Thames Marine Mammal Survey
ZSL asks for people fortunate enough to spot dolphins, porpoises and seals in the Thames to participate in this survey.
Thames Estuary sightings
This map shows current sightings of marine mammals in the Thames Estuary.
- Seal {"lat": 51.503534, "lng": -0.029140}
- Porpoise sighting {"lat": 51.457858, "lng": 0.330620}
- Seal spotted near Blackwall Basin {"lat": 51.501904, "lng": -0.004978}
- Seal sighting near South Quay, Docklands canal {"lat": 51.501597, "lng": -0.016716}
- A colony of seals spotted off Southend Pier {"lat": 51.529785, "lng": 0.716343}
- Seal near Richmond Lock {"lat": 51.463740, "lng": -0.319805}
- Seal seen near Vauxhall Bridge {"lat": 51.487129, "lng": -0.127630}
- Seal spotted near Greenwich Pier {"lat": 51.484055, "lng": -0.011930}
- Seal near Shadwell Basin {"lat": 51.505323, "lng": -0.050812}
- Anthony Laurent {"lat": 51.467483, "lng": 0.292339}
- Anthony Laurent {"lat": 51.467483, "lng": 0.292339}
Marine Mammal Survey
The Thames Marine Mammal Sightings Survey, initiated in June 2004, has been running continuously over the last four years.
The survey is supported from a range of sectors including people who work on and around the Thames, visitors enjoying the sights in central London, anglers and bird watchers on the estuary to organisations such as the Port of London Authority (PLA), Environment Agency (EA), Thames River Police and Port of London Health Authority – all of whom send in sightings and images.
The survey is reliant on input from all these areas and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) would like to acknowledge everyone's support.
Thames Marine Mammal Sightings Update 2010/2011
- September: An even larger colony than August, this time 15 common seals were spotted near Southend Pier. Looks like they may be sticking around the area at the minute, so keep an eye out! We also had a great photo of a harbour porpoise just south of Westminster Bridge.
- November: We have had several reports of seals spotted as far upstream as Canary Wharf, as well as one location further east near Thurrock, Essex, which has yielded several sightings. It would be great to determine whether this is one individual returning repeatedly, so if you happen to spot him, a photo or two would be fantastic. Thanks for your support!
- December: Four separate sightings of a grey seal on the Thames North shore, near Thurrock - thank you Anthony for your regular reports! Anyone in the area keep an eye out, as it seems this seal (or possibly these seals!) are settling in this area. Would be fantastic to have some photos to compliment the growing data set we've got here. We also had an unidentified seal pop up in Canary Wharf around the middle of the month, and just a few days before Christmas a juvenile common seal was sighted as far west as Richmond!
- January: Just the one seal sighting reported - swimming around Millwall docks on the morning of the 31st. Thanks Daniel for being alert enough to get a photo! Keep your eyes peeled and hopefully we'll get a few more next month!
- Feburary: We had a total of 12 sightings this month with both the Common and Grey seal spotted around Millwall and Canary Wharf. We've heard about a seal trying to get a free meal around Billingsgate Market and another playing with some pipe around the Isle of Dogs. Thank you to everyone who sent in photographs.
- March: We only had one sighting come in this month, of a juvenile near the O2 Arena. If anyone's near the O2 or Canary Wharf, keep your eyes open! It'd be great to know whether our resident seals are still there through April. Thank you!
We cannot stress enough how important it is NOT to approach any stranded animals you may come across. Not only is it potentially dangerous to you the public, but may also be harmful to the animal. If you suspect a seal, or any other marine mammal, to be in distress or danger please follow the link below to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue website and follow their instructions, or call either of the listed numbers.
Take part by completing a questionnaire about your sighting
Thames Marine Mammal Sightings 2004-2007
ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey Report 2004-2007 (1.1 MB) ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey Report Appendices 2004-2007 Part 1/2 (1.6 MB) ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Report Appendices 2004-2007 Part 2/2 (3.8 MB)
Links to other recording schemes:
Sealife Signpost is initiative of the MarLIN programme, providing guidance on marine life recording schemes that you can join, and on where to send your sightings of marine species. Sightings can also be reported via their message service. A full list of recording schemes is given at Sealife Signpost
Marine mammals are known to visit the Thames estuary but, until now, sightings have not been formally recorded. This survey is ongoing (since 2004) and will address this information gap.
Data collected will help to develop patterns and trends in species distribution, behaviour and habitat use. Findings will also be fed into national databases.
Our survey is operating in the tidal Thames area, between Teddington upriver to Shoeburyness and Sheerness in the outer estuary.
Take part by completing a questionnaire about your sighting
