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The North East Cetacean Project (NECP) aimed to
generate up-to-date information on the status of cetaceans off the
Northumberland coastline and beyond, including the coastal areas
around Whitby, Bridlington and Scarborough.
We are particularly interested in the White-beaked Dolphin, a cold
water species which is threatened with warming sea temperatures
brought about through climate change. The cold, deep waters of the
North Sea are suspected to be an important area for this dolphin
species, but current data is lacking. Other important species
regularly recorded off the North East cost include Bottlenose
Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise, Minke Whale, whilst rarer species
recorded have included Pilot Whale, Common Dolphin and
Humpback Whale.
Thanks initially to funding from Natural England and the
Tyneside Bird Club a winter survey of the Farne Deeps and
surrounding waters for White-beaked Dolphins and other marine
animals was undertaken and a report compiled with historic
sightings information.
Research work continues to develop and is coordinated by Martin
Kitching, the MARINElife Regional Officer for the North East. The
project continues to grow and has extended into Yorkshire
and Lincolnshire. We have developed partnerships with a range of
organisations including the local Wildlife Trusts.
We urgently need your help to continue collecting
sightings through a postcard scheme and dedicated website.
To record sightings for the NECP project please click here to download the Sightings Postcard pdf.
Click here access the North East Cetacean Project website.
To access the latest North East cetacean sightings, click here.
A report of the project can be downloaded from here.