their most favourable in the early morning or late afternoon or evening. • Location: Observations are made from coastal vantage points, selected for their wide field of view and accessibility. These sites are often located on headlands or other elevated locations to maximize visibility of the surrounding sea. • Environmental conditions: Watches are best conducted on calm days when there is little surface turbulence, and especially no white caps. • Method: The best way is to continually scan the sea surface with the naked eye, interspersed at intervals with binoculars or telescope. Recording Data • Effort data: At the start of each watch, the observer records their location (using GPS or geographic references), the date, start and end times, and observer details. • Environmental conditions: Weather information, including sea state (Beaufort scale) and visibility, is recorded at the beginning and at regular intervals (10 min-15min ideally) or if conditions change significantly. • Sighting data: For each cetacean sighting, observers note the species (if identifiable), the number of individuals, group size, behaviour (e.g., feeding, traveling), distance and bearing from the observer’s location, and any notable interactions. If the species cannot be positively identified, it is categorized (e.g., dolphin species or whale species). • Photographic evidence: Whenever possible, observers may take photographs or videos to support species identification or behaviour analysis. Reporting • Data submission: Observers can either record information via the Sea Watcher APP, on Sea Watch recording forms, or on Excel forms.

Área de Estudo SWF maintains databases of marine mammal and megafauna sighting numbers and locations, acoustic recordings, photographs, and associated effort for the waters all around the British Isles, over the period 1968 – present. Frequency of collection is all year round.
Controle de Qualidade Sightings and are collected in a variety of formats (website, forms, social media and mobile app). They are reviewed for species verification, locational errors, sighting replicates, etc, using a combination of error checking algorithms, manual checking and further queries to the observer if needed, and then integrated into the main database. Data are used in peer-reviewed journal publications, commissioned reports, targeted studies, master’s & PhD projects, and to inform UK government and statutory nature conservation agencies, and international conservation agreements.

Descrição dos passos do método:

  1. 1. Sightings reported to or collected by SWF 2. Sightings validated using method described Quality control section 3. Data filtered (only casual and Land-based sightings) and extracted for upload

Citações bibliográficas

  1. Baines, M.E. and Evans, P.G.H. (2009) Atlas of the Marine Mammals of Wales. CCW Monitoring Report No.68. 82pp.
  2. Baines, M.E. and Evans, P.G.H. (2012) Atlas of the Marine Mammals of Wales. 2nd Edition. CCW Monitoring Report No. 68. 143pp.
  3. Evans, P.G.H. (1976) An analysis of sightings of Cetacea in British waters. Mammal Review, 6: 5-14.
  4. Evans, P.G.H. (1980) Cetaceans in British Waters. Mammal Review, 10: 1-52.
  5. Evans, P.G.H. (1992) Status Review of Cetaceans in British and Irish waters. UK Dept. of the Environment, London.
  6. Evans, P.G.H. and Wang, J. (2002) Re-examination of Distribution Data for the Harbour Porpoise around Wales and the UK with a view to site selection for this species. Report for Countryside Council for Wales. 115pp.
  7. Evans, P.G.H. and Waggitt, J.J. (2020) Cetaceans. Pp. 134-184. In: Crawley, D., Coomber, F., Kubasiewicz, L., Harrower, C., Evans, P., Waggitt, J., Smith, B., and Mathews, F. (Editors) Atlas of the Mammals of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Published for The Mammal Society by Pelagic Publishing, Exeter. 205pp.
  8. Evans, P.G.H. and Waggitt, J.J. (2023) Modelled distributions and abundance of cetaceans and seabirds of Wales and surrounding waters. NRW Evidence Report No. 646. 354pp. https://cdn.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/media/696779/modelled-distributions-and-abundance-of-cetaceans-and-seabirds-of-wales-and-surrounding-waters.pdf
  9. Evans, P.G.H., Anderwald, P., and Baines, M.E. (2003) UK Cetacean Status Review. Report to English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales. Sea Watch Foundation, Oxford. 160pp.
  10. Evans, P.G.H., Harding, S., Tyler, G., and Hall, S. (1986) Analysis of Cetacean Sightings in the British Isles, 1958-1985. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough. 71pp.
  11. Evans, P.G.H., Pierce, G.J., Veneruso, G., Weir, C.R., Gibas, D., Anderwald, P., and Santos, M.B. (2015) Analysis of long-term effort-related land-based observations to identify whether coastal areas of harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin have persistent high occurrence and abundance. JNCC Report No: 543. 147pp.
  12. Reid, J.B., Evans, P.G.H. and Northridge, S.P. (2003) Atlas of Cetacean Distribution in North-west European Waters. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. 76pp.
  13. Waggitt, J.J., Evans, P.G.H., Andrade, J., Banks, A.N., Boisseau, O., Bolton, M., Bradbury, G., et al. (2020) Distribution maps of cetacean and seabird populations in the North-East Atlantic. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57: 253-269. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13525

Metadados Adicionais

Descrição da manutenção New batches of data will be published on a yearly basis with new sightings received and validated.
Identificadores alternativos https://www.dassh.ac.uk/ipt/resource?r=seawatchfoundation_marine_megafauna_sightings_1971_to_present