This 2021 report builds upon the first four editions and includes new analyses sections and contributors. In particular, this publication looks at how citizen science can be used to better understand why in recent years more common dolphins have been observed inshore around the coast of West Scotland and the Hebrides.

We continue to showcase the work that our Wildlife Officers have done over many years in the in the North Sea, English Channel, Celtic Sea, Bay of Biscay and the Hebrides. Collecting data almost every single day, for up to nine months of the year, providing a treasure trove of data.

We’ve summarised this data and in 2019 the Wildlife Officers covered an incredible 76,565 km of survey effort over five sea regions and recording 3,651 cetacean encounters, of which 2,662 were identified to species level, totalling 17,060 individual animals. Work continues using this data to map areas of importance for our European cetaceans.

Another important part of this report is an examination of the multiple and growing threats facing whales, dolphins and porpoises within UK and European waters.

The wide-ranging and cumulative threats that cetaceans face both on a regional and global scale are highlighted by expert contributors. These include the increasing risk of whales being hit by ships, the devastating consequences of both small and large cetaceans when they become victims of bycatch, the continued barbaric practice of commercial whaling and the growing impact of noise pollution.

Whilst citizen scientists can provide an army of watchful eyes thanks to the (extra) ordinary people who volunteer their free time in the name of science and conservation, we also need a commitment from governments to take swift and decisive action when evidence shows the growing threat to these animals and the habitats in which they live.