ORCA Oceanwatchers 1.4.0

ORCA is a charitable organization dedicated to the preservation of marine mammals in the UK and Europe, leveraging citizen science to enhance the safety of whales and dolphins. Their latest initiative features an innovative smartphone application designed to engage volunteers in active data collection about these remarkable animals.

The ORCA Oceanwatchers program invites volunteers to monitor whales and dolphins along the UK coastline and offshore, contributing important scientific information regarding marine wildlife. Participation requires completion of an online training course, which provides essential knowledge and skills to effectively engage in this citizen science project.

The app allows users to document their sightings, capturing both the species observed and the environmental conditions at the time. Whether observing from coastal cliffs or while out at sea, volunteers can contribute valuable data from various locations.

App Features:

• Facilitates scientific surveys as an ORCA Oceanwatcher, aiding in conservation efforts.
• User-friendly design for easy species identification.
• Simplified interface to ensure the efficient recording of high-quality scientific data.
• Access to survey history for tracking encounters and documenting progress as an Oceanwatcher.
• Comprehensive species guide featuring key details on commonly encountered whale and dolphin species in the UK.

The application is available free of charge; however, registration for an ORCA Oceanwatchers course is required to collect data. Interested individuals can sign up at www.orcaweb.org.uk/train.