If you’re out and happen to see harbor porpoises or harbor seals, let us know!
Become a Citizen Scientist and help us build a better picture of where harbor porpoises and harbor seals are going in the Salish Sea.
Becoming a Citizen Scientist is easy! Just click to download our Citizen Scientist Sighting Sheet*, head outside and start looking for harbor porpoises or harbor seals!
Before you start, you may want to watch our step-by-step Citizen Scientist Training Video where Research Director Dr. Cindy Elliser walks you through how to fill out your Sighting Sheet.
*If you are observing at our primary field location of Burrows Pass, Washington Park (Anacortes), download this sheet which is specifically for that location.
Basic Instructions for Recording Marine Mammal Sightings:
- If you can, snap a picture. This can be tricky, but if you manage it we might even be able to identify the animals you saw!
- Take note of the date, time, and location where you saw the animals. Make sure to record the species of animal you saw.
- Record environmental conditions at the time of the sighting if possible (e.g. temperature, sun/cloud cover, sea state, tidal state, etc.)
- Note whether the porpoises or seals you observed were engaged in any specific behaviors (e.g. wake-surfing, foraging, etc.).
- If you can, estimate numbers of porpoises or seals observed.
Once your observation is complete, send your photos and/or sighting information to us via email at cindy.elliser@pacmam.org