A scene showing an underwater/surface split with a moon jellyfish below the water and scenes of Loch Leven's surrounding hills above. The sky is thick with cloud.

Wildlife sightings

We want to hear about the wildlife you spot at the coast and at sea, especially marine turtles and jellyfish in UK and Irish waters.

    Since 2003, citizen scientists have been reporting jellyfish and turtle sightings in UK waters. This provides our scientists with vital information to learn more about our ocean visitors and protect marine wildlife.

    Whether you live by the coast or visit the seaside on your holidays, we want you to tell us every time you spot a jellyfish. Or, if you're lucky enough to spot a turtle, we want to hear about that too. Your sightings provide vital information about our ocean's inhabitants and contributes to scientific research which finds solutions to protect our seas.

    It’s really easy to tell us what you have seen, just fill in the online sightings form including where you were and what species you saw. Don’t worry, we’ve made ID guides so you can identify which species you’ve spotted!

    Why your sightings matter

    Without your data, we wouldn't be able to prove that our ocean is facing problems and our push for solutions wouldn't be backed by science. It's a key part of our work and you can play a vital role in protecting our oceans.

    We use your wildlife sightings to:

    1. Discover how jellyfish and turtle populations are changing around the UK – specifically when and where they are occurring each year.
    2. Investigate trends in turtle sightings to find out more about how they use our waters.
    3. Explore whether jellyfish distribution can tell us more about where leatherback turtle feeding grounds may be.

    A moon jellyfish  |  Image credit: Paul Naylor

    Jellyfish sightings

    Jellyfish are a great indicator of change in our ocean. Check out our jellyfish guide to help you verify what species you saw and report a sighting to us.

    An underwater photograph of a large, translucent compass jellyfish with brown markings and long tentacles swimming towards the surface, backlit by sun rays.

    Jellyfish ID

    Jellyfish occur throughout UK seas, Here are some top tips and identifying features to help you work out which species you've spotted.
    A compass jellyfish swimming near the surface of clear blue water, it is being partially reflected back from the surface making it seem like the surface is a mirror

    Report a jellyfish sighting

    Your sightings contribute to marine research and are essential to monitor jellyfish populations around the UK. Let us know what jellyfish you have seen.
    A large lion's mane jellyfish with a reddish-brown bell and long, white, flowing tentacles, swimming in green-lit water.

    Jellyfish quiz

    How well do you know these incredible invertebrates? Put your jellyfish ID skills to the test and learn some fun facts along the way.

    Marine turtle sightings

    There are six marine turtles that you might see in our waters. Check out our marine turtle guide to help determine which one you saw before reporting it to us.

    Make sure to follow the turtle code when seeing a turtle.

    A green sea turtle swimming along the Great Barrier Reef off Australia. The turtle is looking and swimming toward the camera.

    Marine turtle ID

    Unsure what turtle you have seen? Our ID guide contains helpful hints and interesting facts.
    An Olive Ridley sea turtle swimming just below the ocean surface. Its refelction can be partically seen above it.

    Report a turtle sighting

    We're interested in hearing about the marine turtles you spot around the UK & Ireland. Your UK sea turtle sightings are used to gain valuable insights into the health of our ocean.
    A loggerhead turtle swimming along the seabed. Behind it is a diver.

    Check the Turtle Code

    Make certain you follow our Turtle Code which tells you what to do if you come across a turtle on the shore. It also includes a turtle ID guide.

    Citizen science to the rescue

    All the information you collect builds a clearer picture of the health of our seas and life below the surface. It enables scientists to spot changes over time. We can use this research to inform policies and introduce conservation strategies to better protect our ocean.

    We publish your wildlife sighting data with our university partners. This gives us baseline knowledge that we can use to track future changes which could indicate the impacts of major environmental issues, like climate change.

    While humans are causing problems for marine wildlife, we can also provide the conservation solutions – but we must be informed by data. That's where you come in!

    A person in a red jacket and purple beanie is using black binoculars, with another person in a teal jacket partially visible nearby. They are on a boat.

    A person looking out to sea with binoculars  |  Image credit: Paul Campbell

    An underwater photograph of a large, translucent compass jellyfish with brown markings and long tentacles swimming towards the surface, backlit by sun rays.

    Dive into the data

    Check out how your wildlife sighting contributions are making a difference and what species you saw the most.

    Read more

    Other citizen science projects to try

    A woman in a yellow jumper holding up a plastic bottle to the camera using a litter picker. She is in front of the river at Festival Pier, London

    Do an in-land clean

    No matter where you live across the UK, you can help keep our seas clean. Most of the litter that ends up on our beaches or in the sea starts its journey in villages, towns and cities miles from the coast.
    A male using a litter picker to pick up a plastic bottle on a beach. A Marine Conservation Society banner is to the right of the man.

    Find a beach clean

    Join one of our beach clean surveys and help keep Britain's beaches beautiful and our ocean safe for wildlife.
    Two women, participating in the Big Seaweed Search, are crouched on a rocky, seaweed-covered shore near the ocean. One woman holds a clipboard and points at something on the ground, while the other looks down at her hand.

    Big Seaweed Search

    Help identify, photograph and record 14 key UK seaweed species to help understand the impact of environmental change on our seas.

    Check out the wildlife A-Z

    Learn about our amazing local species