Môr Mammals
This project aimed to learn “Môr” about the marine mammals using our local MPAs (West Wales Marine Special Area of Conservation & Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation).
Image of a Risso’s dolphin taken by Sea Trust
Grey Seal and pup taken by Sea Trust Volunteer
Harbour Porpoise image taken by Sea Trust volunteers.
Our research project, Môr Mammals, ran from September 2025 to March 2026. The project, funded by the Welsh Government’s Marine Protected Areas Network Management Grant Scheme, built on our long-term Harbour porpoise photo ID research, developed our Grey seal photo ID research, and allowed us to explore Risso’s dolphins’ sightings within North Pembrokeshire.
Harbour porpoises are a priority species for conservation, but are lacking in population data for North Pembrokeshire. We continued to work with our incredible Citizen Scientist Volunteers to collect data on our resident porpoises, through photo identification. We also started to create a Risso’s dolphin photo ID catalogue, aiming to work with other UK Risso’s projects. Finally, we started seal monitoring surveys, ID research, and pup counts. The project also invested in a snazzy new camera set-up to improve our chances of photo identification.
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