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Volunteers flock to aid cetacean research
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A whale and dolphin research group was thrilled by a sell-out reaction to its sightings training course - and now plans to repeat the programme.
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Forty-seven potential volunteers, a full-capacity crowd, gathered at Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium on 13 January to learn about marine mammal and seabird monitoring methods, mainly from large vessels
Marinelife, a national marine conservation research charity, runs as its major project the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme. Teams observe and record cetaceans from the decks of two Biscay ferries, on the Portsmouth to Bilbao and Plymouth to Santander routes, courtesy of P&O and Brittany Ferries respectively
The NMA, as a regular promoter of marine education, conservation and research, put its facilities at the disposal of the trainees, who came mainly from across southern England.
'They had a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, from accomplished whale and dolphin observers to those who had an interest in whales and dolphins but had never seen them before,' Adrian Shephard, Marinelife PR and Publicity Officer, told Divernet.
'A number were also members of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, extending their interest and concern for cetaceans by looking to participate with ongoing research
Marinelife works as part of the Atlantic Research Coalition, which collates the work of several groups engaged in similar work in different geographical areas, and acts as a forum for the scientists and volunteers involved.
Following the success of its Plymouth event, Marinelife aims to run a similar course in Southampton on 18 March.
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