If you see a whale, dolphin, porpoise or sea turtle, the Vancouver Aquarium wants to know.
The aquarium's sightings network has a hotline set up at 1-866-I-SAW-ONE, for people to call whenever they spot a resident cetacean.
"The Vancouver Aquarium's B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network relies on the participation of the public to help gather information that is being provided to scientists across the province," explained Caitlin Birdsall, program co-ordinator. "We use the information to monitor the species' movements and activities along B.C.'s expansive coastline to better understand their behaviours and help inform important research, conservation and recovery actions."
Birdsall said some species are easily identifiable, such as killer whales with their distinctive white and black markings, but other species are more difficult to distinguish.
To help, a printable species ID guide has been posted at www.wildwhales.org/identifying-species.
The guide has pictures of common cetaceans as well as specific things to look for like body shape, colour, behaviours and group size to help determine which species was seen.
If you do see a whale, dolphin, porpoise or sea turtle the aquarium wants six specific pieces of information. They want to know where the sighting was, what time it was, what species was seen, how many animals were sighted, what the animal was doing and the distance from the viewer to the animal.
The aquarium also asks people to take photos or videos of sightings when possible. Observers can report their sightings by calling 1-866-I-SAW-ONE (1-866-472-9663) or online at www.wildwhales.org.
It is estimated that B.C.'s coastline is home to approximately 18 different species of cetaceans including the killer whale, harbour porpoise, pacific white-sided dolphin and two species of sea turtles.
"Six of these species are either endangered or threatened," said Birdsall. "When analyzed, these sighting reports help researchers better understand cetacean habitat and are used to educate boaters and coastal citizens about the threats these species face in their natural habitats."
