Devon's marine creatures recorded

A national record of marine life which can be seen off the coast of Devon is being collated.

Volunteers will spend more than 100 hours at Berry Head near Brixham over the next week to record any sightings.

Devon's coast is home to many different species of sea life, but there are fears some are under threat.

The National Whale and Dolphin Watch is compiling the data to monitor the situation and it will publish the information in about six months.

Nigel Smallbones from the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust said it was a big commitment for volunteers, who would spend many hours looking out to sea, but it was an essential task.

Berry Head is well known for harbour porpoises and it is hoped volunteers will be able to find out more about their habits.

Last month hundreds of short-beaked common dolphins, more commonly found in warmer seas, were seen in the Moray Firth in Scotland, while in May a large pod of the rare Risso's dolphins was spotted off the Cornish coast between Penlee Point and Mounts Bay.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Sea Watch: National Whale and Dolphin Watch
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
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