Analysis of Cetacean Sightings Data & Feasibility of Mobile App Development

Client:   SeaTrust
Region of Interest:  Irish Sea
Start Date:  September 2017
Staff Members: 

Habitat Info reviewed recent sightings data of porpoises and other cetaceans recorded off Strumble Head near Fishguard.

This vantage point overlooks a prime site for Harbour Porpoise as they forage in the tidal races.

We spent a really enjoyable day watching the sights and were lucky enough to have a rare sighting of the larger Risso’s Dolphin offshore.

We conducted various tests of the raptor mobile app to position sightings and estimate distance offshore and bearing which were found to be reliable with errors of 9-11% in the distance estimate. This means that a simple app development could help enormously to improve the accuracy of the placement of sightings which will enable the team to conduct useful assessments of habitat especially relevant with the proposals for underwater tidal generators.