Record Marine Life Sightings

The seas around the Channel Islands contain a rich diversity of marine species including marine plants, fish, a vast array of invertebrates and marine mammals. While we are very aware of the presence, populations and health of some species, especially those with an edible value such as lobster, mackerel and bass there are others of which much less is known to us.

Primary among these are the marine mammals including dolphins, whales and seals but there are other occasional visitors to our waters whose presence or absence has not in the past been clearly recorded. Two major examples are the Basking Shark and the Sun fish which have both in historic times been recorded around the island and have in recent years been spotted off the island and the south west coast of England.

In order to gain a better understanding of the numbers, movements and behaviour of these animals and the frequency of their visits to our waters the Societe Jersiaise is collating sightings from May 2009 onwards. Your sightings can be recorded on the online form at http://www.societe-jersiaise.org/marine-biology/report-a-marine-life-sighting.html or using the download version at http://www.societe-jersiaise.org/resources/download-document/marine-life-sightings-form.html which can be emailed back to this address This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or printed out and mailed to: Marine Life Project, 27 Ocean Apartments, West Mount Road, St Helier, JE2 3LP.

Please include as much detail as possible in the form and any photos you have but if you are uncertain of any of the requested information, it is better to leave it blank than take a guess. All information you submit will be collated and published back on this website within three months of submission as well as being shared with the States of Jersey and French and British research groups.

If you would like to learn more, become involved with the project or the Marine Section please contact Nick Jouault at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it