British Columbia’s convoluted coastline is home to twenty-three species of cetaceans and two species of sea turtles. Nine of these are at risk of extinction. To conserve these species, it’s crucial to learn more about their distribution and habitat use. It’s impossible for researchers to monitor these coastal waters year-round without help from the public.
In 1999, the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network was established to gather sightings of these species from a network of mariners and coastal citizens. Since then, the BCCSN has received thousands of sightings from hundreds of observers up and down the coast. These data have been shared with researchers and conservation groups, and COSEWIC has used them in status assessments and recovery planning.
Our goal is to increase public awareness of B.C. cetaceans and sea turtles and the threats to their survival. You can help by reporting the animals you see in B.C. waters.
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