Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
Record Sightings and Strandings
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) collect and validate records on cetaceans and marine turtles in waters around Ireland and Northern Ireland. The IWDG operate a number of citizen science recording schemes including:
IWDG Sightings Scheme
This scheme collects casual sightings of cetaceans and marine turtles from members of the public. Recent sightings are mapped on their website so that you can see what has been seen recently in your area. You can submit your sightings online via the IWDG website.
IWDG Strandings Scheme
This scheme collects records of stranded cetaceans and marine turtles from members of the public. Recent strandings are mapped on their website so that you can see what has been found recently in your area. You can submit your strandings online via the IWDG website.
The IWDG also operate a number other cetacean surveys using citizen scientists including a Constant Effort Recording Scheme and line transect surveys for cetaceans on board commercial car ferries across the Irish Sea.
The IWDG work closely with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, regularly submitting validated sightings and strandings data. To date IWDG have submitted 15,410 records which are mapped via our Biodiversity Mapping System. The IWDG also contributed text and data to the 2015 Atlas of Mammals in Ireland.
